Forget Fades — the Side Part Is the Real Power Move

The Side Part with a Taper Fade seamlessly blends classic elegance with contemporary style. This haircut combines a traditional side part with a gradual taper along the sides and back, providing a polished yet modern appearance. The top is typically kept at medium length for versatility in styling, while the fade adds a clean, structured look. This style is ideal for individuals with straight to wavy hair textures and is well-suited for oval and rectangular face shapes. The Taper Fade’s adaptability makes it suitable for both professional settings and casual occasions, adding sophistication to any outfit.

Best For

Oval or rectangular face shapes with straight or wavy hair benefit most, providing a balanced and stylish appearance.

What to Tell Your Barber

Request a medium taper fade with a defined side part. Specify the fade length and ask for more volume at the top for styling flexibility.

The Best Hair Products for Side Part

Use pomade or matte clay to create a polished finish and maintain the side part’s structure throughout the day.

Side Part with Hard Part

The Side Part with a Hard Part is an artistic twist on the classic side part, offering a bold and defined look. The hard part is a shaved line that accentuates the division in the hair, providing sharp contrast and clean lines. This style suits medium to thick hair types and adds a modern touch suitable for both business and leisure settings. Keeping the hair length moderate allows for ample styling options, including slicked-back or more textured volumes. The Hard Part attracts attention with its precise definition, making it a fashion-forward choice for style-conscious individuals.

Best For

Best for square or angular face shapes, this style tames thick, medium-length hair, highlighting facial features elegantly.

How to Maintain It

Regular trims every 2-3 weeks are essential to maintain the sharpness of the hard part. Consider using moisturizers to prevent scalp irritation.

How To Ask For a Side Part Haircut

Specify the width and position of the hard part for precision. Request a slight fade to complement the sharpness of the part.

Side Part with Undercut

The Side Part with an Undercut is a daring and contrasting hairstyle that pairs a sleek side part on top with a dramatic undercut below. This style features short to buzzed sides and back, highlighting the distinctive separation from the longer, more styled top. It’s ideally suited for straight to wavy hair types and provides a stylish flair for round and heart-shaped faces by creating an illusion of length. The Undercut’s dramatic contrast against the side part offers a trendy, edgy appearance that stands out in any social setting.

Best For

Round or heart-shaped faces benefit from the extended length on top. It visually elongates the face for an edgy look.

Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid leaving too much length on the top if the hair is thin, as this can make the undercut look disproportionate.

How to Make It Your Own

Experiment with the length on top to create different volume levels, creating custom looks specific to your personal style.

Side Part with Pompadour

The Side Part with Pompadour elevates the classic side part by introducing significant volume and height. The pompadour style involves rolling the hair back and up from the forehead, while the sides remain neatly parted. Ideal for those with thick, straight hair, this style complements oval and heart-shaped faces, accentuating height and facial symmetry. It’s a statement look that exudes confidence and charisma, making it a favorite for formal occasions and night outings. Mastering the pompadour requires some styling skill but rewards those who do with a head-turning look.

Best For

Ideal for oval or heart-shaped faces with thick, straight hair, enhancing facial symmetry and height.

How to Maintain It

Use a strong-hold styling gel or pomade to keep the pompadour’s structure throughout the day, especially in humid conditions.

Products That Work Well

Volumizing mousse and high-hold hairspray can offer additional lift and durability to the pompadour for all-day staying power.

Side Part with Textured Top

The Side Part with Textured Top offers a relaxed, lived-in look while maintaining the elegance of the classic side part. This style keeps the sides shorter while adding layers and movement to the top. Suitable for straight to wavy hair types, it provides flexibility and volume without looking overly styled. It’s an ideal choice for those with long or oblong face shapes looking for a balanced hairstyle that doesn’t require extensive styling efforts. The Textured Top brings a modern, approachable vibe that can be dressed up or down based on the occasion.

Best For

Long or oblong face shapes with straight to wavy hair types benefit from added volume and dimension.

What to Tell Your Barber

Request layers on the top for added texture and volume. Keep the sides neatly trimmed to maintain the shape.

How to Make It Your Own

Vary the length of the top layers, enhancing personalization and versatility. A beachy spray can also add extra definition.

Side Part with High Fade

The Side Part with a High Fade sits at the cutting edge of modern barbering trends, delivering a sharp, athletic appearance. This haircut features a high fade that quickly tapers to skin level, juxtaposing the longer top that’s styled with a defined side part. Best suited for straight or slightly wavy hair, this look complements round or square face shapes by adding angles and sharp lines. The High Fade creates a dynamic contrast with the top, appealing to those seeking an energetic and youthful hairstyle that can transition from office wear to nightlife effortlessly.

Best For

Round or square face shapes are ideal, providing angular lines that enhance definition and create an illusion of length.

Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid too much height on top if you have an elongated face, as it may overemphasize facial length.

Products That Work Well

Include matte clay or styling fiber to craft a firm hold without the glossy finish, preserving the fade’s crisp edges.

Side Part with Fringe

The Side Part with Fringe offers a softer version of the classic side part, adding a layer of natural, eye-grazing fringe. This cut integrates a gentle sweep of hair across the forehead, allowing for an easy-going appeal that works wonderfully for medium to thick hair types. Especially suitable for individuals with diamond or triangular face shapes, the fringe softens angular features and adds an element of intrigue. This versatile style is both sophisticated and relaxed, ideal for anyone seeking a touch of casual elegance without the need for rigorous maintenance.

Best For

Diamond or triangular face shapes with medium to thick hair benefit from the style’s ability to complement angular features.

How to Make It Your Own

Experiment with fringe length and angle, adjusting how it naturally falls to personalize and suit different occasions.

Styling Time & Difficulty

Minimal; a quick application of light styling cream and a bit of fluffing with fingers can achieve a relaxed finish.

Side Part with Quiff

The Side Part with a Quiff fuses vintage charm with modern style, combining a traditional side part with the volume and height of a quiff. This style maintains short sides with more length on top, where the hair is brushed upwards and back. Ideal for men with thick, wavy hair, this hairstyle complements refined settings such as business meetings or formal events due to its tidy appearance. The additional height from the quiff adds presence, making it a perfect choice for individuals looking to add volume and drama to their look.

Best For

Thick, wavy hair on oval face shapes benefit from this style, showcasing a well-groomed aesthetic with modern flair.

What to Tell Your Barber

Ask for a medium fade with some extra length on top. Request definition within the quiff for prominent structure.

Products That Work Well

Consider using wax or gel for optimal lift and shine, providing the quiff with a firm texture and sleek finish.

Side Part with Slick Back

The Side Part with a Slick Back introduces an air of refinement and timeless sophistication. Maintaining a distinct side part, the slick back involves combing the hair straight back for a neat, cohesive appearance. Perfect for straight-haired individuals and suitable for most face shapes, this clean-cut look is timeless and adaptable for numerous occasions from boardroom meetings to evening functions. The Slick Back requires minimal yet precise styling, ensuring it complements various fashion styles and personal tastes while providing a classic edge that never goes out of style.

Best For

Ideal for straight hair and compatible with various face shapes, offering a polished look that suits both formal and informal settings.

Products That Work Well

High-shine gel or pomade helps achieve a sleek finish, emphasizing the slick back’s smooth and polished aesthetic.

How to Maintain It

A daily brush-through with a fine-tooth comb will keep the style intact, ensuring the side part remains visible and aligned.

Side Part with Asymmetrical Cut

The Side Part with Asymmetrical Cut combines the classic elegance of a side part with the modern edge of an uneven length. This style typically features hair that is shorter on one side and left longer on the opposite, creating a unique profile. The top is usually longer and styled smooth or with slight texture, allowing the asymmetry to be emphasized. Favoured by those with adventurous tastes, it suits individuals looking for a style that stands out without being overly unconventional. It’s a look that works well in both formal and casual settings, providing an alternative to a basic side part. This hairstyle is recognized in contemporary fashion circles for its bold, avant-garde appearance.

Best For

This style works best for individuals with oval or rectangular face shapes, as these can balance the asymmetry. Suitable for straight or slightly wavy hair.

What to Tell Your Barber

Request an uneven length on both sides with longer layers on top. Specify how dramatic the length difference should be along the sides.

Products That Work Well

Use a light pomade for a sleek, defined appearance or a texturizing spray to add volume and movement to the longer side.

The classic side part continues to hold its place as a versatile and relevant style, seamlessly adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of men’s grooming. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to strike a balance between classic refinement and contemporary edge. The resurgence of this style is evident in its presence on red carpets and runways, proving its adaptability across various hair types and personal aesthetics. With its roots steeped in tradition yet constantly reinvented, the Side Part exemplifies the fashion-forward blend of sophistication and casual ease desired in today’s dynamic style scene.

As the boundaries of fashion broaden, this style evolves to embrace both purist and experimental interpretations, providing a canvas for individuality and expression. Whether meticulously crafted or artfully tousled, the Side Part effortlessly speaks to the ethos of understated elegance—a testament to its timeless charm and adaptability in today’s eclectic sartorial climate.

Every model and hairstyle you see here is an original AI creation—art-directed by our editorial team to capture the exact texture, shape, and finish of each style. While these aren’t real people, each is a made-to-measure visual crafted to feel authentic to the cut and true to the inspiration behind it.