Classic Taper Haircuts Trending Right Now

Published By Brooke
Updated 03-9-2023

Taper Haircut

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If you want to have an “appropriate” haircut, which is neither too boring nor too wild, different types of tapers are an option you’ll definitely enjoy.

A properly done taper fade has become an important element of almost every haircut for men.

A gradual trim with decreased hair length around the ears and back of your head makes a smooth, recognizable, iconic silhouette of the timeless classic look. On this page, you’ll find a great diversity of taper haircuts for formal and casual situations, for different face shapes and hair types.

What Is a Taper Haircut

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What Is taper?

What does a tapered haircut look like?

A classic taper haircut means that the hair on top is longer ( about 2-4 inches long) and then it gradually gets shorter down the sides and back of the head and eventually it blends in with the skin.

A tapered haircut is usually scissor cut, so it’s low-maintenance, neat, and sharp. It can be easily adjusted to your personal style and just can’t go wrong.

What is the difference between a taper and a fade?

The main difference between the fade haircut and taper haircut is the length. In a classic taper, the sides gradually blend, but the hairline is completely intact (despite it’s very short). Meanwhile, a fade is shorter and ends when it fades into the skin. Often, the sides and back can be completely bald, which is called a high fade.

How to Get a Taper Haircut

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How to Get a Taper Haircut 1

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How to Get 2
As we’ve already mentioned before, taper haircuts are old-school and formal, so if you want your taper to look perfect, it should be properly-cut and clean. Also, to get that exact tapered cut you imagine, you have to be as specific as possible when telling what you want to your barber.

So, how to do a taper haircut? Specify all the important details:

  • Decide on the length of the haircut. If you’re not sure, you could start from 2 inches on the crown.
  • Decide if you want a high or low fade on the sides and back, and how gradual it should be. This information will help your hairstylist to choose the right number of hair clipper (it can vary from 2 to 5.)
  • Do you want a razor-shaven side part and an edgy hairline or a smoother image?
  • Tell what styles you’re going to wear on your crown – this will help the barber to trim the hair on top so that the length and shape are the most appropriate for your requirements.

How to Style the Taper Haircut

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How to Style the Taper Haircut

There are millions of ways to style a classic taper haircut so that it suits your appearance and image. Here are some of the most popular hair solutions that work great with taper cut for guys with different hair texture, face shape, personal style, likes and dislikes:

  • Side part (you’ll never go wrong with it, especially if it’s a hard part)
  • Comb over (for the lovers of traditional styles)
  • Pompadour (for special occasions and classy outfits)
  • Quiff (casual style, rather relaxed and unboring)
  • Mohawk (outstanding and eccentric style for true rebels)

To make good-looking taper hairstyles from the list above and keep them at their best, you’ll need a high-quality styling product. So, don’t forget to buy some wax, pomade, or paste for short hair, some gel or spray for longer hair. If you’re going to wear messy hair too, you’ll need a texturizing spray as well.

Best Taper Haircuts

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Best Taper Haircuts

Tapered Haircut with Side Part

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Tapered Haircut with Side Part

As you can see in the image above, a classic tapered haircut works perfectly with a delicate line up. This one is that simple traditional hairstyle that looks great with and without a beard. For multiple occasions, a classic taper side part is a win-win option.

Classic Taper Haircut

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Classic Taper Haircut
If you’re looking for a fresh tapering hair idea, this mid taper haircut with extra texture might be the best variant for you. This basic cut is made in the best taper haircut traditions – with longer hair on top, shorter on the sides, but with added texture to contrast the smooth sides.

Long Taper Haircut

bentaylorr22

Long Taper Haircut

This long taper haircut is an outright mixture of styles and eras. The timeless classic taper on the top, modern hair fade on the sides, and an old school ducktail at the back. Ready for crazy experiments? This slicked back scissor cut hairstyle is for creativity junkies only.

Tapered Sides and Back

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Tapered Sides and Back

Even a regular nice and clean short military-inspired hair can get to another level thanks to faded neckline and temples. The classic curly buzz cut for men blends into the skin like a true piece of art.

Medium Tapered Haircuts

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Medium Tapered Haircuts

Men’s tapered hairstyles for medium hair length allow for a bigger variety of styling options – and this textured Caesar taper fade is the proof. The extra texture on the crown, front-swept fringe, fade hair on the sides that growth into a reverse beard fade so that the hair naturally wraps the face.

Short Taper Haircut

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Short Taper Haircut

For guys with curly hair, we have this elegant zero taper hairstyle idea. This super high taper is sure to please any male looking for a brook haircut. It’s not a classic taper haircut – it’s a mixture of modern hair trends in one short sides long top hair solution for men.

Slicked Back Taper

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Slicked Back Taper

This is what happens if you take a timeless taper pattern and update it with a low undercut. In this messy taper fade with long hair on top, the swept-back locks are not completely straightened and slicked – the natural wave is partially preserved and this twist makes the taper fade cut so individualistic.

Classic Taper Fade Hairstyle

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Classic Taper Fade Hairstyle

There is one downside of taper haircuts with fades like this one: you need to visit your barber rather often to keep the neck and temples areas tight and clean. In the rest, this short taper scissor cut for men has numerous benefits. Especially, if you have naturally curly and thick hair, you can just not care – wake up and go.

Tapered Undercut

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Tapered Undercut

Okay, obviously, this collection of best taper fade pictures couldn’t do without an all-around taper fade with long hair on top twisted into a trendy top knot. The taper fade on the temples is high but it gradually goes down as moving to the back of the head. With a full rough beard, it doesn’t look like a teenage boy hairstyle anymore.

Low Cut Taper

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Low Cut Taper

The low taper is often combined with a classic taper slick back – this one is especially appreciated by men who don’t tend to break the rules. It’s not the latest fad – it’s just an elegant taper style that never fails.

Tapered Sides + Long Top

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Tapered Sides + Long Top

A bunch of curls at the crown can also be tapered and done into a relaxed casual style for men. The hair on the sides and back is cut into a low taper, the curls are disconnected with a little bit of wax, and the cherry of this taper is a tiny detail behind the ear – cool shaven two lines design.

Low Taper Fade

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Low Taper Fade

Another high volume style for long hair – this classic pompadour features a clean gradual fade at the sides that contrasts with the tall matte pomp for thinning hair on top. You’ll definitely need a texturizing spray to get this volume for slick, straight, thin hair, but the result is worth the time and effort!

High Taper Haircut

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High Taper Haircut
A professionally made clean taper fade can update even the most trivial and boring men styles haircut. Look at this average buzz cut and see how outstanding it is thanks to the taper fade on the sides and back, and a contrasting edgy hairline in the forehead area.

High Skin Taper

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High Skin Taper

This taper haircut with a side part is not your average bear. A bit unruly and spiky on top, with a neat taper at the back area, and a brutal men beard – all of these make a versatile and easy-maintenance taper hair solution for men.

Low Skin Taper

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Low Skin Taper

For busy black men with no free time in the morning, you can achieve a really cool effect with your top hair using the right hair product and brush for naturally curly hair. This coarse texture on the crown works perfectly with the short side and back areas.

Taper Fade with Lines on the Side

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Taper Fade with Lines on the Side

Looking for a fresh, eye-catching, alluring idea? Here is the one you’ll love for sure! This tapered men’s haircut has such an outstanding and memorable design, which will never be unnoticed. Fantastic freestyle double wave going through the short sides and touching the eyebrow. This incredible taper is a definite must-try for every white guy.

Tapered Neckline

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Tapered Neckline

Nothing can be better than an ideal, fresh, and clean classic taper fade at the back of the head. Such low taper haircuts are meant to upgrade the whole image of boys of all ages. The classic cut is something you’ll never fail at. So, if you’re going to make a change but don’t know what style to choose, think no more and opt for a classic tapered neckline.

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