It’s no secret that Ivy League haircut was inspired by the United States 8 schools group with the same name. Despite the Ivy League hairstyles have already become a good old tradition and classic image, some debate still arise on where the style was born – at Harvard or Princeton.
By the way, that’s the reason why Ivy League hair is also often called the Princeton cut or Harvard clip. Nevertheless, whatever the true origin is, we know for sure that this style is stylish and masculine, versatile and suitable for most men.
The dapper cut, officer haircut, collegiate haircut – these are some of the other names of the Ivy League haircut. For decades, this timeless hairstyle has been a good hair tradition and in this article, you’ll find the best men's ivy league haircut for you:
What Is an Ivy League Haircut
@barbearia_leviptattoo
Looking for a hairstyle that blends aristocratic with chic, athletic with alluring? – The Ivy League haircut that is!
The classic example of this style features a short trim on the sides and back, a bit longer top, and the front part usually has the biggest length so that you can comb it over or sweep to one side.
Traditionally, a classic ivy league haircut includes a side part and a slick crown. But in the modern interpretation, the sides are usually faded, and with casual styling wax, the top can be done into a pompadour, a quiff, a blowout in addition to the traditional comb-over.
Ivy League Haircut vs Crew Cut
@v12barbering
Ivy League haircut is often confused with crew cuts, and despite they may seem quite the same, there are some significant details that differentiate the two styles.
As for the similarities, both hairstyles are:
- smart
- dapper
- tapered on the sides
- longer on top
However, the Ivy League haircut is generally longer than a crew cut and can be easily combed into a neat side part, while in the crew cut, the hair is usually short and straight up so that you can’t make a combover.
To tell the truth, the borders between the popular men’s haircuts are quite vague these days, so an updated version of a crew cut can sometimes be hardly distinguished from the Ivy League cut. So don’t worry about the name of your cut – better worry about the personal style.
How to Ask for an Ivy League Haircut
@barberhoodliv
When asking a barber for an Ivy League cut, make sure to be precise and specific about these details:
- the type of fade you want on the sides (low, medium, or high)
- the length of the fade
- the length of the hair on top (just tell your barber what styles you are going to do)
- if you want a side part or a razor hard part
Thus, you can see that there are a lot of issues that make a huge difference in the way the Ivy League haircut looks. So, if you don’t wanna fail with your perfect style, just show your stylist pictures from this collection of the best ivy league haircuts. It will help them to understand the silhouette, the characteristics, and the techniques you would prefer. Also, your barber will definitely suggest what can be done with your hair texture and quality.
How to Cut Ivy League Haircut
@hairstyles.ofb
Prepare your combs, scissors, and clippers – here we go with a step-by-step guide for barbers and stylists on how to cut Ivy League haircut:
- Cut the top hair length by combing it into the direction it’s gonna be styles and cutting with scissors against the grain. Move from the forehead to the vertex, holding the comb (or fingers) parallel to the floor.
- Do the same with the top hair using the thinning shear over comb technique for a smoother shape. Don’t overdo in the crown area – the hair shouldn’t be too short (unless it’s gonna spike up.)
- Go round the head section with scissors over comb technique from the right temple to the left temple. Don’t go higher than the length of the bangs.
- Now switch to the clipper setting it to the 3 ¾ blade and shorten the sides and back.
- Change the Ivy League haircut clipper numbers to a 3 ½ blade and fade down. Repeat this step with the 2 ¼ blade, beveling the clipper gradually away from the head at least an inch below the previous section.
- Next, use the 1 ½ blade clipper over comb technique to blend into the top section.
- Now, use the adjustable clipper in a scooping motion 1-2 fingers width around the outline of the haircut Ivy League. Repeat the step 0,5-1 finger width, and after that – about ¼ – ½ inch around the outline of the Ivy League cut.
- Edge off the side and temple fade areas with the T-trimmer. Clean the hairline and cut sharp lines on the neck and behind the ears.
- Do the final styling with a hair gel, pomade, or wax – depending on if your client prefers volume on top or something smooth and polished.
Also, you will enjoy watching this how-to video for better comprehension.
How to Style Ivy League Haircut
@utopiahairstudio
Probably, one of the reasons why Ivy League hairstyle (also known as Princeton haircut and Harvard clip) has become a classic style and sophisticated appearance that doesn’t go out of fashion is the fact it’s pretty easy to style and low maintenance.
Usually, the lengths on top are rather short and the hair is textured enough so that it often takes a minute or so to fix the hair into place.
Here are some styling tips for men’s Ivy League haircuts:
- Side part Ivy League cut (for a smarter look use a fine comb and hair gel, for a more relaxed and textured Ivy League hairstyle, sweep the hair to the side with fingers using a texturizing spray or other hair products)
- Brushed up pompadour front
- Upswept disconnected quiff cut
- Standard crew cut
- Forward brush with short bangs
So, who is the Ivy League haircut for?
Thanks to being super versatile and convertible, classic Ivy League haircut for men are meant for everyone who wants to have several styling options for different occasions in store. The best part is: if you regularly visit a barbershop to keep the fade clean and the hairline, edgy, you will look like a Hollywood actor with masculine facial features every day, having spent less than 3 minutes in front of the mirror.
Best Men’s Ivy League Haircuts
@ccristanliempi
Ivy League Haircut with Fade
@damanhkit
Since fade is an integral part of any up-to-date haircut nowadays, you can hardly surprise somebody with a clean taper fade. However, a forward brush haircut is definitely a good choice to style men’s hair if you wanna add some character to your Ivy League hairstyle.
Asian Ivy League Haircut
@hairstyles.ofb
This Asian ivy league haircut is a good way to style men's hair. This low maintenance hairstyle with a low fade for thick hair successfully emphasizes the face shape of young men.
Short Ivy League Haircut
@vern.hair.style.kc
This classic cut variation of a messy ivy league haircut is suitable for those with fine hair. The short ivy league haircut is a low-maintenance hairstyle for short hair with successful styling of short bangs. The short ivy league haircut is a great way to highlight masculine facial features due to the fact that the short hair length does not draw too much attention to itself.
Ivy League Crew Cut
@hairstyles.ofb
Ivy League haircut has a lot in common with a crew cut long on top with textured hair, shaved line, sharp edges and taper fade, which also comes from the university communities. Such slightly longer preppy hair shares the features of several categories of hairstyles – a sportsman haircut, a business class style, a Harvard style and a casual crew cut.
Long Ivy League Haircut
@munchiemeow
The long ivy league haircut is another great idea to tame fine hair. The slightly longer hair slicked back with comb technique receding hairline is not so noticeable. To make the slicked-back long hair last longer, use hair gel or another hair product.
Modern Princeton Haircut
@ellemanvietnam
The modern ivy league haircut or Princeton cut is presented here as a curly Ivy League hairstyle. because of the short spiky hair with bouncy curls and taper fade. The classic Ivy League haircut looks less formal and more funky.
Ivy League Haircut for Receding Hairline
@matti_emme
This one is a favorite Matt Damon haircut. Asking why? The thing is the Ivy League cut works great with receding hairline as well as with greying longer hair. Several styling tips: just add an impressive side part top hair and a bit of volume at the roots when you sweep the front strands to the side.
Classic Ivy League Haircut
@clarksbarberlounge
The popularity of this clean Harvard style – somewhere in between the crew cut and the best Ivy League haircut – is undisputed. The best haircut traditions make eternal trends that work everywhere and every time: both in 2023 and several decades ago.
Harvard Cut + Side Part
@headsupbarbershop
Whatever your hair type is, a trendy ivy cut with a smooth gradient design on the sides and a crew cut variation on top will result in an outstanding hair idea for the office and for a special occasion.
Ivy League Comb Over
@the_fadeologist
If you consider a short Ivy League haircut option, pay attention to this simplistic style for thick hair. Such wiffle cuts without sharp edges like in the photo above are so easy to copy.
Military Ivy League Haircut
@thee_marine_barber
A navy seal hairstyle always emphasizes the masculinity of a man and a strong personality, that’s why such 1-inch haircuts and a 1.5 haircut with side-swept Ivy League crown are loved by guys and adored by women.
Ivy League Haircut with Beard
@the_northman_barber
Statement well-trimmed beard are always a good complement to a modern Ivy League haircut, even if it’s a clean and neat style as the Liam Payne haircut. Just make sure you choose appropriate hair products for your Ivy League crew cut and don’t forget about some growth oil and fine comb for your facial hair.
Side Swept Crew Cut
@unclebooth_baek
It is the case when a properly-picked Ivy League haircut results in the ideal balance of face shape, Ivy League hair silhouette, and catchy cheekbones and jawline emphasis. The picture above proves that men’s athletic haircuts can match any outfit – not only a tracksuit.
Crew Cut Taper
@feronjhmua
What do you think about this messy Ivy League Jensen Ackles haircut? Yep, textured Ivy League hairstyles are also rather trending men’s haircuts. If you don’t mind adding some rebel spirit to your crew cut, spice or spike up your Ivy League hairstyle, just disconnect your crown with a little bit of hair product spread between the palms.
FAQ
How long is an Ivy League haircut?
The length of a classic Ivy League haircut at the top is always short – less than 2 inches. Usually, Ivy League haircuts will have the crown at 0.5-1 inch in length while the front is slightly longer hair and is up to 1.5 inches in length. But for several Ivy League haircuts, you will need longer hair – it is a long Ivy League haircut, Ivy League crew cut with long top hair and Ivy League haircut for receding hairline.
Who Is The Ivy League Haircut Best For?
The Ivy League haircuts are a great haircut for anyone with strong facial features. No matter what face shape you have, with the right styling and Ivy League haircut you can emphasize or visually smooth out the shape of your face.