Side Part Hairstyles for Men: Classic and Modern Appeal
The men’s side part haircut has been a versatile and classy style since the 1950s. This classic style fits any occasion. Whether you’re going to the office or a casual event, it looks great with straight, wavy, or curly hair.
The classic side part has short tapers. Modern versions often include low fades. This gives you many options to make the style your own. Your ideal mix of professional and stylish shows with typical lengths of 2-4 inches on top.
What is a side part hairstyle?
A side part hairstyle stands out with a distinct line that runs from front to back. This line sits on either the right or left side of the head and divides the hair unevenly. The style became a symbol of refinement in the 1920s and 1930s, gaining traction when men began showing off hairstyles instead of hiding them under hats. A natural parting line, longer top, and combed finish create the polished look that defines this timeless classic.
Why the Side Part Remains Timeless
The origins of the side part haircut lie in its elegant history, which continues to shape its charm today. As fashion trends evolved, the side part adapted while retaining its structured appearance and dignified appeal. Endorsed by iconic Hollywood figures and modern celebrities alike, this style represents confidence and timelessness. Practical, versatile, and flattering, the side part remains popular in every decade.
How to Find Your Natural Part Line
Finding your natural part line helps your hairstyle stay in place with less product and effort. You can identify it by pushing your hair forward from the crown and watching where it splits naturally. The cowlick often helps determine where the part should begin, making it easier to create a well-structured style. Working with your natural part instead of against it ensures a more polished and long-lasting look.
Classic Side Part vs Modern Side Part
The classic side part haircut emerged in the 1920s and featured neatly combed hair, a clean parting line, and a polished finish. It typically involves longer top hair and tapered sides styled with pomade or gel for shine. The modern side part updates this look with fades, hard parts, and natural textures that allow for asymmetry and movement. Both styles reflect sophistication but serve different purposes based on setting and preference.
Best Face Shapes for Side Part Hairstyles
A side part haircut ranks among the most versatile styles that look good on nearly every face shape. Square faces benefit from side-swept parts that soften strong jawlines, while heart-shaped faces gain balance through deeper parts. Diamond-shaped faces are complemented by the structure a side part offers, especially around the cheekbones. Round faces get more definition and angularity, and oval faces suit nearly all side part variations.
Side Part for Different Hair Types
Straight hair creates a smooth canvas for precise parting and is easy to style with product and a comb. Wavy hair adds natural volume and texture, making a looser part line look effortlessly stylish. Curly hair requires damp styling with curl-enhancing creams and benefits from a deep side part that adds volume. Thick hair gains control and direction from the side part, while fine hair can use it to add lift and structure.
Short Side Part Hairstyles
Short side part hairstyles are low-maintenance while offering a sharp and classic appearance. A buzz cut with a part keeps hair short while adding a hard part for definition, especially on oval or square faces. A short taper allows 1–2 inches of hair on top and creates a polished look suitable for professional environments. These styles keep grooming simple yet sophisticated and make a strong visual impact.
Medium Length Side Part Haircuts
Medium-length hair gives you more styling flexibility, especially for creating texture or volume. A textured side part adds dimension and flow, particularly when using heat-activated paste or sea salt spray. Volume-focused side parts work well for men with fine or flat hair, adding lift through blow-drying and mousse. This hair length balances structure with freedom, making it ideal for men who want a refined but modern look.
Long Hair Side Part Styles
Longer hair allows for movement and drama, and the flowing side part offers structure with an elegant finish. Thick or slightly wavy hair looks particularly polished when parted deeply and styled with light cream. Layered long parts add dimension and shape while framing the face, making it ideal for softening strong features. These long styles combine classic refinement with relaxed appeal for men who like versatility.
The Hard Part Haircut
The hard part is a bold variation of the side part where the line is shaved into the scalp using a razor. This technique creates a sharp division between longer and shorter hair and adds structure to any style. It’s often paired with fades and undercuts, offering a dramatic look that needs frequent upkeep to maintain its clean edge. A hard part works best for men seeking precision and defined lines in their haircut.
Side Part with Fade
Adding a fade to the side part creates a modern twist by tapering the sides and back. A low fade offers a subtle gradient and blends well into professional settings without looking too sharp. A mid fade provides more definition and suits all hair types while emphasizing the top’s structure. A high fade delivers maximum contrast, popular among younger men who want a bold, standout look.
Side Part with Undercut
An undercut adds sharp contrast between the long top and shorter sides, drawing attention to the part. A disconnected undercut features no gradual blending, resulting in a clean break between lengths, ideal for straight hair. A blended undercut is subtler, offering a smoother transition for a more polished appearance. Both styles can be enhanced with volume products to maintain structure and edge throughout the day.
Side Part with Taper
The tapered side part brings elegance with a structured silhouette created by gradually shortened sides. The classic taper retains more hair on the sides and back, using a seamless graduation that flatters most face shapes. This look became popular in the 1950s and remains a symbol of skilled barbering and clean grooming. The skin taper version is bolder, fading down to bare skin for a sharp, modern profile that needs regular trims.
Side Part Pompadour
The side part pompadour combines volume and structure by blending a lifted top with classic lines. The modern version features textured styling with matte finishes, while the classic pompadour uses high-shine pomade and scissor-cut sides. Both require blow-drying and grooming tonic to build height, especially at the front. This style offers a bold, attention-grabbing option that still looks polished and timeless.
Side Part Quiff
The quiff with side part blends height with elegant parting, creating a style that suits both casual and professional environments. A textured quiff offers a more relaxed look with volume and finger-styled waves, ideal for men with naturally curly or wavy hair. The slick quiff features precise styling, clean lines, and glossy finishes for a refined appearance. Both variations work well for square or oval faces and offer structure with personality.
Side Part Comb Over
A defined comb over uses a sharp side part and clean directional styling to create a polished, controlled look. Damp hair and pomade help form a structured shape, making this version ideal for formal settings. The loose comb over, in contrast, features soft parting and finger-styled texture that leans into natural hair movement. This variation suits casual settings and maintains a relaxed, sophisticated feel with minimal maintenance.
Conclusion
The side part hairstyle has stood the test of time, evolving from its early 20th-century roots into a modern staple for men across all ages and professions. Whether you prefer the polished look of a classic side part or the edgier appeal of a modern fade or hard part, this style adapts to suit your face shape, hair type, and personal style. Its versatility allows men to move effortlessly between formal and casual settings without compromising on appearance. With the right cut and a bit of product, the side part remains one of the most reliable, stylish, and confident grooming choices any man can make.
