The classic taper haircut is the perfect men’s hairstyle with just the right balance between sophistication and versatility. The men’s tapered haircut is a stylish, well-rounded style that will look great at the office or beach. You can even wear the classic taper in a tousled, textured hairstyle for a relaxed looked, slick it back for a trendier style, or keep it long and professional for formal business meetings.
Whatever the occasion or hair type, the best tapered hairstyles are fresh with a traditional yet fashionable look. Check out these hot taper haircuts for ideas before your next visit to the barbershop!
Contents
1 What Is The Classic Taper Haircut?2 What Do I Need For The Men’s Taper Haircut?3 How To Get A Taper Haircut4 How To Style A Tapered Haircut5 Best Tapered Haircuts To Try6 Tapered Sides with Hard Part and Brushed Up Hair7 Long Taper Haircut with Side Part8 Low Taper with Textured Slicked Back Hair9 Low Taper Fade with Textured Fringe10 Classic Taper Fade with Pompadour11 Classic Taper Fade with Textured Spiky Hair12 Low Taper Fade with Comb Over13 Crew Cut with Classic Taper14 Medium-Length Side Part Comb Over wit Short Sides15 Long Fringe with Classic Taper16 Low Taper Fade with Faux Hawk17 Long Brushed Up Hair with Taper Cut18 Thick Side Swept Hair with Low Taper Fade19 Classic Taper Fade with Textured French Crop20 Brushed Back Hair with Tapered Sides and Beard21 High Tapered Fade with Long Textured Slick Back22 Low Taper Fade with Hard Side Part23 Classic Tapered Haircut with Comb Over24 Low Taper Fade with Long Comb Over and BeardWhat Is The Classic Taper Haircut?
The classic taper haircut for men has been around for years, and consists of short hair around the sides, which is buzzed down with clippers. At the top there is length throughout the hair, leaving flexibility in your styling choices.
Between the two sections of the hair is a tapering, which consists of the short sides getting progressively longer as they near the top. In other words, the taper gets shorter and more gradually faded as you get closer to the neckline.
Some like to taper all the way down to their neck, while others prefer a short taper only in the middle transition area – the choice is up to you.
Depending on the emphasis and contrast you want to add to your hair, there can be a total disconnect between the short sides and the long top, or a more gradual fade between them.
Ultimately, any hair type, face shape and hair thickness can get the taper haircut, which is best styled with a blow dryer and a little pomade.
What Do I Need For The Men’s Taper Haircut?
Although a classic tapered haircut is a flexible hairstyle without any hard requirements on hair length, it is best if guys have at least two inches of hair all around the head, preferably with more on the top.
The length of hair required on the sides varies because it will be faded with a hair clipper, but it is important to have at least an inch if you’re hoping for a smooth, long taper. Otherwise, short tapered haircuts that are faded into the skin are easier to get with any length.
As an indication of its versatile styling, the classic taper hairstyle can work with curly, wavy or straight hair as it doesn’t rely on any one kind of styling.
Similarly, the tapered haircuts are great if you want to style the pompadour, quiff, slick back, comb over, or any modern trendy men’s hairstyles.
How To Get A Taper Haircut
Most barbers know what you mean when you ask for the old-school taper haircut, but as always, bringing a picture will always help make sure that your local barbershop understands the look you want.
To get a taper fade haircut, there is no set length of hair on the sides or the top. Generally, the sides will be buzzed at a #1, #2, #3 or #4 with hair clippers, depending on how short you want the taper to be. Then your stylist will trim the top with scissors, often leaving 2 inches of hair or longer for you to style and create the hairstyle of your choice.
Another decision to make is where you want the taper to begin and end. Long and tight tapering all the way down to your neck is a sleek option, while tapering only half the sides before reaching a set length is more subtle.
The difference can be communicated by asking for a high, mid or low taper, where the low starts just an inch above the ears and the high begins an inch below the hair on top.
Asking for styling advice from your barber is a great way to get insight tailored to your hair type and texture. Don’t be afraid to inquire about what hair products and styling tools they are using.
Furthermore, upkeep is important with the classic taper, and most men find that a trim every four to six weeks keeps the haircut looking sharp, defined and fresh.
How To Style A Tapered Haircut
The classic taper is easy to style with a range of hair products and most styles simply involve adding a little volume. Those who like volume can create the quiff or pompadour hairstyle, while those who like to keep it simple can slick their hair back or style a comb over.
Though styling tapered haircuts can take a little time, the outcome is worth it. For a low taper side part, comb over or textured brush back, follow these instructions.
Start with slightly damp, towel-dried hair. Blow dry your hair to a side of your choosing, using your hair’s natural part as guidance. Run your fingers through to add volume.
Rub some pomade, wax or putty between your hands and apply through your hair evenly to hold in place. Run a comb through your hair for a sleek look, or leave messy for a tousled, textured style.
Best Tapered Haircuts To Try
The best tapered haircuts look great on just about anyone, and this popular men’s hairstyle has been worn in hundreds of ways. The following pictures are some of our favorite styles, and they are easy for you to create yourself.
From elegant and formal to relaxed and casual, the classic taper haircut is a style every guy should try at least once. Bookmark this page to show your stylist and get an awesome tapered hairstyle the next time you get a cut.