Quiff: A voluminous front sweep with short sides and back.

The quiff blends the 1950s pompadour and flattop into a distinct look with height at the front. It emerged after the war as a rejection of strict military cuts and remains a staple of British subculture and European fashion.

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Combines 1950s pompadour and flattop styles.
Staple of the British Teddy Boy movement.
Word may derive from French coiffe or Dutch kuif.
Similar to the Japanese Regent hairstyle.
Resurged in popularity during the 1990s.

What it is

This style features longer hair at the front that is swept upward and back, creating volume. The length recedes toward the crown, while the back and sides are kept short and trimmed. It merges elements of the pompadour and flattop, sometimes hinting at a mohawk shape. Men typically wear this cut, which allows for a neat yet bold appearance suitable for daily wear.

Where it comes from

The look arose after the Second World War as a direct response to the rigid, short haircuts imposed on men during the conflict. It became a defining feature of the British Teddy Boy movement in the 1950s. After fading, it saw a revival across Europe in the early 1980s and gained fresh popularity during the 1990s. Its roots may link to the French word coiffe or the Dutch kuif, meaning crest.

What it means

Initially, the style served as a symbol of rebellion against the uniformity and strict discipline of wartime grooming standards. It allowed young men to express individuality and reject conservative norms. In Japan, a similar silhouette is associated with yakuza members and bōsōzoku biker gangs, linking the shape to specific subcultural identities and organized groups rather than mainstream fashion.

How it is made

To achieve this look, keep the hair on the sides and back short through regular trimming. Leave the top section, particularly at the front, significantly longer. Use styling products to lift the front hair upward and backward, creating height and volume. The transition from the long front to the short back should be smooth, often blending the lengths gradually toward the crown.

A drawing made by EveryHairstyle from what this page says. It is a diagram, not a picture of the real hairstyle.

Who and what it suits

The cut works for various hair textures since the volume comes from styling rather than natural curl pattern. It requires enough length at the front to sweep up, so it is not suitable for very short crops. Face shape is less critical than the willingness to maintain the contrast between the voluminous top and the tight sides.

Versions

The Japanese Regent style closely resembles the quiff and is popular among certain biker gangs and criminal organizations in Japan. The fauxhawk is another related look that shares the central strip of height but differs in how the sides are treated. Some versions incorporate more of a mohawk influence, while others lean heavily on the classic 1950s pompadour structure.

Questions people ask about Quiff

What is the origin of the word quiff?

The etymology is uncertain. It may come from the French word coiffe, referring to a hairstyle or mail coif, or the Dutch word kuif, meaning crest. Tintin is known as Kuifje in Dutch, referencing his prominent forelock.

How does the quiff differ from a pompadour?

The quiff combines elements of the pompadour and the flattop. It typically features shorter back and sides than a traditional pompadour and may include a slight mohawk influence, creating a more structured and modern silhouette.

Is the quiff still popular today?

Yes, after its initial rise in the 1950s, it returned to fashion in Europe during the early 1980s and saw another resurgence in the 1990s. It remains a recognized style for men seeking a blend of vintage and modern aesthetics.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Quiff", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryHairstyle rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

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