Undercut

What it is

This style keeps the hair on the crown and front long, often parted to the side or center. The back and sides are cut extremely short using clippers or shaved entirely with a razor. This creates a sharp contrast between the lengths. It is worn by men and increasingly by people of any gender. The top hair may be slicked back, gelled up, or left floppy depending on the current fashion trend.

Where it comes from

The look emerged in the early 1900s among young working-class men and street gangs like the Scuttlers in Manchester and the Neds in Glasgow. It was practical for fighting as long hair could not be grabbed easily. During World War I, military barbers adopted similar short backs and sides for hygiene and speed. The style remained common until the 1960s when longer mods hairstyles took over. A revival began in the late 1980s with new wave music fans and peaked again in the 2010s.

What it means

Originally, the cut signaled poverty or an inability to pay for skilled blending by barbers. It became a marker of gang identity in interwar Britain. In the 2010s, it was adopted by hipsters and skaters as a vintage aesthetic. However, some variants drew controversy due to names like Hitler Youth, linking the style to far-right groups. Media associations with villains in film also shaped its modern perception as edgy or aggressive.

How it is made

Barbers use clippers to buzz the hair on the sides and back very short or shave it completely. The hair on top is left long, typically reaching at least the jawline. Styling involves applying pomade, gel, or historically paraffin wax to hold the top hair in place. The bangs are often swept away from the face or slicked back. Regular maintenance is needed to keep the sides short while the top grows.

Who and what it suits

The style works with any hair texture since the top length allows for styling flexibility. It is particularly effective for those who want to manage thick hair by removing bulk from the sides. Face shape is less critical than the willingness to maintain the sharp contrast. It suits individuals looking for a bold, structured look that frames the face with the longer top section.

Versions

Curtained hair is a related style where the top is parted in the center and hangs down, popular in the 1990s. The bowl cut derivative featured a central part and was common in the 1980s new wave scene. Some versions involve perming the fringe for a floppy look. Modern iterations may include faded sides rather than a hard shave, blending the lengths more softly than the original gang styles.

In culture

Television series like Peaky Blinders and Boardwalk Empire renewed interest in the 1920s version. Films such as Public Enemies and Suicide Squad linked the cut to gangster and villain archetypes. In the late 2010s, press outlets associated the style with alt-right figures, creating political tension around its wear. Despite this, it became mainstream in the UK, worn by reality stars and general public alike.

Questions people ask about Undercut

Good reading and sources

• A Haircut Returns From the 1930s (Published 2011)The New York Times, Article

• Undercut (hairstyle) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data