
Men usually opt for the Ivy League haircut because it seamlessly integrates culture, trend, and simplicity. Its sleek, clean, and adaptive features benefit both professional and personal settings. Having its foundations in American educational culture, it has become a favorite for guys, representing everlasting charm and moderate confidence.
Let’s analyze why the Ivy League hairstyle is so popular and how you might modify it.
What Is an Ivy League Haircut?
The clean, sharp sides of a crew cut blend well with a bit of long hair at the front head that may be set nicely to create the moderate and versatile Ivy haircut for men. This style of hair improves your unique flair along with the refined look of a traditional appearance.
In the mid-20th century, rooted at the highest-ranked universities of the northeastern United States, graduates from Harvard, Princeton, and Yale developed the haircut initially. It represented a smooth, well-groomed look that was right for celebrations as well as educational environments.
The Ivy League hairstyle has longer layers on top, which facilitates side splitting or uneven styling.The unique style offers an appropriate mix of structure and modern convenience as opposed to traditional cuts like the taper or lateral part.
As it replicated the preppy, prosperous developing style popular among students at these highly regarded institutions, it got the title of “Ivy League.” It is yet an attractive option for guys today who prefer a crisp yet approachable look.
22 Best Ivy League Haircut Styles for Men
This refined haircut offers various styles for everyone, no matter whether you’re looking for a modern, businesslike appearance or a more informal, attractive style. Below 22 styles, covering everything from traditional side parts to trendy smooth finishes, combine classic charm with current fashion.
Let’s discuss the top Ivy League forms suitable for different hair varieties, face appearances, and individual preferences.
1. Classic Ivy League Haircut

Classic Ivy League Haircut
A crew cut with an Ivy haircut and side parted looks good on almost every occasion. The cut, commonly referred to as the Princeton cut, has lengthy locks on top with a bit shorter, curved hair at the sides and back, combed nicely in an upward form, and side-swept hair in front for attractive appeal.
2. Modern Textured Ivy League

Modern Textured Ivy League
Young men may seem stylish with this trendy Ivy League hairstyle, which has a neatly cut part on the sides and back, deeper, ordered hair on top, and a brushed-up, side-swept edge. The legendary look appears by spreading the hair forward from the top and then over from an extensive side part. The emergence of the swift, high, or mid dull finishes the whole look.
3. Ivy League with Taper Fade

Ivy League with Taper Fade
A professional Ivy League merge with taper fade displays charm and confidence while accepting their inherent body and actions. The gorgeous form is ideal for customization for guys with heavier locks. To achieve an outstanding appearance, men with less dense hair can use styling items and thickening shampoo with a hair dryer.
Apply it with a freshly shaved face for a smoother, cleaner style, or go with a full beard for an element of sharp male character.
4. Ivy League Fade Haircut

Ivy League Fade Haircut
Ivy League fades are long at the front and much thinner at the back. They have tough or properly trimmed edges and low fade drips. The hair is modified up and back along the hairline, producing a cross between a quiff and a pompadour, and it has a gorgeous trim.
The tricky element creates a gap between the style’s layout and visual interest. For a touch of maturity and male identity, couple it with a rough beard or short goatee.
5. Ivy League Crew Cut

Ivy League Crew Cut
Brief and clear, an Ivy League crew cut presents men with an affordable yet advanced choice that significantly merges with a wide variety of facial forms and hair characteristics. The most noticeable differences are the thick edges and the style-up, seamless front section that has lots of charm.
To wrap up the look, you can illustrate the feel with bold highlights, especially around the face. Have the cut with a complete, thick beard for the most significant impact.
6. Curly Ivy League Haircut

Curly Ivy League Haircut
Curly Ivy League type comprises big, bouncy curls with length on top and taper on both sides and back. Attaining this effect needs to begin with healthy curls, and a volumizing gel or curl cream provides outstanding curl definition and shape. The style balances by putting on a stubbly goatee with a short, curly fringe.
7. Long Ivy League Style

Long Ivy League Style
A long Ivy League cut is a modest, unique cut where the front portion holds long hair as compared to the other sides of the head. A precise taper efficiently connects the sides into a full, presentable beard, while the hair falls through the top of the head from an intense side part.
8. Short Ivy League with Hard Part

Short Ivy League with Hard Part
This short Ivy League is classy and elegant, looking like a crew cut. The scissor-cut taper at the corners and the subtle mid-fade set this style apart from others. It can fit a range of styling options and is relatively simple to uphold with little effort.
9. Brushed Up Ivy League

Brushed Up Ivy League
In a brushed-up Ivy League, the more traditional style layout evolves to a light and fluffy curvy visual view. This particular variation of the cut focuses on matte pomade that applies to specific areas, instead of styling wax, which brings a touch of shine while producing texture. The style is sleek and charming enough for any occasion and effective for thick or rough hair.
10. Side-Swept Ivy League with Low Taper

Side-Swept Ivy League with Low Taper
This side-swept Ivy League is an elegant, flexible haircut popular for its simplicity and ease of care. Low taper fade on the edges and back is its specific feature. The neatly rounded sides provide order and balance, while the extra hair in the front and on top rolls across the forehead for lift. The resultant effect is an easy-to-achieve while upholding neat retro style with an addition of modern flair.
11. Ivy League Undercut

Ivy League Undercut
The Ivy League with an undercut hairstyle is an imaginative blend of the confidence of an undercut and the conventional superior charm of an Ivy League haircut. With closely separated sides for a right contrast, this type has a longer, well-sustaining top that is commonly detached and properly set.
12. Ivy League Pompadour

Ivy League Pompadour Haircut
The strong volume and classic collegiate form meet in the Ivy League Pompadour. The Ivy League cuts normal short sides and back remain in this version, while there is enough length on top that enables the hair to be put upward and back into an ordered pompadour.
Men who want an upscale look with a touch of modern edge will love this slender and fashionable merging of culture and flair. Without heading too far, matte or medium-shine goods assist in preserving the look.
13. Wavy Ivy League with Taper

Wavy Ivy League with Taper
The tapered Ivy League with a wavy top mixes the informal charm with the modified lines of a traditional Ivy League. The hair is cut to emphasize the natural waves, which give it an exciting texture. These waves are separated by tapered sides, producing a smooth and elegant profile. To shape the waves while retaining their inherent bounce, use a light pomade or curl cream to wet hair before styling.
14. Ivy League with Fringe

Ivy League with Fringe Haircut
The Ivy League haircut’s normal refinement is complemented with an updated element known as fringe, or bangs, in this particular hairdo. The Ivy League, which is generally a neat cut and curved on the sides and back, holds some big hair on the top layer.
This extension generates a soft, layered fringe across the front of the head. It’s an exclusive yet casual style suitable for striking a balance between smooth charm and effortless coolness.
15. Messy Ivy League Look

Messy Ivy League Look
Choosing a messier style can be an excellent strategy to begin if you’re looking for an updated version of the classic Ivy League style. For men who prefer a less formal image without going excessively messy, this up-to-date look offers the same degree of competence with an edgier feeling.
16. Ivy League for Thinning Hair

Ivy League for Thinning Hair
For men with thinning hair, the Ivy League cut is a sensible option. It preserves a nice sleek appearance while offering fuller hair looks due to its somewhat longer top and brief, rounded sides.
This style is perfect for drooping hairlines or thinning front layers. It gives volume and structure by keeping the top neat but not excessively flat. It is also praiseworthy and easy to care for, thus making it best for a shiny, comfortable look.
17. Ivy League for Round Faces

Ivy League for Round Faces
For men with round faces, the Ivy League hairstyle is an excellent selection primarily due to its dimensions, which make the face appear longer and more charming. Together, the extended hair on top and the narrowed sides smartly balance with the face’s basic roundness. For more impact, you can even turn up the volume on top.
18. Ivy League for Asian Hair

Ivy League for Asian Hair
Every gentleman may seem fantastic with the elegant Ivy League hairstyle. Normal Asian hair textures, usually straight and smooth and support the Ivy League’s smart yet fashionable aesthetic, are a great example of this coiffure. However, you may apply styling products to enhance beauty if you want a more innovative and youthful look.
19. Low-Maintenance Ivy League

Low-Maintenance Ivy League Haircut
Because Ivy League cuts are naturally simple, they demand minimal styling care. You may merge every aspect into a stubble beard by blending the part in the rounded sides, which also retains the sideburns and contributes to the distinctive flow. To achieve the graceful look, comb over your hair from the part after applying some matte pomade over it.
20. Ivy League with Beard

Ivy League with Beard
A beard and an Ivy League haircut are a great combination of a demanding and advanced look. The side-flipped front and clean, rounded sides offer a sharp, arranged appearance, while a smooth beard creates balance and masculinity.
Facial hair can increase personality and interest in the traditional cut, whether you decide on a defined goatee, a well-maintained full beard, or fine stubble. This combo is excellent for today’s professionals who like a refined and graceful look.
21. Military Ivy League Haircut

Military Ivy League Haircut
The military Ivy League, which service members often adopt, utilizes the versatility of a military cut with the regular Ivy League’s neatness. It has dull sides to a very short length and a neat, longer top hair with a stylish and tidy partition.
The precision of the faded look will differentiate it from daily hairstyles, highlighting your hair’s careful dimension and lines. To keep the top in place and add a little gloss, apply a portion of medium-hold pomade.
22. Ivy League Comb Over

Ivy League Comb Over
With sufficient length and prominent tapering at the sides for an innovative touch, this appealing Ivy League comb-over is a trendy, deeper focus on the classic Princeton cut. Style and competence are achieved by combing all of the hair on one side, as opposed to a deep side part. To retain a natural texture and all-day hold, lightly hydrate your hair and apply a bit of wax or pomade.
Ivy League Haircut vs Other Popular Styles
The Ivy League cut is characterized by its clean, flexible style that strikes a balance between formality and informality. It lends you an attractive appearance with just the right level of length on top for styling diversity, in contrast to high-fade or complicated textured cuts.
Ivy League vs Crew Cut
Because the top of the Ivy League cut is a bit longer than the average length of a crew cut, side settling and different styling options are feasible with Ivy form. A crew cut, as it is shorter and more uniform, delivers an improved, easier-to-maintain appearance.
Ivy League vs Fade Cut
A fade cut provides a more affected shift from thin skin or extremely short hair to comparatively broader lengths, whereas the Ivy League illustrates a low or just mid-taper fade. Ivy styles tend to be more modest and customary, while fades are usually bolder in outlook.
Ivy League vs Pompadour
Ivy League cut possesses short, side-parted hair growth and delivers a stronger, perfect, and standard shape. For its special height and sweep, the pompadour involves longer hair on top and more styling function. It’s all about thickness and charm.
Ivy League vs Taper Cut
A taper cut, common in numerous styles, involving the Ivy League, is the progressive cutting of hair on the back and edges. The key difference is that a tapering pattern may come in various kinds, whereas the Ivy League implies a certain top length and aesthetics.
Why the Ivy League Style Remains a Top Choice?
The Ivy League shape is an optimum blend of style and functionality. It fits nicely for men of all ages and looks good on all face shapes due to its streamlined shape and flexible length. Whether you’re attending a business meeting or going to enjoy a weekend brunch, this hairdo is effective in a variety of situations, and it enhances your overall personality.
How to Ask Your Barber for an Ivy League Haircut?

Man in Barber Shop with Ivy League Haircut
To get your favorite Ivy hair cut, from the saloon follow the given instructions:
- Suggestions for clipper guards: Request that clipper guards #2 through #4 get tapered sides and backs.
- Top Length: Demand 1 to 2 inches of length on top for proper styling, particularly when displaying a side part.
- Describing the appearance: Let’s say you are seeking something sufficiently long to be adaptive but fresher than a crew cut.
- Style preference: Make it clear that you like a top-notch, convenient-to-maintain finish.
- Customization: Tell your barber to adjust the cut, considering the hair texture and face outline. For example, relax the taper, add structure, or combine in a fringe.
How to Style an Ivy League Haircut at Home?
The Ivy League is straightforward, fast, and requires only a few products to set up at home. You can get a concise and clean look in just a couple of minutes with a small quantity of product and your usual routine.
Styling Products You’ll Need
Just a few fundamentals can help you get your dream Ivy League style. While an efficient comb keeps your hair neat and sharp, sea salt spray, pomade, or matte paste contribute to organizing and delivering texture.
Step-by-Step Styling Guide
- Start by blow-drying or using a towel to dry your hair, according to your desired image.
- To add consistency, hold, and structure to slightly damp hair, smoothly spread a tiny bit of matte pomade all over the hair.
- For a classic style, comb your hair forward and then move the fringe to the side for high level and volume.
- To achieve its unique look, the modern Ivy League must have a sharp front finish, whether it is spiky, brushed over, or sloppy.
- Add a hard part for an elegant gentleman’s cut, but move the hair to the side for an idealistic, shiny look.
While a wavy or spiked-up look is outstanding for informal settings, a clean, organized style can be an excellent option for a business professional who needs to look proficient at work.
Final Tips for Pulling Off the Ivy League Look
Here are some additional suggestions to improve your style:
- For an eternal look, get your hairstyle with clean, stylish apparel such as chinos, button-down garments, and polos.
- To stay satisfied with the cut, keep the hair on your face neat and have your hair cut regularly.
- Above all, incorporating it with confidence is the secret to getting an effective look.
Conclusion
In short, the Ivy cut represents a stable and approachable option for a modern man who values a neat, cutting-edge, and low-maintenance appearance. This easy styling mode is suitable for all faces and does not restrict hair type.
Whether you favor an ordinary side part, a trendy fade, or a textured, wavy finish, this preppy yet recent haircut can quickly enhance your everyday look with the significant setting and styling products.
FAQs
How long should my hair be?
To achieve the ideal Ivy League style, short hair on both sides and about one to two inches on top is preferable.
Is it suitable for curly or thinning hair?
Yes, it can be modified for both forms.
How often should I trim it?
After every three to four weeks, trimming is necessary to maintain the haircut structure.