18 Side Part Hairstyles for Men: Find the Style That Actually Suits You

Some haircuts look great in photos but become frustrating after a week. Others demand daily styling or frequent barber visits that don't fit most lifestyles.

The side part haircut for men has remained one of the most popular hairstyles because it avoids those problems. It is clean, versatile and easy to adapt to different hair types, face shapes and personal styles.

That doesn't mean every side part hairstyle looks the same.

A classic side part hairstyle creates a timeless, professional appearance. A side part fade haircut feels sharper and more modern. Add texture, a taper, or an undercut, and the haircut takes on a completely different personality. Even hair type changes the equation, a side part for thick hair holds shape and volume differently than a side part for thin or wavy hair.

This guide features 18 of the best side part hairstyles for men, along with practical advice to help you choose the right one. Every hairstyle includes its maintenance level, styling difficulty, who it suits best and exactly what to ask your barber.

Whether you're getting your first side part haircut or looking for a fresh variation, you'll find an option that matches your hair type, lifestyle and grooming routine.

18 Popular Side Part Hairstyles For Men

1. Classic Side Part

The classic side part haircut for men has stayed relevant for decades because it works in almost every setting. The clean parting, balanced proportions, and neatly tapered sides create a polished appearance without looking overly styled. Whether you're heading to the office, attending a wedding, or going out for dinner, this haircut always feels appropriate.

Daily styling takes only a few minutes. A small amount of matte clay or light pomade is enough to keep the part in place while maintaining a natural finish.

Maintenance: ★★★☆☆

Styling Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Best For

• Oval, square and diamond face shapes
• Straight or slightly wavy hair
• Professionals and men who prefer timeless styles

Works Well With

• Clean shave or short stubble
• Formal, business casual and smart casual outfits
• Matte clay or light pomade

Skip This Style If: Very curly or tightly coiled hair can make it difficult to create a defined part. Men who enjoy messy hairstyles may also find this style too structured.

Ask Your Barber: "Keep enough length on top for a natural side part with softly tapered sides and a clean neckline."

Quick Verdict: One of the safest hairstyles a man can choose. Easy to maintain, versatile, and unlikely to go out of style.

2. Textured Side Part

The textured side part haircut takes the classic shape and roughs it up a bit. Instead of a smooth, combed finish, the top gets separated into pieces using a matte product, which gives the whole style more movement and a slightly undone look. It works especially well for men with thick or coarse hair, since the texture keeps the volume from looking heavy or block-like.

This version photographs well and translates easily from a casual day to a smart-casual evening without feeling like you're trying too hard.

Maintenance: ★★★☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Best For

• Thick or coarse hair types
• Oval and square face shapes
• Men who want a side part that feels less formal
• Smart-casual and everyday lifestyles

Also Pairs Well With

• Light stubble or a textured beard
• Casual blazers, henleys and denim jackets
• Matte clay or fiber paste

Skip This Style If: Fine or thin hair won't hold the texture well, and the piecing effect tends to fall flat within a few hours.

Ask Your Barber: "Keep the top slightly longer with texturized ends, and taper the sides so there's contrast but not a hard line."

Quick Verdict: A relaxed, modern take on the side part that works best for guys with natural thickness who want their hair to look intentional but not overly polished.

3. Side Part Hairstyles With Fade

The side part fade haircut sharpens up the entire look by adding contrast between the top and the sides. Instead of a gradual taper, the fade creates a cleaner line that makes the part itself stand out more. This is the version most barbers recommend now, mainly because it looks sharp in person and even better in photos.

It suits men who want their haircut to feel current without changing the classic side part shape underneath.

Maintenance: ★★★★☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Best For

• Straight to slightly wavy hair
• Square and oval face shapes
• Men who like a modern, high-contrast look
• Office and social settings alike

Also Pairs Well With

• Clean shave or a sharp beard line
• Fitted shirts and tailored jackets
• Light pomade for shine, matte cream for a softer finish

Skip This Style If: You can't commit to barber visits every two to three weeks, since fades grow out and lose their sharp line quickly.

Ask Your Barber: "I want a side part fade haircut, mid or high fade on the sides, with enough length on top to comb into a clean side part."

Quick Verdict: The sharpest, most modern version of the side part, best suited to men who don't mind regular upkeep in exchange for a consistently clean look.

4. Men's Side Part Haistyle with Taper Fade

A side part taper fade softens the transition between the top and sides compared to a fade, so there's no hard skin-to-hair contrast. It keeps the sides clean without looking as severe, which makes the haircut easier to wear daily and less noticeable when it starts growing out.

This is often the safer choice for men who want a neat side part but work in more conservative or traditional environments.

Maintenance: ★★★☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Best For

• Straight hair with natural thickness
• Round and oval face shapes
• Men in traditional or formal workplaces
• Anyone who wants low-drama upkeep between cuts

Also Pairs Well With

• Clean shave or short, groomed beard
• Suits, shirts and formal wear
• Light hold pomade or cream

Skip This Style If: You want a bold, high-contrast look. A taper stays subtle by design, so it won't deliver the sharpness a fade gives.

Ask Your Barber: "Keep a soft taper on the sides, no hard line, with enough length on top for a natural side part."

Quick Verdict: A versatile, easy-to-maintain option that works equally well for formal offices and everyday wear.

5. Hard Part Haircut

The hard part haircut adds a thin shaved line exactly where the natural part falls, turning a regular side part into something far more defined. It's a bold, structured look that pairs especially well with fades, since both elements reinforce that sharp, clean-cut aesthetic.

It's a style that demands attention, in a good way when it's fresh, but it needs consistent upkeep to keep looking intentional rather than grown-out.

Maintenance: ★★★★☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Best For

• Straight or slightly wavy hair
• Square and diamond face shapes
• Men who want a bold, defined look
• Social occasions and streetwear-influenced styles

Also Pairs Well With

• Fades or tapers on the sides
• Fitted streetwear and casual tailoring
• Light pomade to define the top

Skip This Style If: You want a low-maintenance cut. The shaved line needs a touch-up every one to two weeks to stay crisp.

Ask Your Barber: "Add a hard part line where my natural part falls, and pair it with a fade or taper on the sides."

Quick Verdict: A striking, modern variation best suited to men who don't mind frequent barber visits in exchange for a sharply defined finish.

6. Side Part Quiff

The side part quiff hairstyle adds noticeable height and volume at the front while keeping the side part visible underneath. It's a middle ground between a flat classic side part and a full pompadour, giving you more presence without going over the top.

Thick hair works best here since it naturally holds the lift. A blow dryer isn't optional with this one, it's essentially what makes the style work.

Maintenance: ★★★☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★★★☆

Best For

• Thick, straight or slightly wavy hair
• Round and oval face shapes
• Men who want extra height without full pompadour effort
• Evenings out and social settings

Also Pairs Well With

• Light stubble or short beard
• Smart-casual outfits, fitted knitwear
• Volumizing spray plus a medium hold paste

Skip This Style If: Fine or thin hair won't hold the lift, and you'll end up restyling multiple times a day.

Ask Your Barber: "Leave extra length at the front for volume, side part on top, and taper or fade the sides."

Quick Verdict: A stylish step up from the classic side part for men willing to spend a few extra minutes each morning with a blow dryer.

7. Side Part Pompadour

The side part pompadour hairstyle is the most dramatic version on this list. Higher volume, smoother styling and a lot more visual presence than any other entry here. Done well, it looks genuinely sharp, but it also asks for more from you, more product, more styling time, more precision.

If you actually enjoy the process of styling your hair, this is where a side part hairstyle turns into a statement look.

Maintenance: ★★★★☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★★★★

Best For

• Thick or medium-thick hair
• Oval and square face shapes
• Men who enjoy daily styling
• Formal events and occasions where you want to stand out

Also Pairs Well With

• Clean shave or precisely trimmed beard
• Formal suits and tailored occasion wear
• Strong hold pomade with high shine

Skip This Style If: You want something wash-and-go. This is the highest-effort haircut on the list and needs daily attention to look right.

Ask Your Barber: "I want a side part pompadour, keep good length on top for height and volume, with tighter sides."

Quick Verdict: The most eye-catching side part variation, best reserved for men who genuinely enjoy styling rather than those looking for an easy routine.

8. Messy Side Part

The messy hairstyle with side part keeps the basic shape but drops the polish. Instead of a combed, defined line, the texture stays loose and slightly undone, which makes it one of the easiest side part hairstyles to wear casually. It works particularly well with medium-length hair and natural waves.

The slight imperfection is the whole point here, over-styling actually makes this haircut look worse, not better.

Maintenance: ★★☆☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Best For

• Wavy or medium-length hair
• Round and oval face shapes
• Men who want a low-effort daily routine
• Casual, everyday settings

Also Pairs Well With

• Light stubble
• T-shirts, casual jackets and denim
• Sea salt spray or a light texture cream

Skip This Style If: You need your hair to look sharp and formal for work. This style leans casual by design and doesn't translate well to a corporate look.

Ask Your Barber: "Keep the length loose on top with some texture, natural side part, nothing too structured on the sides."

Quick Verdict: One of the easiest side part hairstyles to maintain day to day, ideal for men who want something low-effort that still looks put together.

9. Side Part Undercut

The side part undercut creates a strong contrast by cutting the sides very short while leaving considerably more length on top. That contrast becomes the main visual feature of the haircut, giving it a younger, more fashion-forward feel compared to the classic or taper versions.

This style depends heavily on the top having enough texture and movement, without it, the look can feel too disconnected or severe.

Maintenance: ★★★★☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Best For

• Straight or wavy hair with decent length on top
• Square and diamond face shapes
• Men who want a fashion-forward, modern look
• Streetwear and casual social settings

Also Pairs Well With

• Short beard or stubble
• Streetwear, bomber jackets, fitted casualwear
• Medium hold paste or clay

Skip This Style If: You prefer subtlety. The contrast here is intentionally bold and won't suit conservative workplaces as easily as a taper.

Ask Your Barber: "I want a side part undercut, very short disconnected sides, with enough length on top for texture and movement."

Quick Verdict: A bold, youthful take on the side part that works best for men comfortable with a strong contrast look.

10. Short Side Part

The short side part haircut strips the style down to its simplest form. Clean, short, low-maintenance, with almost no daily styling required. It's a practical choice for men who want their hair to look neat without spending time on it every morning, and it holds up especially well in hot or humid climates.

If your hair tends to get messy throughout the day or you just want one less thing to think about in the morning, this is usually the easiest option on the list.

Maintenance: ★★☆☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Best For

• Straight or slightly wavy hair
• Oval and round face shapes
• Men who want minimal daily upkeep
• Hot or humid climates

Also Pairs Well With

• Clean shave or short stubble
• Everyday casual and office wear
• Small amount of matte cream or none at all

Skip This Style If: You want a dramatic, statement haircut. This version prioritizes practicality over visual impact.

Ask Your Barber: "Keep everything short and clean, just enough length on top for a natural side part, minimal styling needed."

Quick Verdict: The most practical, low-maintenance side part hairstyle for men who want a clean look without the daily effort.

11. Long Side Part

The long side part hairstyle trades sharpness for a softer, more relaxed movement. The extra length gives the haircut a naturally effortless feel, and it tends to suit thick or slightly wavy hair particularly well since there's enough weight to keep everything looking controlled rather than overgrown.

It takes a bit more patience to grow out and maintain shape, but the payoff is a side part that feels less structured and more natural.

Maintenance: ★★★☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Best For

• Thick or wavy hair
• Oval and heart face shapes
• Men who want a softer, more relaxed look
• Creative or casual work environments

Also Pairs Well With

• Light stubble or full beard
• Relaxed tailoring, knitwear, casual layers
• Lightweight cream to control without stiffness

Skip This Style If: You want something wash-and-go. Longer hair needs more regular trims and product to avoid looking unkempt.

Ask Your Barber: "Keep more length on top than usual for a long side part, soft taper on the sides so it doesn't look bulky."

Quick Verdict: A relaxed, effortless variation for men patient enough to grow it out and keep it controlled.

12. Side Part Hairstyle for Wavy Hair

A wavy side part hairstyle uses natural texture to do most of the work. The waves add movement and dimension without much styling effort, which is exactly why this version tends to look better with less product, not more. Heavy pomades usually flatten the waves and work against the haircut instead of for it.

This is a good example of a side part where restraint in styling actually improves the result.

Maintenance: ★★☆☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Best For

• Naturally wavy hair
• Oval and round face shapes
• Men who prefer a low-effort, natural look
• Casual and everyday wear

Also Pairs Well With

• Light stubble
• Casual shirts, linen and lightweight fabrics
• Texture spray or lightweight cream

Skip This Style If: Your hair is completely straight. The look relies on natural wave pattern to create movement, so straight hair won't give the same effect.

Ask Your Barber: "Work with my natural wave, don't over-thin the top, and keep the sides tapered rather than faded."

Quick Verdict: One of the easiest side part hairstyles to maintain for men who already have natural wave texture to work with.

13. Side Part Hairstyle for Curly Hair

A curly side part hairstyle works when the haircut is layered properly, giving the curls direction instead of letting them expand outward without shape. Keeping the sides slightly cleaner helps balance the volume that naturally builds up on top with curly hair.

Moisture matters more here than with any other version on this list. Dry curls tend to frizz and lose definition fast.

Maintenance: ★★★☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Best For

• Curly or coily hair types
• Round and square face shapes
• Men who want to work with their natural texture rather than against it
• Humid climates, with the right products

Also Pairs Well With

• Full beard or textured stubble
• Casual and smart-casual outfits
• Curl cream or leave-in conditioner, avoid gel

Skip This Style If: You're not willing to keep up with regular moisture and curl-specific products. Neglected curls tend to frizz rather than hold shape.

Ask Your Barber: "Layer the top to give the curls direction, keep the sides tapered but not too tight, and don't over-thin the curl pattern."

Quick Verdict: A great option for curly hair types, provided you're consistent with moisture and the right styling products.

14. Side Part For Thin Hair

A side part haircut for thin hair can genuinely make the hair look fuller if it's cut and styled the right way. The key is adding texture and avoiding heavy products that flatten everything down. Slicking thin hair too neatly usually exposes more scalp, not less, so a bit of natural messiness typically looks better.

This version relies more on the cut itself than on product to create the illusion of density.

Maintenance: ★★☆☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Best For

• Thin or fine hair
• Oval and diamond face shapes
• Men who want the illusion of more density
• Everyday and office wear

Also Pairs Well With

• Clean shave or light stubble
• Simple, well-fitted casualwear
• Lightweight texturizing powder or spray

Skip This Style If: You're looking for a slick, heavily defined finish. Thin hair tends to look thinner, not sharper, under heavy product.

Ask Your Barber: "Add texture rather than length, keep it slightly messy on top, and avoid removing too much weight from the crown."

Quick Verdict: A practical choice for thin hair types, focused on texture and volume rather than a sharply defined part.

15. Thick Hair Side Part

A side part haircut for thick hair needs a different approach than most other hair types. Without proper layering, the sides can puff out and the top can start feeling heavy rather than styled. A barber who understands thick hair will usually remove weight rather than just cutting everything shorter, which keeps the shape manageable day to day.

Done right, thick hair actually gives this haircut a natural fullness that's harder to achieve with finer hair types.

Maintenance: ★★★☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Best For

• Thick or coarse hair
• Square and round face shapes
• Men who want natural volume without bulk
• Everyday and smart-casual wear

Also Pairs Well With

• Short beard or stubble
• Casual and business-casual outfits
• Matte clay to control without adding shine

Skip This Style If: You want a completely flat, sleek finish. Thick hair naturally resists lying too flat, and fighting that usually means heavy product buildup.

Ask Your Barber: "Thin out the weight on top rather than just cutting it shorter, and keep the sides tapered so it doesn't look bulky."

Quick Verdict: A solid option for thick hair types once the right amount of weight is removed, giving natural volume without the bulk.

16. Ivy League Side Part

The Ivy League side part sits between a crew cut and a classic side part, short, clean and very easy to maintain. It has a polished, mature look without feeling overly styled, which is part of why it's remained a safe, timeless choice for decades.

If you want something that looks good with almost no daily effort and never really goes out of style, this is one of the most dependable options on the list.

Maintenance: ★★☆☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Best For

• Straight hair, short to medium length
• Oval and square face shapes
• Men who want a timeless, low-effort look
• Professional and formal settings

Also Pairs Well With

• Clean shave or short, groomed beard
• Suits, button-downs and smart-casual wear
• Light pomade or none at all

Skip This Style If: You want a bold or modern statement look. This is intentionally understated and classic rather than trend-driven.

Ask Your Barber: "I want an Ivy League side part, short and clean, with enough length on top for a natural part."

Quick Verdict: A dependable, low-maintenance classic that suits nearly any professional setting without needing much thought each morning.

17. Korean Side Part Hairstyle

The Korean side part hairstyle favors softer volume and natural flow over sharp, defined styling. It feels lighter and slightly youthful compared to more structured Western side part variations, and it tends to work best on medium-length straight hair.

Heavy products tend to work against this style since the appeal comes from softness rather than shine or hold.

Maintenance: ★★★☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★★☆☆

Best For

• Straight, medium-length hair
• Round and oval face shapes
• Men who want a softer, youthful look
• Casual and social settings

Also Pairs Well With

• Clean shave or light stubble
• Streetwear and softer casual fits
• Lightweight cream or texture spray

Skip This Style If: You want a sharp, structured finish. This style is built around softness, and heavy styling products tend to work against the look.

Ask Your Barber: "Keep the top soft with natural volume, side part rather than a hard line, and avoid over-thinning."

Quick Verdict: A relaxed, youthful side part hairstyle for men who prefer natural movement over sharp, defined styling.

18. Side Part With Beard

Pairing a side part haircut with a beard creates real balance between the two features. The haircut adds structure up top while the beard brings in texture and shape lower down. The pairing only works, though, if both are kept genuinely groomed, a sharp haircut with an unkempt beard tends to make the whole look feel unfinished.

Getting both dialed in together usually reads as more intentional and put-together than either one on its own.

Maintenance: ★★★☆☆
Styling Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Best For

• Most hair types, straight to wavy
• Square and oval face shapes
• Men who already maintain a beard
• Professional and social settings alike

Also Pairs Well With

• Short boxed beard or full groomed beard
• Smart-casual and tailored outfits
• Matte clay for the hair, beard oil for upkeep

Skip This Style If: You're not consistent with beard grooming. A messy beard will undercut a clean side part faster than almost anything else on this list.

Ask Your Barber: "Keep the side part clean and structured, and line up the beard so it matches the sharpness of the haircut."

Quick Verdict: A strong combination when both elements are properly maintained, giving the overall look more balance and intention.

Side Part Hairstyles Built For Indian Men According to the Weather And Hair Type

Most side part guides are written for cooler, drier climates where pomade holds all day and a blow dryer does most of the work. That doesn't really apply here. Indian summers bring heat and sweat, monsoon season brings humidity and frizz, and a lot of Indian hair runs thicker or wavier than what these guides usually plan for. These five styles are built for Indian men, with product and maintenance advice that actually holds up through a Mumbai afternoon or a Delhi monsoon.

19. Side Part Two-Block Crop

This one keeps the sides short and disconnected while the top stays just long enough to hold a visible part. Because the top isn't overly long, you don't need a heavy pomade or clay to keep it in place, which matters a lot once sweat gets involved. It's a great option if you want a side part without babysitting your hair every few hours.

20. Buzzed Side Part (Monsoon Crop)

This is about as low maintenance as a side part gets. The top is buzzed down short, just enough length to show a clean parting line. There's barely anything to style, which means barely anything that can go flat, frizzy, or greasy during a humid commute. If you want the look of a side part without the daily upkeep, this is the version to ask for.

21. Oiled Side Part (Festive Sweep)

Instead of Western pomade or clay, this style leans on traditional hair oil, coconut or amla based, for the slick back finish. Petroleum based pomades tend to soften and slide once the temperature climbs, but oil holds its shape and actually nourishes the hair at the same time. This works especially well for weddings, festivals, or any occasion where you want that classic sleek look without it wilting by evening.

22. Side Part Burst Crop

A burst fade curves cleanly around the ear, and pairing it with a cropped rather than swept top helps manage thick hair that tends to puff up in humid weather. You get contrast and structure from the fade without needing volume on top, which means less product and less time spent trying to tame bulk.

23. Side Part Curly Taper

Built for wavy or curly Indian hair textures. The sides are taper faded while the top keeps its natural curl pattern instead of being forced straight. Skip the gel here since it tends to crystallize and flake in humidity. A leave in cream works much better, keeping curls defined without stiffness, and holding up through a full day of heat.

How To Choose The Right Side Part Hairstyle For Men

The biggest mistake guys make is copying a haircut without thinking about their own hair type or face shape. A side part that looks amazing on someone with thick straight hair can look completely different on thinner or curlier hair.

If you have thick hair, textured styles, quiffs, and longer side parts usually work well because the hair naturally holds shape and volume. Thin hair usually looks better with shorter textured styles because they create the illusion of density.

Face shape matters too. Rounder faces generally benefit from more height on top and cleaner sides because it makes the face appear longer. Square faces can pull off most side part styles pretty easily because the jawline already gives the haircut structure.

Lifestyle matters more than people think too. If you hate styling your hair every morning, don’t pick a high-maintenance pompadour just because it looks good on Pinterest.

Best Side Part haircuts Based On Face Shape

Round Face

Go for haircuts with cleaner sides and more height on top. Quiffs and side part fades usually work really well because they make the face look sharper and slightly longer.

Oval Face

Oval faces can honestly wear almost every side part hairstyle. Classic, textured, faded, messy, longer styles. Most variations work naturally without needing too many adjustments.

Square Face

Square faces already have strong angles, so side part haircuts usually look sharp automatically. Tapers, textured styles, and cleaner classic side parts all work especially well here.

Diamond Face

Diamond face shapes usually look better with slightly softer sides and natural texture on top. Extremely tight fades can sometimes make the cheekbones look too wide or pronounced.

How To Style A Side Part Hairstyle For Men

Step 1: Start With Damp Hair

Hair is much easier to shape when it’s slightly damp. Completely dry hair usually becomes harder to control and style neatly.

Step 2: Apply Product

Pick the product based on the finish you want. Matte clay gives texture and a more casual look. Pomade creates shine and stronger hold.

Step 3: Create The Part

Use a comb or your fingers to separate the hair naturally to one side. Following your natural part usually makes styling much easier daily.

Step 4: Blow Dry For Shape

Most good haircuts honestly come from blow drying, not product. Even thirty seconds of heat can improve volume and overall shape massively.

Step 5: Finish The Style

Adjust the texture with your fingers and avoid overloading the hair with product. Too much product usually makes side parts look greasy instead of sharp.

How To Ask Your Barber For A Side Part Haircut

Saying “give me a side part” usually isn’t enough because there are so many variations now. Your barber needs more detail to understand the actual look you want.

Tell them:

• whether you want a fade or taper
• how short you want the sides
• how much length to keep on top
• whether you want texture or cleaner styling
• if you want a hard part or natural part

Honestly, reference photos help more than anything. Even good barbers can interpret the same haircut name differently.

Conclusion

Side part haircuts for men have stayed popular for a reason. They’re versatile, stylish, and easy to adapt for different hair types, face shapes, and personal styles. Some versions look clean and classic while others feel more modern and relaxed. The key is choosing a style that actually works for your hair and lifestyle instead of blindly following trends.