18 Best Side Part Haircuts For Men

Side Part Haircuts For Men

Side part haircuts for men never really go out of style. Every few years the trend changes a bit, but the side part always finds its way back because it simply looks good on most guys. Clean, sharp, easy to style, and versatile enough to work for both office days and casual weekends.

What makes this haircut so popular is how adaptable it is. A classic side part can look polished and mature, while a textured version feels more relaxed and modern. You can pair it with a fade, taper, undercut, curls, waves, or even medium-length hair depending on the kind of look you want.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best side part haircuts for men and help you figure out which one actually suits you.

What Is A Side Part Haircut?

A side part hairstyle is exactly what it sounds like. The hair is naturally split to one side instead of being pushed straight back or forward. Sounds simple, but the final look can change a lot depending on the haircut and styling.

Some side parts look clean and formal. Others feel messy, textured, and more relaxed. That’s why the style has stayed relevant for so long. You can make it look classic, modern, sharp, casual, or somewhere in between.

18 Popular Side Part Haircuts For Men

1. Classic Side Part

This is the haircut most people picture when they hear “side part.” Clean sides, neat top, natural parting. Simple. It works especially well if you dress slightly sharper or work in professional settings. The best thing about this haircut is that it never looks out of place. It just looks put together without trying too hard.

2. Textured Side Part

If the classic side part feels too formal, this is usually the version guys end up liking more. The texture breaks up the clean shape and makes the haircut feel more relaxed. It works really well for thick hair because the movement keeps everything from looking too stiff or bulky. Matte products usually look best here.

3. Side Part Fade

The fade changes the whole feel of the haircut. Instead of looking traditional, the side part suddenly feels sharper and more modern. This style works well for guys who like cleaner sides and stronger contrast. It also photographs really well, which is probably why barbers recommend this version so often now.

4. Side Part Taper

A taper fade side part feels softer than a fade. The sides stay clean, but there isn’t that dramatic skin-to-hair contrast. That makes the haircut easier to wear daily, especially if you want something versatile. You can wear this style casually during the week and still have it look polished enough for formal events.

5. Hard Part Haircut

The hard part adds a shaved line where the parting sits, so the hairstyle looks extra defined. Some guys love that sharp structured finish. Others find it too aggressive. Usually, it works best when paired with fades and cleaner styling. Just remember that hard parts need regular touch-ups or they start losing their shape fast.

6. Side Part Quiff

This quiff style adds height at the front while still keeping the side part visible. It feels stylish without going full pompadour. Guys with thick hair usually pull this off best because the front needs some natural volume. A blow dryer makes a huge difference here. Without volume, the haircut can fall flat pretty quickly.

7. Side Part Pompadour

The pompadour version definitely makes more of a statement. Higher volume, smoother styling, more attention overall. It looks great when done properly, but it also needs more effort than most side part haircuts. If you actually enjoy styling your hair in the morning, this one can look incredibly sharp and polished.

8. Messy Side Part

This is probably one of the easiest versions to wear casually. The side part keeps some structure, but the messy texture stops it from looking too formal. It works especially well with medium-length hair and natural waves. Honestly, slightly imperfect styling usually makes this haircut look better instead of worse.

9. Side Part Undercut

The undercut creates very short sides with much longer hair on top, so the contrast becomes the main focus. This version feels younger and more fashion-forward compared to classic side parts. It works best when the top has some texture and movement. Otherwise, the haircut can start looking too disconnected or severe.

10. Short Side Part

Some guys just want a haircut that looks clean without needing fifteen minutes of styling every morning. That’s where the short side part works really well. Easy maintenance, simple shape, clean finish. It’s also a good option if your hair gets messy quickly throughout the day or you live somewhere hot and humid.

11. Long Side Part

Longer side parts have a softer and more relaxed look compared to shorter versions. The extra length creates movement and makes the hairstyle feel more effortless. Thick or slightly wavy hair usually suits this style best. The key is keeping the hair controlled enough so it looks intentional instead of overgrown.

12. Wavy Side Part

Waves naturally make side part haircuts look better because they add texture without much effort. The haircut already has movement built into it. Most guys with wavy hair actually style too heavily and ruin the natural shape. Lightweight creams or texture sprays usually work much better than thick shiny pomades here.

13. Curly Side Part

Curly hair and side parts can work surprisingly well together when the haircut is layered properly. The side part gives the curls some direction instead of letting everything puff outward randomly. Keeping the sides slightly cleaner usually helps balance the volume on top. Moisture also matters a lot more with curly haircuts.

14. Side Part For Thin Hair

A good side part can actually make thin hair look fuller. The trick is adding texture and avoiding heavy products that flatten everything down. A lot of guys make the mistake of slicking thin hair too neatly, which usually exposes the scalp more. Slight messiness honestly works better in most cases.

15. Thick Hair Side Part

Thick hair gives side part haircuts natural fullness, which is great until the haircut starts getting too bulky. That’s why texture matters so much here. Without layering, the sides can puff out and the top can feel heavy. Barbers who understand thick hair usually remove weight instead of simply cutting everything shorter.

16. Ivy League Side Part

The Ivy League haircut sits somewhere between a crew cut and a classic side part. Clean, shorter, and very easy to maintain. This style always gives off a polished and mature look without feeling overly styled. If you want something timeless that still looks modern today, this is honestly a very safe choice.

17. Korean Side Part Hairstyle

Korean-inspired side parts usually focus on softer volume and natural flow instead of ultra-sharp styling. The haircut feels lighter, more relaxed, and slightly youthful. Medium-length straight hair works especially well for this look. Heavy products can ruin the softness, so lightweight creams and natural texture usually give the best results.

18. Side Part With Beard

A side part paired with a beard creates really nice balance. The haircut adds structure while the beard adds texture and masculinity. Clean hair with an unkempt beard rarely works though. One side usually ends up making the other look worse. Keeping both well-groomed makes the whole look feel intentional and sharper.

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.