The side part is a timeless men’s hairstyle that involves naturally parting your hair across the head and to the side to create an elegant, masculine and confident look. From long to short, classy side part haircuts are attractive, easy to wear and versatile for modern guys who want to exude sophistication while looking effortlessly stylish. The style can be flattering and handsome for formal occasions like weddings, in the office during the week and at a club on the weekends.

The most popular side parts feature a short taper or trendy fade on the sides and back with neatly parted longer hair on top, achieving a polished and clean-cut vibe. For a bold touch, ask your barber to add a shaved line to provide a hard part that emphasizes the style. This classic haircut style can suit any texture, length or face shape for the perfect finish.

Read on to see the most charming side part hairstyles for men to inspire your next appointment at the barbershop.

Handsome Men’s Side Part Haircut Styles

Modern Hard Side Part with Low Fade

Sharp and sleek, a modern hard side part with a low fade offers a clean and defined look. The hard part gives the style a well-groomed and structured appearance, while the fade adds a modern touch. Comb the hair to one side with a firm hold gel or pomade for a polished style that stays in place all day.

Clean Side Parting with Stylish Mid Fade

A clean side parting with a mid fade strikes the perfect balance between a gentlemanly cut and a sophisticated, modern style. The neat parting requires minimal styling and creates a sharp transition between the volume on top and the bold, faded sides. The cut pulls attention to the sleek, combed-over hair for a versatile look that will flatter most facial features.

Hard Side Part Quiff

A hard side part quiff is an effortlessly cool approach that you can maintain with heat, a round brush and essential styling products. Wear the quiff slicked to one side for a polished, Elvis-like look or tousle it with pomade to create a texturized quiff. The hard part gives the style a clean and defined element that stops it from looking overly disheveled on relaxed days.

Brushed Up Part with Low Fade

A brushed-up part with a modern low fade can be a fresh choice for guys who want a bold look and some youthful energy. The textured brush-up style commands attention and can be seamlessly adapted to suit different hair lengths and textures. The gradual, tapered sides also pull focus to the dynamic top. You can easily maintain your look with light clipper trims at the barbershop.

Classic Side Part For Older Gentlemen

A classic side part is a timeless and traditional haircut for older gentlemen who appreciate a neatly combed top with a shorter back and sides. Regular trims to the top and scissor-cut sides are all you need to maintain the clean lines of this iconic hairstyle. Wear the hair slicked to the side for high-pressure office days or worn naturally with a rugged beard when off-duty.

Professional Hard Side Part Fade with Heavy Stubble Beard

This business-professional hard side part fade pairs with a disconnected stubble beard to deliver a modern and stylish look. The hard side part offers instant dimension to the cut, and you can keep the top shorter for a low-maintenance morning routine. Integrating a stubble beard adds a rugged element to the look that oozes masculinity.

Clean Part with Low Drop Fade

A clean part looks striking with a low drop fade, providing an effortless transition between the sleek top and the edgy sides. The faded sides offer a subtle framing effect that emphasizes this style’s timeless lines and slicked top.

Don Draper Side Part

The Don Draper side part is a classic men’s hairstyle featuring a clean part and sleek top. Inspired by Jon Hamm’s character on Mad Men, this handsome parted hairstyle comes with a glossy, combed-over top, creating definition and sophistication. A longer length all over and some good pomade or gel are all you need to achieve a classy style with a polished feel.

Gentleman’s Side Part with Low Taper

A gentleman’s side part is a timeless style that blends a classic shape on top with modern, faded sides. The side part creates structure and volume on top, while the low taper maintains a subtle gradient for impressive visual interest. Add an extreme part and heavy stubble to complement your masculine features.

Old School Side Part

The old-school side part is a sophisticated and bold style with a slicked top and neatly tapered sides. This traditional hairstyle is generally low-maintenance and only requires semi-regular trims to keep the clean lines and short sides in check. Sweep the hair to the side with a high-shine pomade for a formal appearance with zero flyaways.

Brushed Up Part with Low Bald Fade

Youthful and edgy, a brushed-up part with a low fade is a dynamic style for guys with natural volume. Brush the hair upward and back to create height and add heat to the mix for extra lift. You can then taper the hair down to the skin around the neckline to create charming contrast.

Hard Side Part with Low Razor Fade and Spiky Fringe

A hard side part with a low razor fade and spiky fringe is a low-maintenance cut designed for rebels. The spiked front gives the style a punk-rock edge brimming with movement and visual interest. Taper the sides to the skin to achieve a smooth, seamless appearance that complements the hard side part’s clean lines.

Cool Hard Side Part with Low Drop Fade

A hard side part with a drop fade involves tapering the sides down to the skin and combining the cut with a clean, shaved line. While the hard part creates an extreme transition between the top and the sides, the blended drop fade keeps the style sleek and smart. Grow and groom a full beard for a manly touch.

Sleek Side Part with High Razor Fade and Short Beard

A sleek side part looks awesome with a high razor fade and a short beard for fresh contrast that will stand out anywhere. The part line creates a precise distinction between the top and sides, while the extreme razor fade offers dramatic visual interest. To balance rounder features, throw a disconnected beard into the mix.

Side Part with Thick Fringe and Tapered Sides

A side part with a thick fringe gets balance and drama from short, tapered sides. Pulling the full fringe to the side gives the cut a youthful appearance. Hold thick strands in place with a matte styling product and ask your barber for light layers through the top for extra movement.

Modern Hard Side Part with Mid Fade

This modern, hard side part creates a polished, structured style with a balanced aesthetic. The short, blended mid fade pulls focus to the textured top, and you can spike up the front of the hair for a rebellious finish. A skilled barber should be able to choose a placement for the hard part that flatters your face shape and unique features.

Long Side Part

A long side part lets you showcase flowing locks and natural volume with a dapper, sweeping style. Mid-length hair can be styled up and back with short, scissor-cut sides to create a timeless and polished style. Add texture and volume to natural strands with sea salt spray when you’re not using pomade to slick your hair.

Long Side Swept Look with Mid Taper Fade

A long side swept look with a mid taper fade is a contemporary cut that combines a longer top with bold, tapered sides. The incredible volume from the top gives this style an old-school feel, while a hard part and blended fade modernize the look. The aesthetic on top will be clean and tidy but should provide noticeable contrast against the graduated taper.

Curly Side Part with Fade

A curly side part with a fade is perfect for guys with enviable natural texture. Pulling the curls to one side gives the hair on top a dynamic structure that complements the lively mess of curls. The faded sides add a modern element to the cut, giving sleek contrast against the softer top. Keep your curls smooth and frizz-free with a moisturizing conditioner and curl cream.

Loose Comb Over Side Part with Tapered Sides

Playful and relatively unstructured, this loose comb over side part with tapered sides is ideal for younger men. The comb over offers a timeless feel, while the clean tapering and side part provide well-defined and flattering lines to enhance your features. Use a high-hold wax to style a comb over or apply some sea salt spray for a looser, texturized look.

Masculine Comb Over Fade with Part and Beard

A ruggedly handsome comb over fade with a part and beard pairs a fuller top with graduated sides for a masculine appearance that leans modern. Use a small amount of wax or pomade to shape the hair and add effortless flow to the front strands. Lightly lift the roots for added volume or let the locks lie flat for a relaxed and refined style. Throw in a shaved line for a more defined part.

Side Part Quiff

A side part quiff involves carefully combing the hair to one side to make a distinct parting and structured lift on top. Part the hair with a well-defined line and lift the hair upward and back to create sky-high volume around the front. A striking taper fade will give the retro top a bold edge that contrasts the shape on top.

Half Side Part with Long Fringe and Temp Fade

This versatile half-side part with a long fringe is a timeless but quirky look packed with texture and visual interest. A sharp, shaved part pulls focus to the seamless, tapered sides and creates a connected look that highlights the volume up front. Complement natural curls or waves with choppy layers and separate strands with a dot of clay paste or curl-defining cream.

High Volume Pompadour Part with Elegant Short Fade

A high-volume pompadour part with an elegant short fade is perfect for men who want to showcase their thick, long hair. Layer the length on top and taper your hair towards the back with light layers to give the front a lifted look.

Hard Comb Over and High Fade

A sexy hard comb over with a high fade is an excellent choice for guys with less volume on top. The dramatic high fade creates an edgy aesthetic against the well-groomed top and dramatic shaved line. Sharpen the look and express your rebellious side with a daring high fade and a striking shaved part.

Side Part Comb Over with Scissor-Cut Sides

A side part comb over with scissor-cut sides offers an easy-to-wear, natural hairstyle for teenage boys and younger men who want a classy, versatile look. The looser scissor cut contours well to the head and will grow back more naturally than buzzed sides. This technique should create a seamless transition between the voluminous comb over that grows out like a dream.

Ivy League Side Part

Classic and clean, an Ivy League side part combines neatly tapered sides with longer hair on top for a refined look. Tapering the sides removes unnecessary weight and the voluminous hair at the crown elongates the face by adding structure. Let your hair lie naturally against the face, or use styling clay and heat for all-day volume. A light mist of hair spray will manage any flyaways.

Part with High Fade and Design

A fresh hard part with a cool hair design and clean fade is an edgy choice for men who want to highlight their personality with flair and draw attention. Pulling hair towards the center offers a balanced look, while the high faded sides show off some volume on top. Boost your style with shaved lines, zig-zags, lightning bolts or tribal patterns that hint at your roots.

Short Off-Center Part with Taper Fade

Perfect for trendsetters, a short, off-center part can be paired with a taper fade for a well-blended and sleek aesthetic. Brushing the hair backward creates impressive lift at the crown, and the off-center part gives the style striking asymmetry. Secure your style with a lick of pomade or styling cream.

Short Side Part Fade

A short side part fade is a stylish and professional haircut for men who want to combine a classic style with modern features to achieve a smooth, refreshing look. This relaxed, low-maintenance style is beautifully balanced with a long beard and an edgy shaved parting. For a daring look, opt for a high bald fade that pulls the eye to the minimal volume on top. Regular barber visits should keep your sides tight and the length easy to manage.

Side Part with Undercut

A side part with an undercut is a smooth and rebellious cut for young guys who appreciate a refined look with a modern aesthetic. A high undercut offers glorious contrast against the sleek, contoured hair on top for an eye-catching finish. Keep longer strands in place with a strong pomade and a fine-tooth comb.

Textured Hard Comb Over Part with Low Fade

A textured hard comb over with a subtle low fade is a contemporary style with impressive volume at the crown. You’ll need to grow out the top and use heat to achieve badass lift at the front. Layering the locks can also help you achieve dynamic movement across the top on low-effort days.

Thick Hard Part

A thick hard part is a sexy and textured style for any modern guy wanting to add volume and personality to his look. The youthful swoop across the top can be left to fall slightly forward or secured to the side for a retro feel. A hairdryer and a round brush are perfect for adding volume and lift to the bulk of the hair. A razored hard part can be combined with a full, connected beard for a finish that radiates sex appeal and masculine energy.

Angular Pompadour Side Part

The angular pompadour side part can be a contemporary take that combines two classic styles for a charming finish. The fuller top is shaped into a signature mound with heat and styling products to make a bold statement on shorter hair. A bold fade or gradually tapered sides will create modern contrast against the old-school pompadour.

What Is A Side Part?

The side part is the quintessential gentleman’s hairstyle featuring a defined parting to the side, providing a smooth, dapper and flawless finish. Historically, the refined style can be reminiscent of the aristocracy and upper classes, but in the early 20th century, gangsters and the middle class embraced the parted look.

The classic side part is characterized by a similar length all over the head with a sleek, high-shine finish. Contemporary versions incorporate fades, tapers and undercuts and offer a textured look for an updated, fresh aesthetic. Getting a hard part in your side parting will elevate the cut and make it easier to style.

How To Part Your Hair For Men

Parting your hair can be simple when you start with a proper haircut, use a good styling product and have a comb. To part your hair, you’ll want to follow the natural direction of your cowlick. If your cowlick spirals clockwise, then your natural part is on the left.

1. Start with clean, slightly damp hair to create the perfect side part.
2. After towel-drying, apply a strong pomade, gel or wax all over your hair to ensure a proper hold and some shine.
3. Part your hair with a comb by pulling your strands across the head and to one side. You can brush diagonally to add some flair or push your locks directly across for a classic, combed-over finish.
4. Define the part by combing down the other. A shaved hard part can highlight your natural line, adding definition and structure.
5. Set your style with a blow dryer, if necessary.