It’s a fact:

Only a handful of hairstyles that can claim to be low-maintenance, classy, and modern, all at the same time.

And the Side Part is one of them.

It’s a timeless hairstyle that owes much of its success to its adaptability and ease of styling.

Moreover, it pairs well with most hair types, hairstyles, and face shapes.

And, as such:

It has become a popular choice for most guys – from schoolboys to business people.

Now:

This post showcases some of the best Side Part haircuts, tips on how to get one, and more.

So, if you’re ready, let’s dive in

What is The Side Part Haircut?

First of all:

You have to know what the Side Part, a.k.a. the Gentleman’s cut – is (the classic version).

And:

As the name implies, a Side Part haircut requires a guy’s hair to have a part on one side.

But that’s not the end of it.

The sides and back need to be shorter than the top and should fall naturally.

The top is then parted (from the front to the temple) and combed over to one side.

So, the basic concept is this:

You have relatively short sides and back with longer hair on top, which is side-swept over to one side of your head.

With that, you’ll have done a Side Part hairstyle.

But, here’s a question for you:

What is the difference between a Side Part and a Comb-Over?

Well, let’s see.

Side Part vs. Comb Over

Fact:

The differences between the two are quite subtle, and most people often confuse them.

As you already know, these two hairstyles are often combined – making it harder to distinguish them.

However, this is the bottom line:

The Comb Over emphasizes on volume and length together with how the hair falls to the side; meanwhile, the Side Part focuses on how and where the hair separates on the scalp.

Plus, the Side Part features a distinctive line separating the hair into two parts (a big top and side on one side and a small side part on the other).

Now:

Despite the seemingly minute differences, each of these hairstyles can give an entirely different appearance, trust me.

Top 8 Side Part hairstyles in 2024

1) Classic Side Part

Sported by iconic men, such as David Beckham and Don Draper – from Mad Men – the Classic Side Part haircut exudes class and sophistication.

This hairstyle features longer hair on top, which is often side-swept.

Meanwhile, the sides have a short taper.

How do you get it?

• Well, start by cutting the sides and back.
• The hair should be short along the hairline and gradually get longer as you near the top.
• After cutting, find your natural part line and proceed to part the hair.
• Next, you’ll want to comb the top hair over to the other side.

Now:

To get that wet-look finish often associated with the Classic Side Part haircut, you’ll need to use a high shine pomade.

However:

You can also choose to go with a matte texture for a low shine appearance.

2) Pompadour Side Part

For a classy, contemporary look, try combining your Side Part with a Pompadour.

So:

• To get this hairstyle, you’ll need to start by shaving the sides and back.
• Next, apply some pomade throughout the hair and evenly distribute it using a comb.
• Once done, find your natural part line and proceed to part the hair.
• Then, use some high hold pomade and style the top part into a Pomp, and lock it in place.

Ps:

For this to work, you’ll need to have medium to long hair on top.

3) Modern Side Part

The Modern Side Part hairstyle the perfect choice for anyone looking for a truly contemporary spin on the classic hairstyle.

Why?

Because the Modern Side Part features a lot of the contemporary and on-trend styles seen today.

For example:

You can have a hard part instead of the usual soft part, textures and layers, a natural finish, and faded sides.

Case in point:

You can decide to get a mid-fade with relatively longer hair on top paired with a hard part.

Note:

A hard part is essentially your part line but shaved in to make a thick and noticeable hard line. This works to create a contrast between the parts with hair and those without. And if you have a beard, it becomes even better.

4) Wavy Side Part

This hairstyle is particularly suited to those with naturally wavy/curly hair looking for a low-maintenance, carefree look.

Now:

Although I would advise getting a low or medium fade on the sides and back, you can also opt for a taper.

Skin fades also work well.

Once the sides are done and dusted, it’s time to style the top.

Here, you’ll want to use a matte pomade with less hold for a textured, natural, and relaxed appearance.

Moreover:

You can go with a hard part on the side if you like.

5) Short Side Part

Want an extremely low maintenance variation of the Side Part?

Then go short!

Short hair on top and faded sides make this haircut clean-cut and extremely easy to style.

Moreover:

The Short Side Part haircut is versatile and easy to cut.

Note:

If you have thick hair and want to style it off to the side, opt for a high hold pomade, gel, or wax.

Should it have high or low shine?

Well, that’s utterly dependent on your taste.

Also:

You can style the hair towards the front or the back.

6) Side Part Undercut

Nothing says contemporary, timeless, and sophisticated better than a Side Part haircut paired with an edgy Undercut.

So, how do you get it?

• For starters, deal with your sides. Instead of a taper, you want to get a very high fade.
• Therefore, you’ll want to cut almost at the part line. Why? To give you a lot of contrast between the short sides and the long hair on top.
• To make this hairstyle a little less edgy, consider leaving a bit of hair just beneath the part line.
• As for the top, use some pomade, gel, or wax and arc the hair off to one side.

Alternatively, you can use a matte product to add a bit of texture to your finish.

Now:

This hairstyle is a bit risky, but it pays off.

Plus, you can put in a hard part to convert the hairstyle into a Disconnected Undercut.

7) Curly Side Part

I’ve must say:

If there’s something more charming than a Curly Side Part, please let me know in the comments below.

To get this hairstyle:

• Start by separating the top part with either clips or bands.
• Next, start buzzing the sides with a clipper.
• Although I’d recommend a mid-fade, you can opt for any fade or taper you fancy.

Now:

For the styling, use a matte product to give your curls a more natural look.

Luckily, you don’t need to have natural curls to rock this style.

With the help of a curling iron, anyone with straight hair can also rock a curly Side Part haircut.

8) Side Part + High Fade

Yep, you guessed it.

Combining a fade with most hairstyles always looks good.

Why?

Contrast people. Contrast!

You have several options here:

• You can choose a high, low or medium fade. All of which are very effective.
• But, for the ultimate contemporary look, go for a skin fade with a hard part. With this, the fade will start at the edge of the part line and fade down to the skin.

As for the styling, I would advise going for a matte textured finish.

And that’s it, bet before I call it a post, here are a few tips for you.

How to Do a Side Part Haircut

Are you psyched about getting your new Side Part Haircut at home?

If so, here’s what you should do…

Ensure you have everything you’ll need including:

• A hair clipper.
• Fine-toothed comb.
• A pair of scissors.
• A reference photo.
• And about 2-4 inches of hair on top.

Once you have these, it’s time to get in front of a mirror and start cutting.

Now:

• Using clips or bands, tie the top part, and separate it from the rest of the hair. Once the top part is separated, you can proceed to cut the sides and back.
• Although the length of hair you leave is entirely up to you, make sure it is shorter at the hairline and longer towards the top. That is if you don’t want a fade. Therefore, the sides should be shorter towards the ears and longer at the perennial ridge (where the sides meet the top).
• As for the back, make it shorter at the nape and longer at the crown.

If you fancy a fade, you can:

• Choose either a high, low or medium fade. Pro tip – High and skin fades tend to be too edgy for official occasions. So, to strike a balance between conservative and trendy, choose a low or mid fade. Having a reference will help you choose what works best for you.
• Now, with the sides complete, you can move over to the top. Here, you’ll just need to trim the hair to fit your desired style. You can choose to go long or short. Plus, you can put in a Hard Part.

Now:

Let me level with you.

Putting in a Hard Part can be tricky and disastrous to your new-found hairdo if you get it wrong. So, if you are on the fence about it, let someone else do it – like a barber.

Moving on…

How to Part a Man’s Hair

Before we get to the styling, let’s see how you can effectively part a man’s hair.

1. First, determine which side your hair naturally falls. You can do this by brushing your hair forward and lightly shaking your head to see where the hair starts to separate. Note, if you have a Hard Part, then your hair should fall to the other side of the head.

2. Next, add more definition to the different sides by combing or brushing the hair.

3. When the sides are clearly defined, use a blow drier to keep the hair in place.

By now:

You should have a decent Side Part.

Don’t beat yourself up it isn’t perfect, these things take time and practice to master.

Next up, let’s see how to style this awesome haircut.

How to Style a Side Part Haircut

Styling a Side Part isn’t that hard.

All you need is some styling product, a comb, and you’re ready to go.

1. Start with moist, towel-dried hair.
2. Next, apply some pomade or wax to your hair, use a comb to evenly distribute it.
3. Following the steps above, proceed to part your hair.
4. Once you have a neat side part, you can finish off the styling with either a casual or classy look. A relaxed, more natural look will need some texture, height, and volume. Meanwhile, a refined finish will only require a high shine pomade.
5. Although entirely optional, consider running your finger through your Side Part for a more relaxed appearance.

Pro Tip:

Keep both a shiny and a matte product handy to easily alternate between looks.

Maintenance

Due to its low maintenance nature, taking care of a Side Part often boils down to trimming.

So, you’ll need to keep the top and sides trimmed; the frequency of this can vary from hairstyle to hairstyle.

However:

Having a trim once or twice a month will suffice.

Here’s a fun fact:

If you keep trimming the sides and let the top part grow out, you’ll end up with an Undercut.

Conclusion

Well, that’s everything you need to know about the Side Part haircut.

Here’s the bottom line:

This hairstyle is timeless, classy, and when paired with the right cut, contemporary.

That’s how it has managed to stick around for so long.

Anyway, it’s your turn:

Do you have any questions or thoughts? If so, please let me know in the comments below.

Until next time… #StaySafe