9 Top Men's Ivy League Haircut Trending in 2025

The Ivy League haircut has remained timeless. It is a popular choice for men who want a classy and practical look. This haircut combines the neatness of a traditional style with the flexibility to adapt to various styles. This haircut is perfect for both office and casual outings. It offers a blend of style and comfort. In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this haircut, its key features, variations, and how you can style it to suit your personality and lifestyle.

Types of Ivy League Haircut

There are several types of fade haircuts. Each looks different depending on how high or low the fade starts. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular ones:

Classic Ivy League:

The Classic Ivy League is a clean, professional, and timeless style. It features short sides with a neatly tapered back and longer hair on top that can be styled with a side part or combed back. It is often described as a refined version of the crew cut. It is Ideal for you if you want a sharp look.

Style Profile	Details
Face Shape	Oval, Square, Heart
Hair Type	Straight, Wavy
Hair Texture	Fine to Medium
Hair Length	Short sides, medium top
Best for Occasion	Business, Casual, Formal
Product Recommendation	Light Hold Gel, Pomade

Short Ivy League:

The Short Ivy League has a more compact and minimalistic look. The hair on top is kept short and close to the scalp. The sides are usually faded or tapered, which gives the hairstyle a clean, well-groomed appearance. This version is excellent if you want a low-maintenance yet polished look that requires little styling.

Style Profile	Details
Face Shape	Any
Hair Type	Straight, Fine
Hair Texture	Any
Hair Length	Short top and sides
Best for Occasion	Everyday, Casual, Business
Product Recommendation	Light Hold Gel, Mousse

Long Ivy League:

The Long Ivy League features a bit more length on top compared to the classic version, offering a more versatile and sophisticated look. The top is styled with more volume, allowing for different looks like a side part or a comb-over, while the sides remain short and tapered. This variation is ideal for men who want a more contemporary take on the Ivy League.

Style Profile	Details
Face Shape	Oval, Square, Heart
Hair Type	Straight, Wavy
Hair Texture	Medium to Thick
Hair Length	Longer top, short sides
Best for Occasion	Formal, Casual, Weddings
Product Recommendation	Strong Hold Gel, Hair Cream

Textured Ivy League:

If you prefer a bit of volume and movement in your hair, the textured Ivy League is a great choice. This style keeps the length on top but adds layers for a more relaxed, modern vibe. It works well if you want a casual look that still appears put-together.

Style Profile	Details
Face Shape	Any
Hair Type	Wavy, Curly, Straight
Hair Texture	Thick, Wavy, Curly
Hair Length	Short sides, textured top
Best for Occasion	Casual, Everyday
Product Recommendation	Texturizing Spray, Mousse

Ivy League with Side Part:

This style features a side part that gives your look a classic, vintage vibe. You can keep the side part soft or make it more defined for a sharper contrast. It’s a great choice for anyone who likes a timeless and classy look.

Style Profile	Details
Face Shape	Oval, Square, Heart
Hair Type	Straight, Wavy
Hair Texture	Fine to Medium
Hair Length	Short sides, medium top
Best for Occasion	Business, Formal
Product Recommendation	Light Hold Gel, Pomade

Ivy League with Fade:

The Ivy League with Fade features a tapered side and back fade that blends with the longer hair on top. This variation gives the haircut a more contemporary edge by adding depth and dimension. It’s a stylish yet professional option for you if you want a bold look.

Style Profile	Details
Face Shape	Oval, Square, Heart
Hair Type	Straight, Curly
Hair Texture	Any
Hair Length	Short sides, longer top
Best for Occasion	Business, Casual, Night Out
Product Recommendation	Hair Cream, Strong Hold Gel

Pompadour Ivy League:

This combines the traditional Ivy League cut with the voluminous pompadour style on top. The top hair is styled upward and back, while the sides are kept short and neat. This variation offers a more retro, vintage flair. It’s perfect for you if you are looking for a bold yet polished look.

Style Profile	Details
Face Shape	Oval, Square
Hair Type	Straight, Wavy
Hair Texture	Medium to Thick
Hair Length	Long top, short sides
Best for Occasion	Formal, Weddings, Evening
Product Recommendation	Strong Hold Pomade, Gel

Ivy League with Textured Fringe:

This style incorporates a slightly longer fringe at the front and styled with texture. The rest of the hair is kept neat, while the front adds a bit of modern flair. This variation is suitable for men who want a professional look with a bit of a relaxed, trendy vibe.

Style Profile	Details
Face Shape	Oval, Square, Heart
Hair Type	Straight, Fine
Hair Texture	Fine to Medium
Hair Length	Short sides, textured fringe
Best for Occasion	Casual, Business
Product Recommendation	Texturizing Cream, Gel

Ivy League with Buzzed Sides:

This cut features the signature Ivy League top with extremely short or buzzed sides. The buzzed sides offer a more military-inspired look. This hairstyle is perfect for those who want the Ivy League aesthetic with an added touch of boldness and simplicity.

Style Profile	Details
Face Shape	Oval, Square
Hair Type	Any
Hair Texture	Any
Hair Length	Buzzed sides, longer top
Best for Occasion	Everyday, Casual, Business
Product Recommendation	Light Styling Gel, Mousse

What is the Ivy League Haircut?

The Ivy League haircut is a smart, sophisticated style often called the Princeton cut. Think of it as a longer version of the crew cut. It’s short on the sides and back, while the hair on top is kept longer, especially towards the front. This allows you to style it in various ways, whether you prefer a neat, side-parted look or a casual, tousled style.

This haircut is popular among men because it gives them a polished, professional appearance with the option to keep it casual. It’s easy to maintain and style, so it’s a practical choice for everyday wear.

What are the Key Features of the Ivy League Haircut?

The key elements of this haircut can help you decide if it’s the right choice for you. Here’s a closer look at its main features:

Length: The sides and back are kept short with scissors or clippers. The hair on top, especially towards the front, is kept longer (around 1-2 inches). This length provides flexibility in styling.
Versatility: The extra length on top allows you to style it in many ways. Whether you want a formal side part or a tousled, carefree look, you can easily achieve both with this haircut.
Adaptability: The haircut fits well with different hair types, including straight, wavy, and slightly curly hair. This adaptability makes it a practical choice for many.
Timeless Appeal: This haircut has been around for decades, and it’s not going out of style anytime soon. Its classic look can fit all the trends in men’s fashion. It is a safe and stylish option for every man.
For All Ages: It doesn’t matter what age group you belong to. This haircut fits well for men of all ages. From teenagers to older gentlemen, it provides a stylish and appropriate look that suits every stage of life.

Suitability of Face Shapes and Hair Types

Here are some tips to guide you what suits your face shape or hair type.

Face Shapes

This haircut works well for oval, square, and heart-shaped faces. The style helps add balance and frame the face to enhance your features. The longer top can soften the angles if you have a square face. For oval and heart-shaped faces, a longer top helps add structure.

Hair Types

This haircut works best with straight, wavy, or slightly curly hair. Men with straight hair can easily achieve a smooth, polished look. Men with wavy hair can use the natural texture for a more dynamic appearance. If you have slightly curly hair, then it is suggested to you to keep the top longer. You can use a light styling product to help define the curls while maintaining the shape.

Maintenance Tips for the Haircut

It’s important to take regular care of the haircut properly to keep it looking sharp. Here are some tips to maintain it:

Regular Trims

It is recommended to visit your barber every 2-3 weeks to keep the sides short and the top in shape. Regular trims help maintain the clean, refined look that the Ivy League is known for.

Daily Styling Routine

A little product goes a long way. You can apply a small amount of pomade or wax daily to keep your hair in place. If you prefer a natural look, opt for a lightweight product that doesn’t weigh your hair down.

Choose a Skilled Barber

The Ivy League cut requires precision. So, try to find a skilled barber who understands the style and ensures you get the perfect cut every time.

Celebrities Who Styled Ivy League Cut

Many well-known celebrities have styled this haircut and proven that it is also timeless and stylish.

Ryan Gosling:

He is well known for his sophisticated style. Gosling often sports the Ivy League cut with a subtle side part that adds a refined touch to his look.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Gyllenhaal prefers a messier version of this haircut. He uses texture to create a more laid-back, approachable appearance. It’s a great example of how the Ivy League cut can be adapted for a relaxed, modern vibe.

FAQs For Ivy League Haircut

The Ivy League haircut is a neat and classic style with short sides and back while keeping the top longer. It’s versatile, so you can style it in different ways, like a side part or a combed-back look, depending on your preference.

This haircut suits men of all ages, from young teens to older gentlemen. It suits all different hair types, like straight, wavy, and slightly curly hair. It’s a great choice for almost everyone.

It’s best to visit your barber every 2-3 weeks to maintain the shape. It helps to keep the sides short and the top tidy ensuring the haircut looks fresh and neat.

Yes, this haircut is quite easy to maintain. You only need a small amount of styling product and a quick comb or finger style in the morning. Regular trims help keep it looking sharp.

Definitely! Adding a fade or an undercut gives the Ivy League a modern twist. A fade creates a gradual transition from the longer top to the shorter sides, while an undercut offers a bold contrast.

The Ivy League haircut leaves more length on top, giving you more styling options like side parts or a combed-back look. The crew cut, on the other hand, is shorter and usually uniform in length.

Conclusion

The Ivy League haircut is a versatile and stylish option that suits men of all ages and lifestyles. Its classic yet adaptable nature makes it a perfect choice for a professional, polished, relaxed, casual style. With different variations and easy styling options, this cut can be customized to fit your personality and daily routine.

Ready to try the Ivy League? Visit your barber, ask for the look, and experiment with the different styles to see which fits you best.

9 Top Men’s Ivy League Haircut Trending in 2025