War, huh, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing… except, perhaps, men’s fashion. We’re not saying that centuries of senseless conflict are made better by the existence of the bomber jacket but, y’know, it’s something.

There’s a good chance that 90 per cent of what’s hanging up in your wardrobe right now was influenced by the military in some way. And the trend extends north of the neckline too.

Many a brilliant hairstyle has its roots planted in the forces and they all share one common trait: these cuts are as timeless as they come. So, if you’re looking for a bomb-proof ‘do, capable of transcending the decades and remaining relevant, then a military cut is definitely something to consider.

Military Grooming Regulations

Being a military man isn’t all about how many chin-ups you can do or how hairy your chest is. Well, it is a little bit, because in addition to all the physical obstacles to navigate on that basic training assault course, recruits need to jump through a few grooming-related hoops too.

The good news for the rest of us is that these strict tonsorial regulations have led to the creation of some of the snappiest haircuts going. But what guidelines do these highly-regimented cuts actually need to adhere to in order to make it out of the barber shop and onto the battlefield?

The Queen’s Regulations for the Army state that: “The hair of the head is to be kept well cut and trimmed, except where authority has been granted otherwise on religious grounds; style and colour (if not natural) is not to be of an exaggerated nature.”

That all sounds pretty straightforward, but in the US, things are a little stricter. Soldiers in the States are required to do all of the above while also ensuring that when the hair is combed it doesn’t fall over the ears or eyebrows. Hair also needs to “present a tapered appearance,” meaning that the back and sides must conform to the curvature of the head.