Today, we’re going to walk you through a particularly dapper haircut that’s been increasing in popularity. The style is a combination of elements from classic men’s styles, and the result is a contemporary twist that breathes new life into old standbys.

This style is a combination of a side part, a fade or taper, and a slicked back top. It’s simple enough, but it packs a punch. If you’re tired of your current haircut and need a refreshing style, try this one.

What do I need for the dapper haircut?

This cut works best if you have straight or wavy hair because the hair will need to be slicked back. If you have curly (but not coiled) hair, you may be able to pull of this haircut, but it will be a bit more difficult.

You’ll also need your favorite hair product. A medium hold gel or wax should be fine for most hair types. If you have hair that’s tough to manage, look for a firm hold product. A matte product is also preferable because it looks like no product was added to the hair, so there’s no greasy appearance.

How to Get the Dapper Haircut

First, ask your barber to fade (or taper) the sides and back. The hair should fade up from about a #1 to a #2. This fade should be repeated on your temples, so the resulting look will be a nice overall fade.

Next, ask your barber to blend the clippered hair using the scissors over comb technique (instead of clippers). When this step is done, your hair should look nicely blended together. In other words, you shouldn’t see a dramatic difference between the top and the sides/back.

Finally, ask for the hair on top to be trimmed to the length you want. You can go for any length, but we find that anywhere from 2 to 4 inches is good for this cut. You want to have enough hair on top so that you can slick it back and part it, but you don’t want too much, or else it will become unmanageable. If you’re aiming for a more voluminous dapper haircut, you’ll probably want your hair to be on the longer end of the spectrum, about 3 to 4 inches.