The world of fashion is dominated at the moment by throwbacks in all their various forms. The 1950s reigns strong with Cuban collared shirts and pleated trousers while boxy 1980s styled suits look set to sweep in soon. When it comes to hairstyles though, modernity still prevails with short, textured crops a la Becks the favoured go to, which sort of goes against all of the vintage vibes given off by our newfound love for dressing like Cary Grant running around at Club Med.

A style that Grant himself was a particular pro at was the side part, with his lacquered waves flowing from the prominent parting on the right-hand side of his do. While the side parting and its associations with timeless elegance are evident (see everyone from Don Draper to Clark Kent), the origins of the style are less clear, but it is thought to emanate from the military.

This high and tight side part style originally fashioned for soldiers picked up again in popularity at the beginning of the 2010s (think Macklemore – remember him?) but it can also be worn less severe and in rotation with other styles, as a side part is less reliant on the cut and more on the products and tools you have at your disposal. Here we trace everything you need to know to perfect it like a Hollywood icon from sitting down with the barber to preparing it right out of the shower.

In The Barber Chair

“A side parting can smarten up most haircuts, from a skin fade to a tapered scissor cut,” says Dan Glass, a senior barber at the Covent Garden branch of Murdock barbers. The key rule would be to ask for the sides shorter than the top, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be shaven.

A classic 1920s styled combover as sported most regularly and recently by George Clooney requires more hair than the undercut military side parting (see: Brad Pitt). For this more vintage style, have it cut to a grade 2 or 3 on the sides or even just trimmed down with scissors and choose a grade 4 on top for the contrast. You may also opt for a hard parting, which is when a line is shaved to emphasise the parting of the hair – a modern creation that sharpens the distinction between sides further.