While most of the characters have harshly shaved sides and a sharp undercut hairstyle, the style on top varies. Some wear the Peaky Blinders haircut with a simple side parting, some with a textured French crop, some with a quiff and some with slicked-back hair. This versatility is probably the other reason it became popular IRL.

The gang mentality was important to get across too, as Schiavo, explains: “In the post-war era when ‘Peaky world’ is set, they used to shave their heads because of lice.” Yes, this hipster-friendly haircut had a very practical, rather grim function of helping prevent the spread of lice between troops and within the poverty-stricken population at home.

“But the look I was after when I designed the cut for the series, was so you only saw skin when the boys were wearing hats,” she says. “This is so you only really see the individual character when he removes his hat.” This effect presumably would also have made it harder for witnesses to identify a gangster if he got caught in the act.

The Best Peaky Blinders Haircuts 

1. Thomas Shelby

The Thomas Shelby haircut is one of the most iconic haircuts in the entire show. Gang leader and criminal businessman, Tommy, sports a short back and sides with a cropped top that’s several inches long. Similar to a French crop, the top is layered to create texture, with a longer part at the front. 

This is then brushed forward to create an asymmetrical fringe that rests on one side of Tommy’s forehead. Meanwhile, the sides are shaved to between a grade 1 and 3 (depending on the series), making this a great choice for men with elongated faces and chiseled jawlines. A high fade can also be added for a more wearable look.

2. Arthur Shelby

The brawn of the gang, Arthur, is the eldest of the Shelby brothers and the most volatile. As a result, his hairstyle features the most severe contrast out of all of the characters. The sides are considerably shorter than Tommy’s at around a grade 0 – 1 and the long top is slicked back to create Arthur’s signature look.