Short sides with a long top is less a single haircut than a formula, and this gallery shows how far it stretches. On the shorter end are quiffs, pompadours and comb overs over low or skin fades. Then come curtains with a middle part, textured wavy and curly tops, mullets with micro bangs or a dyed tail, a spiky wolf cut, and long-hair options such as a man bun over a taper fade, a shoulder-length cut with a shaved temple and box braids above a mid drop fade.
Your texture shapes the result. Thick, dense hair benefits from disconnected or burst fades that remove bulk; curly and coily hair gets structure from tapered sides while the top keeps its volume. Straight hair holds a pompadour or quiff well but may need texturising spray to avoid looking flat.
Consider your face and routine too. Height on top lengthens round faces, while fringes and mullets with bangs visually shorten longer faces or high foreheads. Skin fades look sharp but need a barber visit every two or three weeks, whereas tapers grow out more gracefully.
1. Curly Mullet with Temple Fade
Curly mullets may have roots in eighties styling, but Yannick & Gabby gave this textured version a modern update with a temple skin fade. It proves the mullet is not only for straight hair; long curls work beautifully too.
Inspiration: @coiffeurstory
2. Mullet with Micro Bangs
Kevin Miller of Miller’s Salon added micro bangs to this edgy mullet, which suits thin hair well. The tiny fringe gives the cut a fashion-forward feel and balances polished and relaxed in one look. It suits fine to medium hair.
Inspiration: @kevinpaulmiller
3. Long Curly Top with Faded Sides
Award-winning Maltese hairstylist Neville Roman Zammit paired a long, tousled curly top with a high skin fade around the temples. The result mixes a slightly bohemian feel with a clean, masculine finish. Diffuse the curls to keep their shape.
Inspiration: @nevilleromanzammit
4. Sharp Fade with a Long Quiff
Stell, a hairdresser and educator, sees disconnection as a way to give a haircut an extra dimension, and this long quiff over a sharp fade shows why. The style balances a professional look with a rebellious streak.
Inspiration: @stellios_shiachourou
5. Disconnected Fade Haircut
Dense hair benefits from this disconnected cut by Pepe from Andsome, which removes bulk and makes the style feel lighter. A low burst fade sets off a spiky top. Save the photo to show your stylist.
Inspiration: @pepe_hairstylist
6. Edgy Wolf Cut
Joe Profita gave this wolf cut a rebellious edge by leaving a clear difference in length between the top and the faded temples. Texturising product brings out the spiky finish and adds attitude. A blow-dryer helps build height at the crown.
Inspiration: @joeprofita
7. Pompadour with Taper Fade
Pompadours are a classic for good reason. Paired with a low taper fade, this one looks bold and polished. It requires regular styling with a blow-dryer and pomade, but the result is eye-catching. Use a round brush and a pomade with medium shine.
Inspiration: @sadegh_saedpanah_music
8. Modern Mullet with Highlights
Kevin Luchmun combined a burst fade, a fringe and a mullet with a dyed tail. The fringe helps visually shorten a longer face or a high forehead, making it a smart choice for those face shapes.
Inspiration: @kevinluchmun
9. Short Sides and Spiky Long Top
Tyler Nicolas Cochran, stylist and owner of Hair House ATX, created this spiky, textured top over closely faded sides. The contrast keeps the look edgy yet relaxed and lets the top take centre stage. A matte clay keeps the spikes defined.
Inspiration: @tyler_the_hairstylist
10. Mid Drop Fade with Box Braids
Box braids gathered into a ponytail sit above a mid drop fade here. The fade gradually shortens the sides and curves down behind the ear, creating clean contrast that shows off the braided top. Moisturise the scalp between braids regularly.
Inspiration: @riguezblendz_
11. High Bald Fade with Long Hair on Top
A high bald fade, very long top and full beard make this an unapologetically bold look. Shaved sides suit men who like to stand out and want their haircut to show some personality. Trim the beard to match the fade line.
Inspiration: @jubei_ma
12. Bowl feat. Mullet Hairstyle
Bowl cut, mullet and burst fade come together in this inventive style. A micro fringe at the front adds a unique finish and completely changes the character of the cut. Ask for the fringe to be cut very short and straight across.
Inspiration: @coiffeurstory
13. Textured Wavy Top with Shorter Sides
Jhony Veiga cut this textured wavy top with shorter sides for a playful, versatile look. Tousle it for casual days or smooth it down with a little product for more formal occasions. A sea salt spray enhances the natural wave.
Inspiration: @jhonyveiga
14. Razor Sharp Bald Fade Haircut
Razor-sharp skin fades and a disconnected fringe make a strong statement. A high fade like this sharpens the facial features and keeps the sides fuss-free, though it needs regular tidying to stay crisp. Plan on a tidy-up every two weeks.
Inspiration: @stellios_shiachourou
15. Skin Fade with Cornrows
Brittany Miren created these stitch-braid cornrows over a skin fade with a crisp lineup. The braids are low-maintenance day to day, but keep the fade fresh with regular barber visits and moisturise the cornrows regularly.
Inspiration: @mellowstylesbymiren
16. Middle Part Haircut with Low Fade
Curtains with a middle part and a low fade give a retro shape a modern finish. The cut suits most hair types, though it flatters square and oval faces especially well. A light cream helps the parted sections fall evenly.
Inspiration: @9cutbarbershop
17. Classic Pomp Fade Haircut
Height on top, short sides and a longer back blend seamlessly into this classic pomp. Ask your barber to scissor-taper the top down toward the back to create the signature pompadour shape. Set it with a blow-dryer and pomade.
Inspiration: @beastbarberoslo
18. Long Layered Fringe and Tapered Sides
A long layered fringe paired with tapered sides shows off natural texture. Use a texturising spray or mousse at home to recreate the slightly messy finish. Leave the fringe long enough to fall over the brow, and ask for point-cut ends so it separates naturally.
Inspiration: @parrucchierisoho
19. Taper Fade for Afro Hair
Tapered sides enhance the volume and texture of an afro by giving it a defined outline. A disconnected undercut makes the top appear fuller and keeps the overall look neat. A pick and a little leave-in conditioner help shape the top.
Inspiration: @negoreyart
20. Short on Sides Curtain Haircut
A middle part with short sides and softly blended layers at the nape gives this curtain cut a relaxed, classy feel with a slight retro twist. Ask for the nape layers to be blended softly into the sides so the cut grows out evenly between visits.
Inspiration: @kevinpaulmiller
21. Mid-Length Mullet with Short Sides
Florence Chiyoko Oka kept extra length in this mid-length mullet to preserve the natural curl. The longer strands highlight the wavy texture and make the natural copper colour look even more vivid. A curl cream keeps the waves defined.
Inspiration: @florence.hair
22. Classy Quiff with Low Skin Fade
Classic quiffs over a low skin fade work for both casual and formal settings. Paired with a neat beard, this cut looks polished and confident. Blow-dry the front upward and back, then finish with a light paste so the quiff holds its shape without looking stiff.
Inspiration: @alexpaixao.educ
23. Long Hair with Shaved Temple
Chris Boos shows how a fade can work on longer hair: shoulder-length, side-parted strands are paired with a shaved temple and nape undercut. It is a great way to add edge without losing length. Keep the shaved area tidy every few weeks.
Inspiration: @jubei_ma
24. Messy Style for Curly Hair
Curls on top and a low fade create a striking contrast. If your hair is naturally straight, a perm or curling tools can help you achieve a similar effect. A curl cream and diffuser help keep the top defined and soft.
Inspiration: @orikeren.hairdesign
25. Mid Drop Fade with Curly Top
A mid drop fade is blended expertly from short to skin, giving this curly top a clean frame. The combination looks tough yet stylish and keeps the sides tidy. Use a light curl cream to define the top and reduce frizz.
Inspiration: @pepe_hairstylist
26. Disconnected Pompadour with Skin Fade
Beast Barber Shop created this disconnected pompadour with a skin fade and several shaved lines on one side. The lines emphasise the contrast between the classic pomp and the bold fade. Ask your barber to refresh the lines every week or two.
Inspiration: @beastbarberoslo
27. Burst Fade with Undercut Design
Long hair can be pulled back into a man bun to keep length and volume. For a truly bold look, add a shaved temple with a star-shaped design, as in this edgy burst fade. The design will need regular touch-ups.
Inspiration: @angelo_pestana
28. Thick Textured Hair with Short Sides
Thick, wavy hair suits a quiff, a more relaxed alternative to the pompadour. Short sides keep the cut clean and modern while the textured top remains the focus. Blow-dry upward with a vent brush, then add a matte paste for texture and hold.
Inspiration: @nielsensouzabarbearia
29. Man Bun and Taper Fade Style
Short temples and back make this man bun with a taper fade very low-maintenance. Gather the longer top into a neat bun with wax, pomade or gel for a sleek finish. It suits men with thinning crowns who still want length.
Inspiration: @mightymorris
30. Low Skin Fade with Longer Top
A low skin fade with a combed-back top creates a sharp, distinctive look. The cut is versatile enough for work and weekends and shows off a confident style. A medium-shine pomade and a fine comb give the top its neat, combed-back finish.
Inspiration: @hairbyelvisp
Connected or disconnected: what to tell your barber
In a connected cut, the sides blend smoothly into the top. A disconnected cut leaves a visible jump in length between the two, which looks bolder and makes the top appear thicker. Mention which you want, then specify:
- the fade type (taper, low, mid, high, drop or burst) and whether it goes to the skin;
- how much length to leave on top, measured in inches rather than clipper guards;
- whether the back should be short, blended or left long for a mullet;
- any extras such as shaved lines, a temple design or a hard part.
Styling the long top day to day
Towel-dry, then apply product suited to the look: mousse or sea salt spray for textured and wavy tops, a medium-hold pomade for pompadours and slick backs, and curl cream for curly or coily hair. Blow-dry pompadours and quiffs upward with a round brush before setting them. Braids and cornrows need a light oil or leave-in on the scalp and sides to keep the faded skin and the plaits moisturised.