Are undercuts still popular? Yes, but the popular version has changed. Men in Midtown and Murray Hill still ask for short sides and a longer top. They just want it blended, textured and easy to keep up.
From what our barbers see in the chair, the undercut has settled into the everyday menu next to the taper and the scissor cut. It is no longer a statement, which is exactly why it lasts.
Why the undercut has lasted
Short sides and long hair on top solve a real problem. They keep the head tidy, cut down on bulk in warm weather and leave room to style. Those reasons did not go away when the fashion cooled.
It also helps that the idea stretches. The same sides can sit under a slick back, a quiff or a messy top. That range is why it stays on the menu while stricter looks come and go.
Another reason is ease. A man can sit in the chair on a lunch break, leave with sides that stay tidy for weeks and style the top in a minute. In a city where time is short, low effort grooming wins, and that favors any cut with clean sides. The sides are a fade haircut at heart, so every barber already knows how to cut them.
Which undercut versions are most popular now?
Blended undercut
The soft, connected version is the one most men leave with. Our blended undercut guide explains how it is cut and styled.
Undercut with a taper
A taper at the ears and neck with a longer top is closer to a classic cut than an edgy one, and it is the safest option for an office.
Disconnected undercut
Still around, mostly for men who want contrast. The tradeoffs are covered in disconnected undercut versus a regular undercut.
Textured top, hard sides
Some younger clients keep a very short, skin faded side with a messy, textured top. It needs more upkeep, but the look is still current in creative workplaces.
Undercut with a quiff
Lift on top and tight sides. It borrows from our textured quiff haircut and stays professional.
Who is asking for undercuts in Manhattan?
Mostly office workers in their twenties and thirties, plus some men in their forties who want a refresh without going fully short. Students and creatives lean toward the harder lines. People who commute through Grand Central prefer styles that survive a crowded train.
Men over 50 ask for it less, and often prefer a taper with a side part. That is not a rule, only what we notice at the chair.
If you cannot decide between short sides and an even cut, undercut versus no undercut lays out the choice.
How the popular undercut is built
| Part | Typical setting |
|---|---|
| Sides | Guard 2 or 3, faded up |
| Neckline | Taper, squared or natural |
| Top | 3 to 4 inches, textured |
| Finish | Matte clay or paste |
| Touch up | Every 3 to 4 weeks |
Notice how little is extreme. Most popular undercuts sit in the middle, which is why they fit so many people.
To keep any of them fresh, add a line up and edge up at $18 between haircuts. It resets the outline and takes only a few minutes.
Which hair types hold it best
Straight and wavy hair keep the shape without help. Curly hair works with extra length on top. Fine hair benefits from texture and a blow dry. Thick hair needs the sides kept short, or the cut turns bulky.
Is the trend fading too?
From the chair, the undercut looks like it is settling rather than collapsing. Some men think it is finished, and some of that is fair. The harsh shapes are fading. We look at that side of the argument in are undercuts out of style.
But when a cut moves from trend to habit, it usually stays. Think of the taper or the crew cut. Nobody calls those fashionable anymore, and they are still everywhere.
The practical test is simple. If a barber can cut it quickly, you can style it in a minute and it looks fine on a video call, it has staying power. The blended undercut passes all three, so expect to keep seeing it for years.
Beards and undercuts together
A short beard goes well with short sides. Match the beard to the taper so the fade runs into the sideburn, and keep the neckline clean. Our post on a beard fade shows how to do it. For a shave that finishes the look, see the hot towel shave.
A fade haircut is $35, and our Classic Combo, fade plus beard, is $48.
How to try one without committing
Ask for a number 3 on the sides, faded up, with the top left long. If you like it, go shorter next time. If not, it grows out in a few weeks. Ask your barber for tips on asking for a clean classic cut if you want a safer baseline.
Bring a photo, mention how you style, and tell us how often you can come back.
What to avoid
Do not go for the shortest guard on day one. Skip heavy shine product, and do not ask for a hard line unless you plan to come back every 2 to 3 weeks. Starting soft is cheaper and easier to adjust.
Get yours at Deja Vu
Deja Vu Barbershop, 101 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue. Call (212) 576-1062 or reach us through the contact page form to book. Walk ins are always welcome, Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm.
If you like the quiff version, start from the textured quiff haircut.
Questions readers ask
Are undercuts still in style for work?
Yes, in the blended form. Keep the top neat and the sides faded, and most offices will not blink.
What age group wears undercuts?
All ages ask for them, though we see the most requests from men in their twenties and thirties.
Is the undercut going to come back strongly?
Cuts tend to cycle. The hard version could return, but the soft version has already become standard.
What is the cheapest way to keep an undercut sharp?
A line up and edge up at $18 between full haircuts keeps the outline clean.