To ask for an Ivy League haircut, say this: short tapered sides, a longer top left about two to three inches, combed to the side or slightly forward, with a natural neckline. That is a crew cut that kept its length, and it is the cleanest, most traditional men’s cut there is.
It works on Wall Street and on a campus, takes two minutes to style and grows out without drama. Below are the exact words and numbers to use, who it suits, how to style it and how it differs from a fade or an undercut.
How do you ask for an Ivy League haircut?
Give your barber the sides, the top and the finish in that order. Say tapered sides, a top of about two to three inches with a side part or a soft sweep, and a neckline that is tapered and not blocked.
- Name it: an Ivy League cut, which is a longer crew cut.
- Sides: tapered with a number 2 or 3 at the bottom, blended up with scissors or a longer guard.
- Top: about two to three inches, cut with scissors, long enough to part or comb.
- Front: keep it longer so it can sweep to the side or lie slightly forward.
- Neckline: tapered naturally, not squared off.
A photo helps. If you are not sure whether you want a taper or a fade on the sides, read our guide to taper versus fade first, because the sides are the part most men get wrong. Tell your barber you want the sides blended, not shaved, and the neck clean.
What does an Ivy League haircut look like?
It looks like a neat, short cut with a visible top. The sides are tapered and the top is long enough to comb, so you can wear it parted or brushed forward without any gel.
People mix it up with the crew cut, the Caesar and the French crop. The crew cut is shorter on top and brushed straight up at the front. The Ivy League is longer, with room for a part. The result is somewhere between a classic scissor cut and a clipper cut, and it fits the same wardrobe: oxford shirts, blazers and well fitted knitwear.
For a broader look at traditional cuts that stay in style, our classic men’s haircut post covers the old money styles.
Who does an Ivy League cut suit?
It suits men with straight or wavy hair of medium density and nearly every face shape. Oval and square faces carry it with no changes, while round faces do best with a little height on top.
Face shape
Keep the top slightly higher on a round face and the sides tight. On a long face, keep the top flatter and the sides slightly fuller. If you are not sure which shape yours is, our face shape guide for men shows how to tell.
Hair type
Straight and wavy hair holds a side part. Fine hair benefits from a bit more length. Very curly hair can wear the cut too, but a barber should adjust it so the top does not spring up into a poof.
Work and style
It is a conservative cut, so it works in banks, law firms and schools. If you want a more modern take, ask for a mid taper or a skin fade on the sides while keeping the long top.
How do you style an Ivy League haircut?
Use a light cream or paste on damp hair and comb it into place. This is the easiest cut to style because the length does the work.
- Towel dry your hair until it is damp, not wet.
- Rub a small amount of cream or light paste between your palms.
- Comb the top to the side, or slightly forward, with a fine tooth comb.
- Make a clean part with the comb, or leave it parted naturally.
- Check the sides and finish with a light hold spray if you like.
Skip heavy gel. The cut works because it looks like hair, not product. If it will not stay put, ask your barber to shorten the top slightly or to cut the front with a bit more weight.
How often do you need to get one?
Every three to four weeks keeps the shape. The tapered sides and neckline lose their line first, while the top just gets longer and still looks fine.
If your schedule is tight, a $18 line up and edge up between cuts keeps the neckline clean. Our classic scissor cuts are $35, and a fade haircut is $35 in low, mid, high or skin, so the price of an Ivy League cut is the same whichever route you take. Each includes a hot towel neck finish.
How do you pick a good kids haircut that does not cost a fortune?
For kids, an Ivy League style is simple and easy to grow out, which makes it a sensible, low upkeep choice. Our kids haircut is $35 and parents sit beside the chair.
The best value is the cut that suits your child’s hair and lasts. A taper with a longer top needs a trim every four to five weeks, which is cheaper over a school year than a skin fade that needs repeating every two. Ask for a simple taper, a few extra scissor passes on top and a natural neckline.
If you want to bring dad too, the Father and Son package is $60 for a fade plus a kids cut. See the kids haircuts page for what to expect, and read about our approach to a kid’s first haircut if it is their first visit. We list all packages in barber packages.
What is a men’s undercut, and is it the same thing?
No. An undercut has very short sides, usually clippered with a guard, and a clearly longer top, with a visible line where the lengths meet. An Ivy League cut blends the sides gradually and keeps the top shorter.
The undercut is the harder, higher contrast version, popular for slick backs and pompadours. The Ivy League is the softer, more traditional one. If you want the undercut look with less edge, ask for a taper on the sides instead of a hard line, which is a more current approach. For modern ideas that mix the two, browse trendy hair cuts for men.
If you wear a beard with it, ask for the sideburns to blend into the beard line. Our guide to the beard fade shows how that transition is done.
Book an Ivy League cut at Deja Vu in Murray Hill
Deja Vu Barbershop is at 101 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue in Murray Hill. We are open Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm, closed Saturday. Walk ins are always welcome, and you can book online through the contact and booking details. Call (212) 576-1062 with any question.
Tell your barber the words from this guide and read taper versus fade if you want the sides blended just right. Every cut is $35 with a hot towel neck finish, from a New York State licensed barber.
Questions readers ask
Is a $5 tip good for a $40 haircut?
A $5 tip is 12.5 percent, which is a fair thank you but a bit under the usual 15 to 20 percent in New York. Add a dollar or two more for a great cut.
What does the 3:2:1 haircut rule mean?
It is not a standard barber term. Some people use it as a rule of thumb for stepping clipper guards from 3 to 2 to 1 when blending. Ask your barber for the exact guard numbers instead.
What is the difference between an Ivy League cut and a crew cut?
A crew cut is shorter on top and stands up at the front. An Ivy League cut leaves the top long enough to part or comb to the side.
Do I need product for an Ivy League cut?
A small amount of cream or light paste is enough. The cut relies on length and shape, so heavy product is not needed.
Can a kid get an Ivy League haircut?
Yes. It is a common, tidy choice for school. Ask for a taper on the sides and a natural top with some length.