65 Classy 1920s Hairstyles for Men to Look Iconic Like in 20s

The hairstyles in the 1920s were quite exquisite.

They represented a special mark of an era that still echoes today.

There are, to these days, a lot of people that want to wear those exquisite, classic types of styles.

However, you can’t just wake up one day and decide to get yourself a 1920s haircut.

Luckily, there is a method to it.

First of all, you have to have a skilled barber to do it.

Next, you have to have the right face shape for the desired style.

Finally, no matter how eager you are to have it, some looks simply don’t work for the modern times we are in.

So, we suggest getting some expert advice before you start hunting for an appropriate 1920s hairstyle for men.

Here you will be able to get everything you need in order to choose an appropriate style and grow it correctly.

What Hairstyles Did Men Have in the 20s

Men had short or medium-length hair and favored slicked-back hairstyles. Hats were in style during the time, so there wasn’t too much innovation or experimentation with hairstyles. The hair was almost always kept flat.

There wasn’t any emphasis on texture or focus on contrast. Most people sported the same hairstyles and looking like a ‘gentleman’ was considered stylish and respectable.

65 Most Popular 1920s Hairstyles for Men

20’s Slicked Back Hair

Slicked-back hair has never gone out of style. Use any product like a hair gel or a premium hair cream for men and slick your hair back.

Start from the front and slick the hair back. It doesn’t work that well for curly hair, so if your hair is curly, consider using hair relaxers to make your hair straighter and more manageable.

20’s Comb-Over Hairstyle

A very sharp side part is created and the hair is brushed to the side almost aggressively. Hair gel or pomade is used for hold.

The hair on the sides is kept short like always. If you have trouble keeping your hair in place, try the world’s best hairspray for men.

Wavy Brush Back

This was for men with naturally wavy hair. The length can be a little longer than usual for this style. The hair is brushed back away from the face and held in place with hairspray or hair gel.

20s Classy Side Part

Professionals favored the classy side part. The hair was parted on one side and slicked down on both sides.

Using hair gel was very common, so the hair was held in place with some hair product to maintain the look through the day.

Hard Side Part 1920’s Hairstyle

A hard-side part is a pretty no-nonsense hairstyle. The hair is cut very short at the neck and the length increases as you move up.

The hair is parted and slicked down with product on either side.

1920’s Bald Fade

A bald fade is pretty standard even nowadays. The hair is trimmed highly close to the scalp and the only noticeable length is in the crown area. It is extremely low maintenance and suits all kinds of hair types.

Disconnected Undercut

A disconnected undercut is an undercut with a shaved part on both sides. The hair in the middle is longer, whereas the hair on the sides is trimmed very close to the scalp.

Hollywood Comb-Over

The hair is parted on the side and instead of being brushed to the side, the hair is brushed back towards the neck.

This gives a little definition and height to the hairstyle, which is very different from the usual sleek hairstyles of the 1920s.

Center Part Men’s 20’s Haircut

This is an iconic hairstyle from the 1920s. The hair was parted down the middle and slicked down on either side.

It did not suit all face shapes and not everyone could pull it off.

Short Pompadour

A short pompadour is precisely what it sounds like. The hair is a lot shorter than usual and the hair on top is styled into a pompadour using hair gel or pomade. Applying your favorite hair gel is enough to hold a pompadour, but you can also consider wax.

Men’s 1920 Fringe Haircut

A fringe used to be popular with men during the 1920s. It was one of the few hairstyles that did not require any product.

Short, wavy hair would hang across the forehead in a fringe.

Forehead Curls

The name says it all – this look involved curls that stayed above the forehead. The hair’s natural texture was not disturbed, and it suited all face shapes.

Long Tapered Sides With Parted Hair

The sides were tapered towards the bottom and the hair was parted on the side. There was a small quiff on top where the hair flipped over to the other side. It needed some product to hold the hair in place.

Slick Top With Thick Sides

Here, the hair on the sides was the same length as on the top. The hair was parted on the side and slicked down or slicked back.

The sides were full and thick, which was unusual because the sides are usually trimmed shorter than the top.

Classic Tapered Sides With Brush Up

The sides are tapered down and the hair on top is a little longer and brushed up in this classic 1920s look. It is pretty common even today.

High Comb-Over Inspired by 1920s Hairstyle

A high comb over is very similar to the comb over of the 1920s. The high part is shaved into the scalp and the hair is combed over, forming a small quiff in the front. You will need hair gel or pomade to maintain the comb-over throughout the day.

Neat Side Part Inspired by 1920s Hairstyle

A neat side part features a very clean and distinct side part. The rest of the hair is slicked over to the side neatly.

All the elements of this hairstyle are clean and low maintenance.

Lateral Comb-Over Inspired by 1920s Hairstyle

A lateral comb over is halfway between combing your hair over to the side and combing your hair over to the back.

The hair is combed over laterally and parted to the side.

Undercut Inspired by 1920s Hairstyle

The undercut is a versatile vintage hairstyle that continues to remain in vogue. The hair on top is kept long, whereas the hair on the sides is trimmed very short. Undercuts can be paired with many other styles to give them a modern twist.

Taper Fade Inspired by 1920s Hairstyle

A taper fade is achieved by creating the fade from the nape of the neck. The hair is trimmed very close to the scalp, but the length of the hair keeps increasing as you move forward.

Side Part With a Crest

A side part with a crest is quite similar to a short pompadour. There is a very prominent side part and the hair in the crown is pretty long.

It can be styled in a small quiff and combed over or slicked back.

Finger Wave Short Hairstyle

This hairstyle involves a very distinct curl or wave in the hair in the front. The sides are very short and kept slicked back. It takes a lot of time to style it and you need to be very skilled to be able to do an excellent job of it.

Quick Styling Tips For Perfect 20’s Hair

Styling wasn’t too difficult during the 1920s. As long as you have the right products for your hair, it is easy as minimal styling is involved.

If you do not like spending too much time styling your hair, look for a hairdryer for quicker hair drying. It will save you a lot of time in the morning.

There are many products involved because most of these hairstyles need to be slicked down or need hair gel or pomade for hold.

You can also choose a hair tonic for a natural look. If your scalp is sensitive, get a hair wax for sensitive skin instead of hair gel or pomade.

FAQ

How did men style their hair in the early 20th century?

Men styled their hair using either hair gel, hair wax or pomade in the early 20th century. Slicked back hairstyles were trendy then and hair was always styled to be sleek and nondescript rather than big and loud. Most people wore hats back then, so hairstyles were kept simple.

Why did men wear short hair in the 1920s?

Long hair just wasn’t common for men in the 1920s. It started getting famous during the 60s and was accompanied by various social and political movements. In the 1920s, men always kept their hair short.

Did men wear beards in the 1920s?

Braids were not very popular during the 1920s. A few men kept their hair in braids, but few and far between.

What is a peaky blinders haircut?

The Peaky Blinders haircut is one where the sides and back are shaved in an undercut and the hair on top is left as is.

Conclusion

Hairstyles in the 1920s were distinctive yet straightforward. Many of them are still in use today as they were practical, low maintenance and easy to achieve.