The high-and-tight is a military classic, establishing its roots as the perfect hairstyle for anyone who must regularly wear a helmet while adhering to military regulations.
If you're looking for something low-maintenance on a daily basis, High & Tight might be the way to go.
Here's everything you need to know about high, tight haircuts and the styles you can wear with them.
What is a high and tight haircut?
A high and tight haircut involves cropping the hair high on the back and sides. A typical military high and tight will be either a buzz cut or a crew cut, but the top can be changed to pretty much any style you like, as long as the back and sides are taken super high without much blending. It's at the top.
How to ask a barber for a high and tight haircut
To ask your barber for a high, tight haircut, that's all you need to ask for. Request a higher and tighter length in the back and sides. You'll see this in many styles right up to the skin fade, but it doesn't have to be this short if you don't want that. Next, style the top to your liking. Here are some style inspirations for pairing high and tight.
high and tight buzz cut
A high, tight buzz cut is the simplest of all the cuts on our list and requires no styling at all. Get up in the morning and get on with your day. This will be known to many as the jarhead haircut. It's best to shorten the back and sides, often down to a skin fade, and then wear the top at a slightly longer length.
Sources: Pinterest, @justinlea_, @cairan_mcLaughlin, Pinterest
high and tight buzz crew
The most modern haircut on the list is the one between the “buzz crew”. This is the haircut we're loving right now. This is neither a full buzz cut nor a full crew cut. It sits in between, with a textured top. The main difference between this and a crew cut is that the length of the fringe that is pushed up is not as long. As with all the haircuts on our list, have your barber cut the sides high and tight, then wear the top at finger length or less with a heavier texture all over. To style, use products with a matte finish, such as: Legal Gentleman Matt Clay.
Sources: @nickbarford, @nickbarford, Pinterest, Pinterest
high and tight crew cut
The crew cut is what most people think of when they hear the classic high and tight cut. Think Tommy Egan in Power or Macklemore. To wear this, have your barber cut your hair short towards the top of your head, leaving a little more length in the fringe. For your 2019 style, use a little bit of matte products, such as: Legal Gentleman Matt Clay. Or, if you want some shine in your hair, like in the case of a more traditional crew cut, pomade For style.
Sources: Pinterest, @barbersno1, @tuckercuts, Pinterest
high and tight side part
The high, tight side part is truly classic. You'll be leaving a little bit of side length on this piece, so it's not likely to be appreciated as much as many of the other pieces on the list, but you'll notice something different about this side parting. More classic and traditional. Take the sides short between the skin fade and #1, leaving some length at the top, increasing the length of the fringe and shortening it towards the top of the head. Add hard parts for realistic contouring and the ultimate height and toned look. However, keep in mind that if you go with hard parts, you'll need to commit to this style for a while. To style a classic high-and-tight side part, use a medium-to-high gloss pomade like: legal gentleman pomade (coming soon).
Sources: @blackfishbry, @patty_cuts, @blackfishbry, @blackfishbry