Men's Haircut Trends for 2027: What Is Coming and What Lasts
The men’s haircut trends we expect to carry through 2027 are quieter than the last few years. Softer, lower tapers are replacing very high skin fades. Texture on top is being cut in, so hair moves naturally rather than being forced with heavy product. More men are keeping some length, whether a longer scissor cut, curtains grown into a flow, or a modern mullet worn subtly. Hairlines are being left natural rather than squared off sharply. The common thread is hair that looks good on day ten, not only on day one. These are our observations from the chair and from following the trade, not hard data, but they point in a consistent direction.
Trends matter less than whether a cut suits your hair, face and routine. Every visit to Highgate Cuts starts with an assessment for exactly that reason: the barber looks at your hair and what you need, then recommends what will work.
The broad direction: lower maintenance, more texture
Over the past decade, the dominant look was a high, tight fade with a sharp line-up and a defined shape on top. It looked striking but needed a visit every two weeks to stay crisp. The shift now is towards cuts that grow out gracefully. That suits busy men who want to look sharp without living in the barber’s chair, and it suits hair that is thinning or greying, which often looks better with softer edges.
Seven looks we expect to see more of
1. The low taper
A taper only at the sideburns and neckline, with length kept elsewhere on the sides. It cleans up the edges without the commitment of a full fade. It works in conservative offices and with most hair types. Our guide to the taper haircut explains how to ask for it.
2. The textured crop, grown slightly longer
The textured crop remains popular, but the fringe is creeping longer and the texture is softer, less choppy. Point cutting gives movement without spikes. More on the base cut in our post on the textured crop.
3. Medium length with shape
Men who grew their hair out are keeping it, but with a proper shape: weight removed from the sides, length kept at the back and on top, and the ends cut so they fall rather than stick out. This is scissor work rather than clipper work.
4. Curtains that have grown up
The centre parting has settled from a youthful look into something worn at all ages, longer and looser than before. See our guide to curtains for men if you are considering it.
5. The subtle modern mullet
Not the dramatic version. A little extra length at the nape, with tidy sides, often just enough that the back curls over the collar. It suits wavy and curly hair particularly well.
6. Natural curls and waves
More men with curly or wavy hair are working with it rather than cutting it all off. The cut is shaped to the curl pattern, often dry or partly dry, so the barber can see where each curl sits.
7. The classic short back and sides, done well
Every year has room for the scissor-over-comb short back and sides with a side parting. It never quite leaves, and in a quieter trend cycle it looks as current as anything else.
What we expect to fade
- Very high skin fades with a sharp disconnect on top
- Razor-sharp, squared hairlines pushed forward beyond the natural line
- Heavy, wet-look product holding hair rigidly in place
- Elaborate shaved designs as an everyday look
None of these will disappear, and on the right person they still look excellent. They are simply less likely to be what most men ask for.
Why products are getting lighter too
Cuts with built-in texture need less product. The shift is from heavy pomades and gels towards a small amount of clay, paste or sea salt spray, worked in with the fingers on towel-dried hair. If your cut is right, a pea-sized amount should be enough. When a style needs a lot of product to work, that is often a sign the cut itself needs adjusting, which is worth raising at your next visit.
Trends we will not be offering
Some style coverage for 2027 includes perms for texture, bleached crops and fashion colours. We mention them because you will see them, but Highgate Cuts does not offer colour or perms. If you want one of those looks, a salon that specialises in chemical services is the right place. We can still cut the shape that suits them.
How to choose a trend that will actually suit you
| If your hair is | Consider | Be careful with |
|---|---|---|
| Fine or thinning | Textured crop, shorter low taper | Long, heavy styles that reveal the scalp |
| Thick and straight | Medium length with shape, short back and sides | Curtains without weight removed |
| Wavy | Curtains, subtle mullet, medium length | Very short tops that fight the wave |
| Curly or coily | Natural curls with a low taper | Cuts that need straightening to work |
| Greying | Classic scissor cuts, soft tapers | High-contrast fades that show patchiness |
How to ask for a trend without getting a surprise
- Bring two or three photos, ideally of people with hair like yours, from the front and side.
- Say what you like about each photo. “The length on top” is more useful than “this one”.
- Be honest about styling time. If you will spend thirty seconds with product in the morning, say so.
- Ask how it grows out. How it looks in three or four weeks matters more than at the end of the appointment.
- Listen at the assessment. If the barber suggests an adjustment for your hair type or hairline, there is usually a good reason.
Everything we offer is on the Highgate Cuts barber page, from scissor cuts to skin fades and beard work.
Questions we get asked
What is the most popular men’s haircut going into 2027?
We have no reliable data to name one, and we would be wary of anyone who claims to. From the chair, low tapers and textured crops are among the most requested styles.
Are fades going out of style?
No. They are getting lower and softer for many men, but fades remain a staple.
How often will I need a trim with these styles?
Softer styles usually stretch to four to six weeks. Shorter tapers and fades look best with a visit every two to four weeks.
How much does a haircut cost?
Barber prices are not published yet. See the barber menu or email us. To book with our barbers in Highgate, use the details below.
Book with The Highgate House
Ready for a proper cut? Email us at [email protected] with the service and the day that suits you, and we will come back to you with times.
Visit The Highgate House · The barbers
The Highgate House, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6.
