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Stay Timeless with these 30 Classic Taper Haircuts

The happy medium of a men's haircut world: a tapered style that never gets old

written by The Editors

If you’re looking for a haircut that’s not too boring, not too wild, and never goes out of style, consider the ever-popular classic taper haircut.

The classic taper haircut is a low-maintenance, high-performance style that’s classic and timeless. It’s easy to get, and you can modify it to your style. It’s one of those styles for men that simply can’t go wrong.

It works well with all face shapes and hair types, and it strikes a balance between casual and professional. If you need a tidy haircut for your job or simply want a polished style, the classic taper haircut is for you.

FAQs

What Do I Need for the Classic Taper Haircut?

Since the classic taper haircut is a flexible style, you can tweak it to your liking. Because of that, there are no set requirements for hair length. Shorter hair will give a more professional, classic appearance, while longer hair will give a more contemporary appearance and will almost look like a quiff in some regards.

The length is entirely up to you. Take a look at some styles you like and use them as a reference guide.

How to Get the Classic Taper Haircut?

In many ways, the classic taper haircut is like the disconnected undercut. The hair on the sides and back is tapered quite short, while the hair on top is left long. However, the classic taper haircut is more old-school and formal.

You’ll first want to tell your stylist how long you want your hair to be. While it’s up to your liking, a good starting point is two inches on top.

To get the classic taper haircut, start by tapering the sides and the back. (Make sure you tell your stylist how gradual you want the taper to be.) Your stylist may use shears or a hair clipper to achieve the taper. The clipper setting can be as short as #2 or as long as #5, depending on your preference.

You can also specify where you want the taper to end. If you prefer a long taper that ends at the base of the neck, then the clippers should provide a good result. However, if you like a shorter taper that ends near the bottom of the ears, ask your stylist to end the taper there. They may use a straight razor to eliminate all the hair below the taper’s end. If you like this clean-cut look, make sure to ask for the razor trim as well.

Next, ask your stylist to trim the hair on top of your head to your desired length. This can be anywhere from half an inch to four inches. Your stylist will most likely use scissors for this.

How to Style the Classic Taper Haircut?

The classic taper haircut can be styled in many different ways, so choose a style that suits you. That said, there are a couple of elements that always work well with a classic taper haircut.

You can’t go wrong with a side part. A part used in conjunction with a classic taper haircut is a winning combination, especially if the part is dramatic.

You’ll also want to consider some good-quality hair products to keep your taper at its best. For shorter hair, any regular wax, paste, pomade, or similar product will work. For longer hair, consider a product with a higher hold. Pomade or paste is ideal if you want your hair to have a glossy shine.

Here is a list of 15 Tapered Neckline Haircuts.