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30+ Ivy League Haircut Suggestions + Styling Tips & Gallery

While you may not be able to afford Harvard’s tuition, you can easily get the Harvard style

written by Justin Bounds

The high-class ivy league haircut is a stylish variation of the classic crew cut. Also known as a Harvard clip or Princeton, the cut balances the smartness of a crew cut with the slickness of a side part. It’s an ideal style for men aiming for a classy, sophisticated appearance.

The ivy league haircut is cut in the same way as a crew cut. However, unlike a crew cut, the Princeton haircut leaves enough hair on the top of the head to be parted. It gives the face a defined appearance, making it best for men with strong cheekbones or a prominent jawline.

The Ivy League haircut is versatile and can be styled in various ways. It’s a fantastic, low-maintenance cut that goes well with any outfit. It’s also ideal if you have a stubborn cowlick since this cut will keep your hair short and tidy.

FAQs

What Hair Length Do I Need?

Since this is a short style, you won’t need much. The Ivy League haircut requires an inch of hair on the top of the head and a little more than an inch in the front. We recommend that your hair is at least 1.5 inches long for the Ivy League haircut.

How to Get the Ivy League Haircut?

First, check with your barber or stylist to see if they’re familiar with the cut. It’s a fairly common style, but not all stylists may know it. In that case, we recommend showing your stylist pictures and describing the characteristics below.

Whereas a crew cut requires the hair to be buzzed with clippers, the Ivy League can be cut using scissors on the top of the head. This gives it the extra length that differentiates it from the crew cut.

Tell your stylist you want half an inch to an inch (depending on your preference) on top of your head and a little longer in the front. The longer hair in the front will facilitate the brushing back of the hair, which is one of the notable characteristics of the Ivy League haircut. You can also style it with a part if you wish.

One important facet of the Ivy League haircut is its taper. Unlike other styles that only taper the sides and back, the Ivy League tapers the sides, back, and top. A gradual taper is key to getting the classy look that an Ivy League haircut can provide. When you visit your stylist, make sure to inform them of the taper if they’re unfamiliar with the style.

For the sides and back, you can choose a length that suits your style. We recommend requesting a shorter clipper setting (#2 to #4). The sides and back are cut shorter than the top or front, but they’re also tapered. Let your stylist know how gradual of a taper you’d like.

The taper on your neckline is blocked, meaning that it ends in a straight line across the neck. However, you can go with a different type of tapered neckline.

Make sure the entire haircut is one seamless style. There should be no jagged edges or sharp changes. Each part of the haircut should blend into the other. The only exception is the crown, where the taper on the top of the head ends.

How to Style Ivy League?

Because the Ivy League is low maintenance by design, you don’t need to do much to style it. You won’t need much product, either. Like a crew cut, the Ivy League is known for its simplicity and ease. However, if you do want to use a product for styling, a casual styling wax will do the trick.

Traditionally, its side parted. Style the hair with your fingers or a comb to achieve your desired look. You can also brush it back and use some wax to hold the hair in place. You can also combine brushing the hair back with a side part.

Justin Bounds has been working as a barber in Florida for years and is the founder of The Barbr - a Men's Hair Care/Grooming blog dedicated to providing honest advice and useful tips about the topic. You can learn more about him through his Twitter' and his blog.