1950s Men’s Hairstyles: The Ultimate Guide to the 15 Best Cuts

1950s men’s hairstyles split into two camps: short, clean-cut haircuts like the crew cut, flat top, Ivy League and side part, and longer, greased-back rebel styles like the pompadour, ducktail and jelly roll. Almost every one of them was built on the same base — short back and sides, more length on top, and a lot of hair cream.

That split still matters when you sit in a barber’s chair today. Ask for “a 50s haircut” and you could walk out with anything from Neil Armstrong’s butch cut to Elvis’s 5-inch pompadour.

This guide covers 15 real 1950s men’s hairstyles, who wore them, the exact length you need, what to tell your barber, and how to style each one with modern products.

Quick answer — the most popular 1950s men’s hairstyles were:

1. Side part (the “regular” haircut)
2. Crew cut
3. Flat top
4. Ivy League (Princeton)
5. Pompadour
6. Ducktail (D.A.)
7. Slicked-back hair
8. Quiff

What defined 1950s men’s hairstyles

Three things shaped 1950s men’s hairstyles: cheap hair cream, the TV, and rock and roll. Together they turned a man’s haircut from a quiet routine into a statement.

• Hair cream ruled. Brylcreem, Vitalis and Wildroot sat on every bathroom shelf. Brylcreem’s “a little dab’ll do ya” TV jingle became one of the most remembered ad lines of the era, and the whole look earned the nickname “greasy kid stuff.”
• Hats were fading. As men stopped wearing a hat every day, the hair itself became the visible part of the outfit — so it got more shape and more height.
• Barbers became stylists. By the 1950s, trend-setting barbers offered dye, perms and even toupees, not just a trim.
• Music and film set the trend. Elvis Presley, James Dean, Little Richard and Tony Curtis made tall, shiny fronts a symbol of youth, while Hollywood leading men kept the neat side part alive.

Clean-cut vs greaser: the two 50s camps

Most 1950s men’s hairstyles were short, tidy cuts. The long, greased styles you see in films were worn by a minority — teenagers, performers and working-class rebels.

Camp	Typical styles	Who wore them	Finish
Clean-cut	Side part, crew cut, flat top, Ivy League, butch cut	Businessmen, students, servicemen, fathers	Neat, light shine, nothing out of place
Greaser / rock and roll (US)	Pompadour, ducktail, slick back, elephant trunk	Teens, musicians, mechanics, actors	High shine, heavy pomade, height in front
Teddy Boys (UK)	Quiff, jelly roll, D.A. at the back	Working-class British youth, mid-50s London	Moulded, combed, very groomed
Black American styles	Conk, short afro, part line, waves	Musicians, performers, everyday men	Pressed shine (conk) or natural, oiled

The Teddy Boys took their name from Edwardian-style suits; a 1953 newspaper shortened “Edwardian” to “Teddy,” and the quiff became their trademark. The London Museum’s history of the Teddy boys covers how the look spread across post-war London.

15 classic 1950s men’s hairstyles (with barber instructions)

Each of the 1950s men’s hairstyles below lists the length you need, what to tell your barber, and how to style it at home. Lengths are approximate; your barber will adjust for density and growth pattern.

1. Side part (the “regular” haircut)

The side part was the default 1950s men’s haircut — short back and sides, a clean part, and a slight wave on top. Parents and schools preferred it, and Hollywood stars like Cary Grant and Johnny Carson wore polished versions. If you want the modern take, our gentleman haircut guide shows nine variations.

• Length: 2–3 in on top, tapered sides.
• Ask your barber: “A classic tapered side part, scissor-cut on top, part on my natural side, no hard line.”
• Style it: Comb in a water-based pomade on damp hair, set the part, sweep the top across and slightly back.

2. Crew cut

The 1950s crew cut kept the top short and tapered the sides shorter. It was slightly longer than the WWII GI cut and was worn by students, athletes and actors like Tab Hunter.

• Length: 0.5–1 in on top, #1–#2 guard on the sides.
• Ask your barber: “A crew cut, a bit longer at the front, taper the sides, keep it natural, not a skin fade.”
• Style it: A pea-sized amount of matte paste, pushed up at the front.

3. Ivy League (Princeton)

The Ivy League is a crew cut with enough length at the front to part and comb to the side. It was the college and young-executive cut of the decade.

• Length: 1.5–2.5 in at the front, graduating shorter to the crown; #2–#3 sides.
• Ask your barber: “An Ivy League cut — long enough at the front to side-part, shorter toward the crown.”
• Style it: 1950s men used butch wax; today use a light cream or matte pomade and a side part.

4. Flat top (and flat top boogie)

The flat top cut the top into a level, square platform and was among the most popular cuts of the decade. Actor Aldo Ray wore a classic version. The “boogie” variation combed longer side hair back along the head (called “fenders”).

• Length: 1–1.5 in on top, very short sides.
• Ask your barber: “A flat top, cut level over a comb, short tapered sides.” Choose a barber who has done one — it is a skilled clipper-over-comb cut.
• Style it: Blow-dry upward, then a firm wax or stick to keep the edges square.

5. Butch cut

The butch cut is the same short length all over, with no taper — today it is called a buzz cut. It needed almost no styling, so it suited athletes and servicemen; a young Neil Armstrong wore one in 1956.

• Length: #3–#4 guard all over.
• Ask your barber: “A butch cut — one even guard all over, clean up the neckline.”
• Style it: Nothing. That was the point.

6. Pompadour

The pompadour is the defining greaser and rock and roll style: a tall front swept up and back, short sides, high shine. Elvis Presley, James Dean and Little Richard made it iconic.

• Length: at least 4 in on top at the front; short sides, slightly longer than a fade if you want it authentic.
• Ask your barber: “A classic pompadour — length on top graduating from front to crown, scissor-tapered sides, no skin fade.”
• Style it: See the step-by-step pompadour section below.

7. Quiff

The quiff lifts only the front section, while the rest of the top lies flatter. It was the signature of Britain’s Teddy Boys and a more office-friendly cousin of the pompadour. For a full breakdown of modern variations, see our quiff hairstyle for men guide.

• Length: 3–4 in at the front, 1.5–2 in toward the crown.
• Ask your barber: “A classic quiff — longest at the fringe, shorter toward the crown, tapered sides.”
• Style it: Blow-dry the front up and back, then pomade for shine or clay for a matte modern finish.

8. Ducktail (D.A.)

The ducktail is defined by the back: side hair combed back and meeting in a central line down the back of the head, like a duck’s tail. Philadelphia barber Joe Cirello said he invented the ducktail in 1940; it became a teen rebel trademark in the 1950s.

• Length: 3+ in on the sides and back, so the hair can be swept around.
• Ask your barber: “Leave length on the sides and back for a ducktail; don’t taper the nape short.”
• Style it: Heavy pomade, comb the sides back, then draw a vertical line from crown to nape with the comb’s tail.

9. Slicked-back hair

The slick back combs everything straight back with no part and a wet-look shine. It was the everyday greaser look and needed little more than a comb and a jar of cream.

• Length: 3–5 in on top, short or medium sides.
• Ask your barber: “Even length on top for a slick back, sides tapered but long enough to comb back.”
• Style it: Oil-based or high-shine water-based pomade, comb straight back, finish with a fine-tooth comb.

10. Jelly roll

The jelly roll combs longer side hair up and inward to form a rolling crest on top. Teddy Boys favoured it, and Bobby Rydell wore one in 1959. Unlike a pompadour, the roll pushes down or out over the forehead rather than straight up.

• Length: 4–6 in on top and long sides.
• Ask your barber: “Keep length on the sides and top; I’m rolling it, so remove weight but not length.”
• Style it: Comb each side up toward the centre, meet the sections at the top, and roll the front forward with pomade.

11. Elephant trunk

The elephant trunk is an accent, not a full cut: a loose section of a pompadour or jelly roll is teased down over the forehead. Tony Curtis wore a small one.

• Length: a pompadour or jelly roll with 5+ in at the front.
• Ask your barber: Same as a pompadour, with extra length in the fringe.
• Style it: Build the pompadour, then pull a finger-width section forward and let it hang in a curve.

12. Breaker (the “Hollywood cut”)

The breaker uses longer top hair styled into sleek, defined waves. It was popular on the West Coast, which is why it was also called the Hollywood cut; actor Guy Madison is a good reference.

• Length: 3–4 in on top.
• Ask your barber: “A medium-length top for a wavy side-swept style, tapered sides.”
• Style it: On damp hair, apply cream, comb the hair into an S-wave with your fingers, and let it set before touching.

13. Caesar cut

The Caesar is short all over with a straight, short fringe combed forward. Marlon Brando wore it in Julius Caesar (1953). It works best on thick, straight hair.

• Length: 1–1.5 in on top, short sides.
• Ask your barber: “A Caesar cut — short layers combed forward, straight fringe across the forehead.”
• Style it: A little matte paste, push the hair forward.

14. Conk

The conk was a chemically straightened style worn by many Black American men, then set into a part or pompadour. Nat King Cole wore a neat conk, and Chuck Berry and Little Richard wore tall ones. Original conks used lye, which burned the scalp — today, recreate the shape without the chemicals.

• Modern version: Ask for a short natural cut with a hard part line, or a silk press for a one-off event by a licensed stylist.
• Style it: Brush with a light oil or pomade for shine.

15. Short natural afro

The short, neat afro grew in popularity through the decade as men moved away from painful chemical straightening. Miles Davis wore one in the late 1950s; some men also shaved in a side-part line.

• Length: 0.5–1.5 in on top, shorter on the sides.
• Ask your barber: “A short natural shape, a bit fuller on top, tapered sides, and a part line on my left/right.”
• Style it: Moisturise, brush in one direction, finish with a light hair oil.

Pompadour vs quiff vs jelly roll: the difference

The short answer: a pompadour lifts the whole top up and back, a quiff lifts only the front, and a jelly roll rolls the hair forward and down over the forehead. All three are often mislabelled in photo lists of 1950s men’s hairstyles.

Style	Where the volume sits	Direction	Min. top length	Effort
Pompadour	Whole top, front to crown	Up and back	4 in	High
Quiff	Front section only	Up, slightly back	3 in	Medium
Jelly roll	Crest from both sides	Forward and down	4–6 in	Very high
Elephant trunk	One loose strand on a pomp/roll	Down over forehead	5 in	Very high
Ducktail	Back of the head	Sides swept back to a centre line	3 in sides	Medium

Best 1950s men’s hairstyles for your face shape and hair type

When choosing between 1950s men’s hairstyles, pick the style for your hair first, then fine-tune for face shape. A pompadour on fine, straight hair collapses by noon; a flat top on very curly hair won’t sit level without heavy product.

Face shape	Best 1950s styles	Go easy on
Oval	Almost anything: pompadour, side part, quiff	Nothing in particular
Round	Pompadour, quiff, flat top (height lengthens the face)	Caesar, butch cut (add width)
Square	Side part, breaker waves, Ivy League	Very boxy flat top
Oblong / long	Side part, Ivy League, Caesar	Tall pompadour, elephant trunk
Heart / triangle	Side part, slick back with some fullness at sides	Extreme height with tight sides

Hair type	Works well	Struggles
Thick, straight	Flat top, pompadour, Caesar, jelly roll	Ivy League can puff out without thinning
Fine or thinning	Side part, crew cut, butch cut, short Ivy League	Tall pompadour, jelly roll
Wavy	Breaker, side part, quiff, ducktail	Flat top
Curly	Short pompadour, quiff with texture, crew cut	Slick back with oil pomade (fights the curl)
Coily / afro-textured	Short natural with part line, sculpted pompadour shape, flat top	Chemical straightening (skip it)
Grey or receding	Side part, crew cut, Ivy League, short slick back	Tall front that exposes the temples

Products behind 1950s men’s hairstyles vs modern equivalents

Most 1950s men’s hairstyles relied on oil-based creams and waxes that held all day but needed several washes to remove. Modern water-based products give the same shine and hold and rinse out in one shampoo.

1950s product	What it did	Modern equivalent	Best for
Brylcreem (hair cream)	Light hold, soft shine, tamed frizz	Brylcreem itself (still sold) or a styling cream	Side part, breaker, Ivy League
Oil-based pomade (petrolatum + wax)	Strong hold, wet shine, re-combable all day	Oil-based pomade, or high-hold water-based pomade	Pompadour, ducktail, jelly roll, slick back
Butch wax (stick)	Made short hair stand up	Firm wax stick or fibre paste	Flat top, crew cut, Ivy League front
Vitalis / Wildroot (hair tonic)	Light grooming, no grease	Grooming tonic or sea-salt spray as pre-styler	Everyday side part
Hair oil	Shine and softness for textured hair	Light hair oil or curl cream	Short afro, conk-style shape
— (didn’t exist)	Matte volume	Clay or matte paste	Modern quiff, textured pompadour

Pick by finish: shine = pomade or cream, matte = clay or paste, height = blow-dry first, then any of them.

How to style a 50s pompadour step by step

You need 4+ inches on top, a blow-dryer, a fine-tooth comb, and a pomade. The whole routine takes 5–10 minutes once you have practised it twice.

1. Start with towel-dried hair. Damp, not dripping — product spreads evenly and the hair is easier to shape.
2. Add a pre-styler (optional). A few sprays of sea-salt or volume spray at the roots gives the height a base on fine hair.
3. Blow-dry up and back. Use a round or vent brush, lift the front up first, then direct everything back. This step creates 80% of the height.
4. Warm the pomade. Rub a fingertip-sized amount between your palms until it melts; cold pomade drags and clumps.
5. Work from back to front. Apply to the sides and crown first, the front last, so you don’t weigh the front down.
6. Comb the shape. Comb the sides back flat, then comb the front up and back. Push the front slightly forward with your palm to create the curl.
7. Refine and set. Clean lines with the fine-tooth comb; add a tiny extra dab for shine. A light hairspray keeps it in place for long nights.

For a ducktail: after step 6, comb both sides around to the back and draw a vertical line from crown to nape with the comb’s tail.

Get the 50s look tonight without a haircut

For a theme party or costume, you can fake most 1950s men’s hairstyles with what you already have, as long as there is about 2 inches on top.

• Short hair (under 2 in): Side part with cream and a sharp comb line — instant Cary Grant.
• Medium hair (2–4 in): Slick everything back with high-shine pomade for a greaser look.
• Longer hair (4+ in): Blow-dry the front up into a pompadour and comb the sides back tight.
• Finish the outfit: white T-shirt or bowling shirt, rolled jeans, leather jacket or a narrow tie.

Maintenance and common mistakes

Most 1950s men’s hairstyles look best with a trim every 2–4 weeks; the sharp outlines are the style.

Style	Trim every
Butch, crew, flat top	2–3 weeks
Side part, Ivy League, Caesar	3–4 weeks
Pompadour, quiff, ducktail, slick back	3–5 weeks (sides only; leave the top)

Common mistakes

• Asking for “a 50s haircut.” Name the style and show a photo from the front and side.
• Skin-fading the sides of a pompadour. It looks modern, not 50s. For authentic, ask for a scissor taper.
• Too much product on dry hair. Start with a fingertip amount on damp hair, add more only if needed.
• Not washing out oil pomade. Use a degreasing shampoo, or massage conditioner into dry hair first, then shampoo — oil binds to oil.
• Choosing height for the wrong face. A long face plus a tall pompadour looks even longer.

FAQs

Conclusion

1950s men’s hairstyles come down to one formula: short sides, a shaped top, and the right product. Choose a clean-cut style like the side part or Ivy League if you want something office-friendly, or a pompadour, quiff or ducktail if you want real rock and roll attitude.

Pick by your hair type first, show your barber a front and side photo, and give a new style two weeks of practice before you judge it.

Next step: Want the most wearable 50s style for today? Read our quiff hairstyle for men guide, then see how far men’s hair travelled in four decades with our 90s men’s hairstyles guide.