The most iconic and stylish 1920s men's hairstyles were classy, neat and masculine looks such as the side part, middle part, slick back and buzz cut. During the Roaring Twenties, most guys preferred keeping their hair longer on top and complementing the style with a slightly shorter cut on the sides, creating a versatile and timeless aesthetic. These vintage hairstyles for men in the 1920s exemplified the refined, old-school gentleman who wanted to exude confidence and sophistication.

A classic side or center part would be a common look for the successful upper classes, achieved using an oil-based styling product. The slick back was a handsome and functional hairstyle for traditional gents wearing hats since the hair could be easily fixed and would lie flat under the headwear. Men with wavy or curly hair would show off their texture but use Brilliantine to maximize control and smooth out any waves.

The 1920s was a transformative era marked by glamorous trends, fresh fashion and remarkable wealth illustrated by sartorial elegance.

In this guide, we'll examine some of the most famous men's hairstyles of the 20s.

Popular Men's Hairstyles in the 1920s

Classic Side Part

The most iconic men's hairstyle in the 1920s was the classic side part. This slick style involved parting the hair to one side of the head and featured a well-defined line. The sleek aesthetic allowed guys to keep their hair neat while emphasizing their strong facial structure. While modern men might use gel to achieve a slicked-back appearance, guys used an oil-based product called Brilliantine. It kept hair neatly weighted down and offered a rich, glossy, refined finish.

Middle Part

Dapper and elegant, a middle part was often worn by younger men who wanted a more casual look. The hair was cut short along the back and sides, and the top was left longer for a clean-cut, natural-looking appearance. The hair was secured in place using an oil-based pomade, resulting in a symmetrical style with a youthful vibe.

Smooth Slick Back

The smooth slick back was a casually elegant style that allowed men to wear hats without disturbing their hair. The polished appearance offered an air of professionalism, making it the perfect cut for Wall Street bankers with busy lifestyles. This hairstyle also suited straight, wavy and curly hair, letting everyone achieve a sleek look regardless of class. The hair was dampened with a grooming tonic and doused with hair oil to add shine and hold. Guys would then comb the hair straight back and lie it flat against the scalp for a look that matched the refined, silent film-star vibe.

Buzz Cut

The buzz cut was a short and daring choice that was easier to maintain than the more elaborate styles of the period. The rising popularity of sports like boxing and swimming started a preference for athletic styles. These cuts offered a streamlined style for manual laborers during the postwar years. This short, sharp style paved the way for the popular military cuts of the World War II era and remained extremely popular throughout the Jazz Age. The intense cut was achieved with electric shavers and light tapering was added around the temple for a defined appearance.

Vintage Comb Over

The vintage comb over gave the hair a slightly relaxed look, pairing a longer top with short, scissor-cut back and sides. Many movie stars parted their hair to the side and combed the hair over the front of the forehead to create dimension. Many men chose a softer, natural-looking part, while others chose a sharp, well-defined part for more structure. The hair was usually secured in place with an oil or pomade product for a sleek appearance with minimal movement.

Angular Slick Back with Hard Part

The angular slick back with a hard part created a distinct, sharp separation between the top and sides. An extreme side part let guys sweep the hair over at an angle toward the back, creating an eye-catching style with clean lines. The sides were often closely trimmed to pull focus to the longer top, with barbers using straight razors to create sharp lines and contours at the scalp.

Wavy Hard Side Part

A wavy hard side part went against the typical straight and streamlined look, offering youthful texture with breathtaking shine. The hair was cut to a relatively uniform length across the back and sides, with the top left slightly longer and pulled into a side part. Guys would lay the hair down carefully with a comb and use glossy oil to smooth back flyaways and lock curly strands in place beneath a hat.

Gangster Haircut

The gangster haircut was the first appearance of a classic undercut and was popular among guys involved in organized crime and subculture. Like Tommy Shelby's iconic Peaky Blinders cut, the style was characterized by a faded back and sides with hair longer on top. The extreme lines and heavy contrast created a distinctive, rebellious look that went against the typical slicked-back style of the time. Sported by iconic gangsters like Al Capone, the style quickly gained traction in an era of diverse self-expression.

Flat Center Part Style

This old-school center part hairstyle with a flat finish was a business casual look for younger men. This example features fashion icon, F. Scott Fitzgerald, wearing a tailored tweed suit and tie, demonstrating his legacy beyond literature.

Modern 1920s-Inspired Haircuts For Men

Fresh Slick Back with Short Sides

A modern slick back with short sides is a polished, sophisticated style with contrast and vintage vibes. The hair on top is left long to keep it low-maintenance and is slicked straight back with a gel or pomade. Use a comb for a sleek, flatter look or use your fingers for a more relaxed style with an edgy aesthetic.

Classy Side Part

A classy side part exudes timeless elegance and offers a clean-cut look that works seamlessly in professional settings. You can wear this style with any hair length or texture, but it works best on short to medium-length hair for an old-school feel. Use heat at the roots for a volume boost and effortless structure at the front of the head.

Contemporary Middle Part

Sleek and sexy, a contemporary middle part is a refined style that harks back to the sophisticated, slicked looks of the 1920s. Split the hair directly down the center of the head and lightly comb the hair toward the back on both sides with a strong pomade or gel. Keep the sides closely cropped to create breathtaking contrast against the longer top.

Brush Back with Shaved Sides and Mustache

A brush back with shaved sides and a mustache is an excellent option for guys who want to achieve a classic aesthetic. The brush back creates unbeatable lift at the roots, while the curled handlebar mustache balances the high-volume top. Use a blow dryer and round brush to create texture and height before securing your style with a matte pomade.

Short Side Part with Taper Fade

A short side part looks neat and dapper with a stylish taper fade, offering a stylish 1920s-inspired look with a modern edge. The short, tapered sides give the cut structure and clean lines that blend beautifully into trimmed stubble. Brush the hair back to create some lift at the front of the head.

Loose Comb Over with Undercut

Relaxed and trendy, a loose comb over with an undercut pays home to the traditional side part. The modern undercut style blends vintage and contemporary aesthetics, letting you evoke the Roaring Twenties. The shorter back and sides create daring contrast against the longer top, adding instant visual interest for guys who want to stand out.

Textured Brush Back with Mid Drop Fade

A textured brush back looks fresh with a mid drop fade for a fashionable approach with texture. Brushing back the top creates lift and movement through the length, while the drop fade removes bulk and adds dimension to the look. Pair the style with a sharp, disconnected beard for a refreshing take on the traditional slick back.

Fluffy Center Parted Style with Skin Fade

A fluffy, center parted style with an edgy skin fade is ideal for guys who want to make a bold statement with their thick locks. Pushing the hair back and tousling it offers natural movement that emulates the debonair feel of yesteryear's oiled styles. A skin fade brings contrast that pulls attention to the volume on top.

How To Style A 1920s Hairstyle For Men

When styling their 1920s hair, men prepped their locks with water and a light shampoo to remove dirt. Many guys would also grab a tonic to soften the hair. They'd then use a hair oil like Brilliantine or a smooth pomade to provide hold, add shine and control their locks throughout the day.

A fine-toothed comb was also an important tool that distributed hair products and created a striking, polished appearance. The elegant aesthetic was achieved by creating a well-defined part and combing any bumps around the head.

Although classic side parts were trendy, guys often experimented with subtle pompadours or finger waves. The defined wavy hair would be secured with clips and then removed to lock the hair in place. Once the hair was styled, you would check for symmetry and neatness before smoothing stray hairs with a fine-toothed comb.

While men often used wigs, hats and comb overs to cover partial baldness in the 1920s. Toupee tape affixed hairpieces to the scalp, while color-matched toupee pins were all the rage among men with decent length left at the crown. Older men who wanted to embrace their thinning hair would comb the hair across the head with Brilliantine.

Men's Facial Hair During the 1920s

Before this time period, most men preferred to be clean-shaven since the prevailing thought was that successful gentlemen maintained no facial hair. During this decade, men's fashion and style underwent significant changes.

Facial hair in the 1920s was common and masculine, with mustaches, short beards and sideburns being the most popular styles. Mustaches were usually pencil-thin and closely trimmed or worn in a handlebar style with long, curved ends. Longer mustaches were styled with wax to maintain an upward curve.

The most attractive beard styles during the 1920s were short and neatly trimmed, highlighting sharp cheekbones. Some beard oil would soften the hair for a more romantic aesthetic.

Men would also groom their sideburns to blend seamlessly with short hair at the temples. They were rarely unkempt and were kept under control with regular trims. Although facial hair was welcome, the rise of the safety razor meant that many were clean-shaven, giving younger guys a smooth, refined look with minimal effort.