Gentlemen’s Haircut

A gentlemen's haircut is $35 and takes about twenty five to thirty five minutes. It is a scissor cut, start to finish. No clippers to the skin, and the sides never go shorter than a one and a half guard length. What you get is a soft, natural taper and a polished, traditional finish, the kind of haircut that looked right thirty years ago and still does. This page explains how the cut works and how to ask for it.

What actually happens in the chair

• 01

  The consultation

  A minute or two. We ask how you wear it now, how short you want the sides, and how much length to take off the top. This is where we agree that the cut stays classic, with a natural taper and no hard line.

• 02

  Wash or spray down

  Some cuts start at the sink, some start with a spray bottle. Wet hair sits where it wants to sit, so we can read it clearly before the shears go in.

• 03

  The sides, shears and comb

  Scissor over comb, the traditional method. The comb sets the length and the shears follow it down the side. This is what keeps the sides even without a guard, and never shorter than a one and a half.

• 04

  The top

  Shears, section by section, each length checked against the one next to it. The top is left with enough weight to comb and to hold a classic shape.

• 05

  The taper

  The move from shorter at the bottom to longer up top is done by hand, softly, so the change reads as gradual instead of stepped. This is the part that takes patience, and it is what you are paying for.

• 06

  The finish

  Neckline, around the ears, and the front. A little product if you want to see how it will sit for the week.

How to ask for a gentlemen's haircut without guessing

Say three things and any barber knows exactly what you want.

1. The length on the sides. A number, no shorter than a one and a half. If you are not sure, say you want a natural taper and we will keep it classic.
2. How much off the top. A trim to keep the shape, or a real cut down. Say it in inches or bring a picture of a man whose hair matches yours.
3. The finish. Traditional and combed, or a little texture on top. Either works within this cut, so tell us which way you lean.

Put it together and you get something like: "Natural taper, keep the sides no shorter than a one and a half, take an inch off the top, comb it classic." We can start the minute you sit down.

Who a gentlemen's haircut is for

The man who wants to look sharp without looking like he chases trends. It suits professionals who want a clean, conservative cut for the office. It suits older gentlemen who have worn a taper their whole lives and see no reason to change. It suits anyone who has tried a skin fade and decided the hard line is not for them.

It is also the right call for thicker or coarser hair that a comb can shape cleanly, and for gray or thinning hair, which almost always looks better with a soft taper than with a sharp fade that draws the eye to the edge. If you want a haircut that ages well and grows out gracefully, this is the one.

How often to come back

Every three to five weeks keeps the shape looking intentional. Because there is no hard fade line to blur as it grows, a gentlemen's haircut holds its look a little longer than a skin fade. If you like it tight, come in at three weeks. If you like a bit more length before the reset, four or five weeks is fine.

FAQ