Last reviewed: 3 November 2026
Men's haircuts in 2027 are heading towards natural texture, softer fades and matte finishes. The cuts expected to lead are the textured crop, the low taper fade with a natural top, modern curtains, the soft mullet, the choppy "warrior" cut, a refined short back and sides, and curly tapers with twists or braids, with grey blending growing quietly in the background. The common thread is a shape that is cut to move on its own rather than held in place with product.
Before the list, an honest note. Nobody has data on what men will ask for next year; trend forecasts are educated guesses. What follows is built from what stylists, editors and barbers were reporting in late 2026, and from what we see every day in the chair on Nassaukade. Where a trend looks like a passing fad rather than something that will last, we say so.
The big shift: from sculpted to natural
For several years the defining men's look was sharp and engineered: high skin fades, hard parts, glossy product. That is softening. A Milan salon describes the 2026–27 direction as "constructed naturalness", where fades are gentler, contours less severe and matte finishes replace shine. UK brands and barbers say the same in their own words: men want cuts that work outside the barber's chair, grow out well and need fewer touch-ups.
Social media is speeding everything up. Speaking to MR PORTER in 2026, former British GQ editor Nick Carvell described how haircuts seen online "trickle down" to what men request in barbershops, and hair historian Rachael Gibson pointed out that men's trends have always been short-lived, only faster now. The practical consequence: choose a cut for your hair and your routine first, and a trend second.
The textured crop
The textured crop stays at the top of the list because it solves the most problems at once. Short tapered sides, a choppy textured top and a forward fringe give a modern shape that needs almost no styling. In 2027 the fringe gets softer and slightly longer, and the finish is matte. It suits straight and wavy hair and most face shapes, and it is likely to last well beyond 2027 because it is practical rather than fashionable.
The low taper fade with a natural top
London barber Moedabarber told MR PORTER in 2026 that the taper fade was his most requested cut, and the low taper is the version moving forward. It cleans up the sideburns and neckline while keeping weight through the sides, so it grows out without a visible line. Pair it with a natural, slightly longer top rather than a sculpted one. If you currently wear a high skin fade, this is the easiest step towards the 2027 look. Booked as a Fade Haircut, from €39.99.
Modern curtains and the middle part
The centre part with a longer fringe falling to either side is back for a second wave, but looser and shorter than its first appearance. It suits straight or wavy hair with some density at the front. The key is a cut that makes the fringe fall apart naturally; curtains that have to be blow-dried into place every morning rarely survive a working week.
The warrior cut
The newest name on the list is the "warrior cut": short, choppy layers, broken-up spikes and an uneven fringe, styled rough with sea salt spray and matte clay. London grooming brand Heist cites Brad Pitt's hair in Fight Club as the reference. It is a bold look that suits thicker hair and men comfortable with a slightly undone finish. We would class it as a genuine 2027 trend with a shorter shelf life than the crop; enjoy it, but expect it to evolve.
The soft mullet
The mullet has not gone away, it has calmed down. The 2027 version keeps the back only slightly longer, with blended sides and texture throughout, often with curls. It works best on wavy and curly hair and on men who want personality without extremes. A curly mullet with defined layers and contained sides is the most wearable variation.
The refined short back and sides
Classic shapes are not disappearing; they are getting more precise. A neat short back and sides with a soft side part or a tidy textured top is expected to remain the default for professional settings in 2027. The update is in the detail: softer blends, a natural rather than wet finish, and a cut tailored to your growth pattern instead of a generic template.
The slick back returns, without the shine
The slicked-back look came back on the Paris catwalks in early 2026, and it is likely to carry into 2027 for evenings and occasions. The modern version is less helmet, more movement: medium length on top, tapered sides, and a light-hold cream or paste rather than heavy pomade. It needs enough length to comb back, so plan a few weeks of growth if you are starting from a short crop.
Curly tapers, twists and braids
Textured and curly hair is getting more attention than ever. Curly tapers that keep the sides clean and let the curl pattern lead, two-strand twists and stitch braids were all highlighted by London stylists in 2026 as growing styles, with the shift towards embracing natural texture rather than straightening or cutting it away. The essential step is a barber who understands shrinkage and curl pattern, because a curly cut is shaped differently from a straight one.
Buzz cuts with colour, and grey blending
At the extreme end, the buzz cut is being paired with colour, from bleached blonde to brighter shades, which is a statement look with a short lifespan. At the opposite end, grey blending is growing quietly: a semi-permanent colour that softens the contrast of grey hair without covering it completely, so it looks natural as it fades. Both are colour services, so check the current Empire menu before booking.
Which 2027 trends will last
| Cut | Maintenance | Best for | Staying power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Textured crop | Every 3–4 weeks | Straight or wavy hair, low effort | High |
| Low taper fade, natural top | Every 3–4 weeks | Anyone moving on from a high skin fade | High |
| Refined short back and sides | Every 3–4 weeks | Professional settings | High |
| Modern curtains | Every 4–6 weeks | Straight or wavy hair with density at the front | Medium |
| Soft mullet | Every 4–6 weeks | Wavy and curly hair | Medium |
| Slick back (matte) | Every 4–6 weeks | Medium length, evenings | Medium |
| Curly taper, twists, braids | Varies by style | Curly and textured hair | High |
| Warrior cut | Every 3–4 weeks | Thick hair, undone finish | Lower |
| Coloured buzz cut | Every 2–3 weeks | Statement looks | Lower |
How to choose your 2027 haircut
Start with your hair, not the trend. Thick straight hair suits crops and warrior cuts; wavy hair suits curtains and soft mullets; curly and coily hair suits curly tapers, twists and braids; fine hair suits shorter textured shapes that add volume rather than length. Then be honest about your mornings: if you will not style it, choose a cut where the shape is in the cut itself. Bring a reference photo, but expect your barber to adapt it to your hairline, growth pattern and face shape. That adaptation is the difference between a trend that looks right and one that only looks right on someone else.
Frequently asked questions
What men's haircut will be trending in 2027?
The textured crop and the low taper fade with a natural top are expected to be the most popular men's haircuts in 2027, followed by modern curtains, the soft mullet and the choppy warrior cut, all with matte rather than glossy finishes.
Are skin fades going out of style in 2027?
Skin fades are not disappearing, but softer tapers and lower fades are taking over as the more popular choice, because they grow out more gracefully and need fewer appointments.
Is the mullet still in style in 2027?
Yes, in a softer form. The 2027 mullet keeps the back only slightly longer with blended sides and natural texture, especially on wavy and curly hair.
How do I ask my barber for a 2027 haircut?
Name the cut, bring a photo, and explain how much time you spend styling each morning. A good barber will adapt the trend to your hair type and growth pattern rather than copying the photo exactly.
Want a look at what is popular right now? Read our best men's haircuts of 2026. Empire Barbershop is at Nassaukade 164H in Amsterdam West. Book your next cut on Fresha.
Read next: Winter Haircuts for Men in Amsterdam
Sources: MR PORTER, "What Is Going On With Men's Hair?" (Lauren Cochrane, April 2026); Heist of London, "Men's Hair Trends Moving into 2027" (October 2026); Alexim Atelier Duomo, Milan, "Men's Haircut Trends Autumn Winter 2026–2027" (September 2026); HairSmartly, "Hair Trends 2027 for Men" (October 2026).