How to Get & Style an Ivy League Haircut: A Complete Guide

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Look polished and professional with this classic haircut

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Reviewed by Jasmin Todd

Last Updated: January 23, 2025 Fact Checked

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What is an ivy league haircut?

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Asking for an Ivy League Haircut

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Styling & Maintenance

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Popular Styles

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Ivy League Haircut History

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Ivy League vs Classic Crew Cut

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Ivy League Cut FAQs

Popularized by college students in the 1950s and 1960s, the Ivy League haircut is a longer version of the classic crew cut. It’s super easy to maintain and suits a variety of face shapes, so if you’ve been wanting to switch up your style, look no further! In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the Ivy League haircut, including how to style, maintain, and ask your barber for the look.

An Overview of the Ivy League Haircut

The Ivy League haircut is a longer crew cut that can be parted to the side. To get the look, ask your barber to leave 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 cm to 5 cm) of hair on top, gradually shortening it toward the crown. Have them trim the sides between a #2 or #5, and use a pomade or wax to keep your hair in place.

Section 1 of 7:

What is an ivy league haircut?

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Also known as the Harvard Clip or Princeton cut, the Ivy League is a type of crew cut that leaves enough hair in front so it can be parted to the side. It features short, tapered sides and back, with slightly longer hair on top. This creates a classic and refined look that’s perfect for professionals, students, and anyone else who wants a polished style without spending hours at the salon.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 7:

How to Ask for an Ivy League Haircut

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Request an Ivy League haircut or a classic crew cut with a side part. For a classic Ivy League haircut, ask your barber to leave 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 cm to 5 cm) of hair in the front, gradually shortening it toward the crown. Add texture throughout your hair to make it easier to style at home, and have them trim the sides between a #2 or #5 clipper guard, depending on how short you want it.^{[2]
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- Grow out the hair on the sides so it’s somewhere between 2 to 5 inches (5 cm to 12.7 cm). Otherwise, you’ll have to choose a short and faded variation of the Ivy League cut.
- Show your barber reference photos of Ivy League haircuts that have the bangs, graduation, and styling you like. The key to a flattering haircut is to be clear about what you want!

Section 3 of 7:

Styling & Maintaining an Ivy League Haircut

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Use a pomade or wax to hold your hairstyle in place. One of the best things about the Ivy League haircut is that it’s super easy to style and maintain. Just warm up a dime-sized amount of pomade or wax between your fingertips, then apply the product to your hair. Use a comb to sweep your hair to either side for a classic Ivy League style, or run your fingers through your hair for a textured, messy look.^{[3]
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- Alternatively, use a matte clay or other texturizing product to achieve the look you want.
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Blow-dry with a round brush to add more volume on top. Hold your hair dryer a few inches away from the hair on top and point the nozzle downward to minimize frizz. Celebrity hairstylist Noël Reid-Killings recommends “using a round brush” to lift the hair up and away from your forehead, while blow-drying your hair from behind.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Noël Reid-Killings
Celebrity Hair Stylist

Expert Interview} Repeat this process 2 to 3 times until your hair is the perfect shape.
- Before blow-drying your hair, apply a heat protectant spray over your strands, avoiding the scalp area.
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Get your Ivy League haircut trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks. You only need 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 cm to 5 cm) of hair on top for a classic Ivy League haircut, which means you can go in for a trim every 4 to 6 weeks. If you have bangs or super short sides, you might have to visit your barber every 3 to 4 weeks (depending on how fast your hair grows).^{[5]
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- You can always grow out your Ivy League haircut for a messy and effortless look, or teach yourself how to fade the sides or cut your bangs at home.
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Use shampoo and conditioner that matches your hair type. To maintain the health of your hair, invest in shampoo and conditioner that’s specially formulated for your hair type. Professional hair stylist Jenny Tran recommends “rinsing [your hair] with warm water to open up the hair cuticle…then rinsing with cool water to seal in hydration.”^{[6]
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Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview} Your hair will be thicker and shiner in the long run, which can improve the look of your haircut!
- For straight hair, use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner to minimize frizz and add extra shine.
- For wavy, curly, or textured hair, use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to hydrate your strands and minimize heat damage.

Section 4 of 7:

Variations of the Ivy League Haircut

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If you’re looking for a short and simple ‘do, the short Ivy League haircut is for you! The hair on top is cut long enough to be combed to the side, but the sides are buzz cut for a sharper look. Think of it as the classic Ivy League cut, only significantly shorter.^{[7]
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Strike the perfect balance between laid-back and formal with this longer Ivy League haircut. It has more length and movement than the classic cut, so you can style it many different ways—from a sleek, pushed-back style to a voluminous, quiffed ‘do.
This is a casual take on the classic Ivy League cut. Keep the sides shorter than the top, but ask your barber to leave enough length so you can add volume. To style your hair, apply a sea salt spray or pomade for a messy, textured look.^{[8]
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If you have naturally curly hair, you can still rock an Ivy League haircut! Just ask your barber to leave enough length on top so ringlets can form, and apply a light curl cream after you shower to minimize frizz and add definition. Curls add more volume and contrast to the classic Ivy League cut, making the style more texturally interesting.
This modern style is even more sharp and striking than the classic Ivy League cut. The top is left just as long (or even longer), while the sides and back are gradually shorter. To maintain the crisp fade, you’ll need to visit your barber regularly for touch-ups.^{[9]
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If you have thick hair, the side-swept Ivy League is a solid choice. It’s surprisingly easy to style and maintain, so you won’t have to spend a lot of time fixing your hair. All you need to do is sweep the front hair with some styling cream or mousse, then add hairspray to seal everything in place.^{[10]
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Elevate the traditional Ivy League haircut with a strong and edgy hard part. It’s basically a line shaved into your hair to separate the 2 sections, making it easier to style than a natural part. Just keep both sides of your hair in place with a clay, wax, or pomade.
If you want a contemporary look, opt for the undercut version of the Ivy League. The sides and back are completely shaved, while the longer hair on top is combed back. It’s a short and sleek hairstyle that works for casual and professional settings.
This elegant take on the Ivy League cut features more volume and motion. The hair is styled upward, so it looks fuller at the front before gradually tapering to the sides and back. Apply styling mousse to lift the roots and control the height of your hair.
Sported by service members, the military Ivy League haircut is both polished and practical. It features a longer top that can be parted or styled, and sides that are faded to a super short length. Use a dime-sized amount of pomade to keep the style in place and add a slight sheen.

Section 5 of 7:

Ivy League Haircut History

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It was a popular choice among students at Ivy League universities, like Yale, Harvard, and Princeton. These schools wanted their students to look polished and put together, and the Ivy League haircut reflected that image. It eventually became a favorite hairstyle among professionals and politicians.^{[11]
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Section 6 of 7:

Ivy League Haircut vs Classic Crew Cut

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The Ivy League haircut is a slightly longer version of the crew cut. The hair on top is long enough to be parted and brushed to the side, while the crown is cut short. Unlike the crew cut, the Ivy League features hair that’s slightly longer over the ears. This gives it a more preppy aesthetic, rather than the military look.^{[12]
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- If your sides are shaved shorter than a #2, you’re leaning more towards a crew cut.

Section 7 of 7:

Ivy League Haircut Frequently Asked Questions

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What face shapes look best with an Ivy League haircut? The Ivy League suits a variety of face shapes, but it’s especially flattering for those with oval or rectangular faces. With that being said, you can always style the longer hair on top in a way that complements your face shape, or customize the texture to accommodate your natural hair.
- After you determine your face shape, talk to your barber to see what style suits you. They can offer advice on what works well with your hair texture and length.
Celebs like Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Liam Hemsworth, Channing Tatum, Henry Golding, and Zac Efron have sported the look.^{[13]
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Research source} The Ivy League was also popular among politicians, such as John F. Kennedy.
Yes, the Ivy League is considered a preppy haircut because it was popularized by students at universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Today, it’s a popular style among professionals and anyone who wants a clean-cut look.^{[14]
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