If you search for hairstyles for guys on Pinterest or Instagram, you will quickly learn that the messy French crop is one of the most sought-after haircuts for men this year.
It’s so popular that we asked our stylists for their thoughts on the style, including popular French cut variants that they’ve seen and some styling tips to share with anyone keen on this look.
So, with that in mind, we introduce you to the messy French crop hairstyle and reveal how you can ask your barber to style this iconic haircut in 2024 to help you look the part.
What is a messy French crop haircut?
The French crop is a short to mid-length haircut that’s common among young men. It features long, shaggy hair on top and a fade or buzz cut on the sides. The messy French crop hairstyle was popularized by the TV show, the Peaky Blinders, with many replicating the look of Tommy Shelby and his gang.
The main characteristics of a French crop messy haircut
The messy French crop is one of the trendiest hairstyles right now for young guys with the following key characteristics and features:
✅ Super short back and sides, often faded and of slightly different lengths.
✅ Textured, messy hair on top that’s left longer at the front for styling.
✅ It can be tailored with or without facial hair, depending on preference.
There are numerous versions of the messy French crop you can go for, including:
1. French crop messy fringe
Leaving the fringe long and messy is a great way to style this look, as it gives you full flexibility to work different features into your hair. You could even slick the fringe to the back or to one side to smarten up the French cut from time to time if you wish.
2. French crop fade messy
Though a French crop doesn’t need to have a fade, we think it looks much better with this style. A fade is when the barber razor cuts your hair in a gradual transition from short hair at the bottom and sides to longer on the top. The best fades make this transition look seamless, as shown in the picture above.
3. Long messy French crop
The French crop is widely seen as an awesome short to medium cut for guys, but it can also be a good option for men with slightly longer hair. The best way to lengthen a French crop is to wear the fringe further down your forehead, as shown above. The extra length on top is another brilliant way to add texture and dimension to this classic look.
4. Messy French crop straight hair
Many people see the French crop as the perfect style for guys with wavy, curly, or tousled hair, but the reality is that it can work just as well for men with straight hair. Though not quite as messy, it gives off smart casual vibes that make this a great cut to consider for the office. It also increases the versatility of the French crop and means you can style it with a quiff or a few other options, depending on how long you leave your hair on top.
5. Messy French crop skin fade
A skin fade is similar to a normal fade, but as its name suggests, the cut is much shorter, revealing the skin. Most guys who go for a skin fade ask the barber for a number zero or one for a super short and slick look on the back and sides. This is one of the trendiest looks to go for right now and is extremely popular with younger guys looking to make a great impression!
6. Messy French crop high fade
The height of the fade is another way to differentiate the French crop. While most guys go for a mid fade, you can take it higher as shown in the picture above. This creates a more striking difference between the length up top and the short hair on the back and sides, particularly if you go for a skin fade.
7. Short messy French crop
It’s important not to take the French crop too short as you will lose the contrast between the extra length on top and the fade or buzz cut on the back and sides. As shown above, a skin fade with short hair on top can work really well, particularly when contrasted with a bushy beard. The three striking contrasts suit angled faces particularly well.
How to style a messy French crop: Top tips from Laifen experts
Now that you’ve seen some stunning French crop hairstyles to try this year, here are some expert tips from our stylists to help you look your best after choosing this look:
✔ ️Fading the hair adds dimension: Asking your barber to fade your hair at the back and sides adds considerable dimension to the French crop. In other words, it’s a better option than buzzing the hair on the back and sides to one length.
✔️Blow-dry your hair on top: Blow-drying your hair on top with the Laifen Swift is a great way to achieve a messy, tousled look. You can then apply some fixing spray or pomade to keep your hair in place after drying it.
✔️Facial hair is a great addition: We love how the French crop looks with facial hair, particularly when the back and sides are faded. You can keep your stubble short and manageable or go for a full, bushy beard, depending on your preferences.
✔️Visit your barber regularly: One of the keys to maintaining the length and texture of your French crop is visiting your barber regularly. We recommend once a month for the best results, but don’t leave it any longer than this as your hair can look disheveled.
French crop alternatives
Are you not completely sold on the messy French crop, or do you want to try something different? Here are some messy French crop alternatives that you can ask your barber about during your next visit:
Caesar cut
The Caesar cut is very similar to the French crop, but it features a uniformly blunt fringe and a shorter overall length. It’s less flexible than the French crop and is better suited to guys with square faces.
Classic crew cut
A classic crew cut is also similar to a French crop, but it’s not as long on top and is often tapered on the sides. It’s also more uniform and less messy than a French crop, making it a good option for guys who like something a little more structured.
Conclusion
The messy French crop is undoubtedly one of the hottest styles in 2024 for guys. We’d go as far to say that it’s one of the most prominent looks among young men right now, thanks to the striking contrast between the fade on the back and sides and the additional length up top.
With everything considered, we highly recommend the messy French crop as a smart and stylish hairstyle this year – you can also read through our FAQs below for more details on how to style your hair.
FAQ
Q1: What face shape is best for a French crop?
The beauty of the French crop is that it suits practically all face shapes and types. It’s also well suited to different hair types, and can look great on guys with straight, curly, and wavy hair, such is the flexibility and dynamic nature of this cut.
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Q2: What’s the difference between the French crop and the crew cut?
The French crop features a cropped fringe, while the crew cut is usually worn up on top. Also, many guys go for shorter fades on the back and sides when asking for the French crop.
Q3: Is the French crop a low-maintenance hairstyle?
The French crop is a super low-maintenance hairstyle, but you will need to use a styling product on top to make the most out of your look. You should also visit your barber around once every month to sharpen the back and sides and to take some of the length off the top of your hair.
