The High And Tight Haircut - What Is It? How To Get The Style?

The high and tight is a military classic, getting it's routes by being the perfect hairstyle for those who have to wear helmets regularly while still sticking to military regulations.

If you're looking for something low maintenace day to day then the high and tight could well be for you!

Here's all you need to know about the high and tight haircut, plus styles you can wear with it.

High And Tight Haircut

What Is The High And Tight Haircut?

A high and tight haircut involves having the hair clippered high on the back and sides. The typical military high and tight would have either been a buzz or a crew cut, but the top can really be in pretty much any style you like it to, as long as the back and sides are taken ultra high with not much of a blend at the top.

How To Ask Your Barber For A High And Tight Haircut

To ask your barber for a high and tight haircut, ask for just that! Ask for whatever length you want on the back and sides to be taken high and tight. You'll see this on a lot of styles all the way down to a skin fade, but you don't have to go this short if you don't want to! Then get the top into the style you like. We've given some style inspiration down below to pair your high and tight with.

High And Tight Haircuts

High And Tight Buzz Cut

The high and tight buzz cut is the simplest of all of the cuts on the list and will require no styling at all. Just get up in the morning and get on with your day. This will be known to a lot of people as the Jarhead haircut. You'll want to go down to a shorter length on the back and sides, often down to a skin fade, and then wear the top with a slightly longer length.

High And Tight Buzz Cut Haircut

Source: Pinterest, @justinlea_, @cairan_mclaughlin, Pinterest

High And Tight Buzz Crew

The most modern haircut on the list, is the in between "buzz crew" - it's a haircut we love right now! This is not quite a buzz cut and not quite a crew cut. Somewhere in between, with a heavily textured top. The main difference between this and the crew cut is that there's not as much length in the fringe to push over. Just like all the haircuts on the list, get your barber to take the sides high and tight, and then wear the top to around finger length or less with heavy texture throughout. To style use a matte finish product like the Regal Gentleman Matte Clay.

High And Tight Buzz Crew Haircut

Source: @nickbarford, @nickbarford, Pinterest, Pinterest

High And Tight Crew Cut

The classic high and tight, and the one a lot of people think of when hearing the term is the crew cut. Think Tommy Egan in Power or Macklemore. To wear this get your barber to leave a little more length in the fringe and take the hair shorter towards the crown. To style in 2019 use a tiny bit of a matte product like the Regal Gentleman Matte Clay. Or if you want some shine to the hair like would have been the case with a more traditional crew cut then use a pomade to style.

High And Tight Crew Cut

Source: Pinterest, @barbersno1, @tuckercuts, Pinterest

High And Tight Side Part

The high and tight side part is a real classic. It's not likely to be taken as high as a lot of the others on the list as you'll leave a little bit of length on the side for the part, but you'll be able to see the difference between this side parting and something more classic and traditional. Take the sides down short, between a skin fade and a #1, and leave length on top with more length in the fringe getting shorter towards the crown. Add a hard part (the parting razored in) for real definition and for the ultimate high and tight look, but be aware you will have to commit to this style for a while if you go for a hard part. To style a classic high and tight side part use a medium to high shine pomade like the Regal Gentleman Pomade (coming soon).

High And Tight Side Part Haircut

Source: @blackfishbry, @patty_cuts, @blackfishbry, @blackfishbry