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The 12 Most Iconic Haircuts In Movie History (And How To Get Them)

How to ask your barber for that 'Brad Pitt in Fury' you've always wanted

By and Adam Brady
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Whether it's a war hero undercut or the laid-back parting of a '60s poster boy, every man has a haircut from the world of film that they wish they could sport.

Luckily for you, we've consulted Adam Brady at top London barbers Ruffians to show you what to ask for when it comes to emulating the biggest 'dos in film.

So while you might not be able to get Brad Pitt's body (yet) or bank account, you'll at least be able to get his haircut.

Alain Delon (The Girl On The Motorcycle) - Soft Texture

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What is it? A softly textured, scissored-all-over cut, typical of a suited '60s/'70s European aesthetic (it wasn't all braids and flares, you know).

Should you get it? This sort of cut stands the test of time and isn't too unusual a look at the moment – in fact, if you take the sides and back in just a bit so the hair sits neatly behind the ear, you've got yourself a proper on-trend 'do. Style with a salt spray for a natural finish, or scrunch in a paste for a bit more gloss.

Brad Pitt (Fury) – Military Undercut

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What is it? This is an undercut – which basically means a noticeable disconnection in the hair between the back and sides and the top. As long as the hair on top's length is less than two inches, you've got yourself a military undercut – anything longer, and you'd be kicked out the army for breaking regulations.

Should you get it? This was a really popular look a couple of years ago, largely due to stylish shows like Boardwalk Empire (where Michael Pitt's character anachronistically wore this look) – so it may look a bit outdated if you choose this style these days. However, if you ask your barber to go as short as they can with scissors (rather than clippers) for a more natural textured finish on the sides, there will be a more suitable contrast with the top section. Rake a pomade through damp hair with your fingers for a strong hold.

Cyba Gooding Jr (Boyz In The Hood) – High-top Fade

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What is it? The high-top fade rose to prominence in the '80s, via especially visual and vocal musicians (Grace Jones, for example). It's a style that has achieved almost cult status in the barbering community, as it requires intense precision and patience to achieve the perfect finish.

Should you get it? We are certainly having a '90s revival in clothes, so why not extend this to hair as well? Top tip – if you've got a long face, best to go for a low-top, so that the silhouette of your head isn't further elongated. It's a perfect choice if you want to control a thick afro, but will require frequent trips to the barber to keep it sharp.

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Denzel Washington (Training Day) – Fade

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What is it? Simple and effective – a fade haircut is when the lowest part of the back and sides are a 0 or 0.5 clipper grade, and there is a gradual move up the clipper guards until the top section. In Washington's Training Day look, the fade has been blended into the top section, so there is no disconnection.

Should you get it? It's a fairly inoffensive style that's best suited to afro hair. It's a good option if you have a strong and straight hairline and – it being super short – is easy to maintain.

Gregory Peck (To Kill A Mockingbird) – Soft and Thick

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What is it? It's a decent amount of thick hair, styled with a rather high, side-parting. No clippers here – just fairly frequently trimmed ends, to keep the length and weight of the hair full.

Should you get it? It's not a particularly current look, and might make you look a bit behind the times. But, in its day, this style denoted prestige and probably wealth, as it would have required regular visits to the barber and various products to keep it in place.

Jake Gyllenhaal (Southpaw) – Buzzcut

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What is it? A buzzcut is a simple clipper job – one grade on the back and sides, and a slightly higher grade on top works a charm.

Should I get it? Go for it – the buzzcut will always be an ideal summer option and it's a bit of a rite of passage for a bloke: who doesn't want to see the shape of their own head? It's best for those with symmetrical features and a good bone structure (obviously) but also is a smart option if your hair is significantly thinning – take the plunge and consider a thicker facial hair option to redirect attention.

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James Dean (East Of Eden) – Soft Quiff

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What is it? A trailblazer in style and attitude, James Dean's overall image has been coveted by men and women ever since his stardom began. His hairstyle reflected his nonchalant attitude – an intentional, casual messiness. Unlike the immaculate and preened higher quiffs of 1960s Americana, Dean's look can be achieved with less effort. It's a scissored cut, with more weight and length on top than on the back and sides.

Should you get it? It's essentially a short back and sides – the most versatile cut you can get. Ask your barber to go a bit shorter on the back and sides and tighter around the ears to get a good contrast – and style by running paste through damp/almost dry hair with your

Leonardo DiCaprio (Catch Me If You Can) – Sweepback

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What is it? The hair is long enough to be pushed back behind the ears; it's pretty much the same length all over and styled with minimal effort, following the natural form and direction of the hair growth.

Should you get it? There's a certain type of hair which lends itself very well to this look – thick straight hair with a very slight wave to it. You won't get the sleek and streamlined finish if you've got curly or wavy hair. If you do decide to get this look, make sure you don't use too much pomade, as it will give it an overly slimy finish.

Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis) – Thick Texture and Beard

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What is it? Seemingly unpretentious and fairly low-key, this style shows off a naturally thick head of hair and substantial facial hair growth. There's choppy texture on top, and a neatly pruned beard, ideal for the more hirsute among us.

Should you get it? An inoffensive and up-to-date look, you could even ask for a taper or a fade on the sides to add a bit of interest and contrast to the look. Keep the top textured and choppy, but remember to ask your barber to remove some weight by the crown so the focus is on the front of the head.

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Paul Newman (Coolhand Luke) – Textured Crop

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What is it? A crop is a cut where the length is pretty much the same all over. It's a versatile look that works for most hair types, and it's particularly low-maintenance, unsurprising given Newman's louche attitude.

Should you get it? This is ideal if you're looking for something classic but not boring – you can add interest to the top section by applying a clay or a texturizing dust, and rubbing through with your hands.

Ryan Gosling (A Place Beyond The Pines) – Textured Crop – bleached

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What is it? Not entirely dissimilar to Cool Hand Luke's crop, this cut is a grown out version of the look – a textured, scissored all over style, bleached blonde.

Should you get it? If you're not happy with the colour of your hair, why not try something new? However – you've got to get it done by a professional, otherwise you could damage your scalp, miss various chunks of your hair, or turn it the wrong colour – seriously, certain hair colours need a toner to stop it going purple.

Sam Riley (Control) – Blunt Fringe

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What is it? This is a blunt fringe – a fringe where the hair is cut in a straight line and styled downwards, rather than swept to the side. The rest of the cut works in creating a square shape in the silhouette of the face.

Should you get it? Fringes can be a bit of a pain to maintain – it's best to use a salt spray, then a blowdryer (from the back to the front) then a paste to style it. If you can deal with that, and particularly if you have a long face (it will shorten it, rebalancing the proportions), this is great look which can frame your face really well.

Headshot of Finlay Renwick
Finlay Renwick
Deputy Style Editor
Mother, blogger, vegan, model, liar
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