One of the main influences on menswear for a long time has been the military. The list of clothing items that have been directly inspired by or taken by the military services is extensive and often unexpected, ranging from bomber jackets and pea coats to cargo trousers and desert boots. Not only does military style influence apparel and footwear, but it also influences popular hairstyles. One such example is the sophisticated but carefree high and tight.

Law enforcement and members of the US military have always preferred the high and tight cut. This is a severe rendition of the traditional crew cut, often buzzed rather than slashed with scissors.

The fashion has been making its way from the battlefield into everyday life since the 1980s. Young Black Men’s own take on the high and tight was made popular by American hip-hop culture, which added sharp edges, skin fades, and loudness.

The high and tight is still very much in style today and is a terrific choice for anybody seeking a low-maintenance, fashionable cut. This is all the information you need to know about this military staple, including its definition and the important variants to take into account.

A High-Tight Haircut: What Is It?

Clippers are used to trim short hairstyles like the high and tight. There is a patch of somewhat longer hair remaining on the very top of the head, while the back and sides are buzzed, often all the way down to the skin.

The style may also be worn “disconnected,” which runs straight from one length into another. A fade is sometimes used to soften the transition between the two lengths.

Variations like the high-top fade gave the high and tight a more lofty look in the 1980s, and this helped to popularize the style among B-boy and hip-hop cultures.

Who Looks Good With A High-Low Haircut?

The most crucial thing to take into account when deciding if a high and tight is the best style for you is your facial shape.

The way certain styles seem depends on the shape of your face. The idea is to achieve a balanced head shape, thus the first step is to determine which group your face belongs in.

There are five different face shapes: round, oval, square, rectangle, and heart. Stand in front of a mirror and observe your face’s contour and the form it takes to decide which is yours.

One of the best things about the high and tight is that it covers almost the whole range. The one thing that people with long, rectangular faces should be cautious about is putting too much height on top of their heads. Apart from that, the close-cropped cut makes it a superb choice for any situations.

You should also take your lifestyle into account. The high and tight is an excellent choice for those who don’t have a lot of time since it usually takes very little style and just has to be touched up every few weeks at the barbershop.

The Greatest Tight & High Hairstyles

Popular Tight & High

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This is the most basic, unadulterated version of the high and tight. It is left very little longer on top and buzzes down to the skin on the sides and rear of the head. This version is a great choice for anybody who like the minimal maintenance of a buzz cut but wants some diversity in length since it is so short that hair takes little to no style.

If you go in and ask for a classic buzzed high and tight, any barber worth their clippers will know exactly what you want, but just to be sure, you can always take a picture with you. In fact, there’s no reason this cut can’t be done at home if you practice using a clipper.

Short-Length, High, and Tight

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This somewhat longer version adds a little more length at the top while maintaining the iconic shortness of the high and tight. Though there is still enough hair on top of the head to allow for some style, the sides are still cut tight.

Even though it is still short, the extra length may be worn in a few different ways, such as combed to the side, tousled, and shaped forward into a short crop. To make the change between the two lengths more seamless, a fade may also be used.

Regular barber visits are essential to maintaining the tidy and freshly cut-back sides of this style.

High & Tight in the Mid-Length

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The adaptability of a high and tight cut is increased by adding extra length to it. Having more hair on top greatly expands your style possibilities. You may now wear components like pompadours, lengthier quiffs, and even slick-backs if your hair is long enough. At this point, it’s difficult to distinguish between a high and tight and a crew cut; the main difference is that a high and tight has a length transition that happens higher up the head.

Finding a photo you like and showing it to the barber is the most efficient approach to get the appearance you want with mid-length high and tight haircuts since they differ greatly. This guarantees that before you even get into the chair, you and your partner are in agreement.

Tall & Narrow With Shape-Up

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“Shape-up” describes the technique of precisely cutting around and straightening the natural hairline. This easy technique enhances the sharpness of a high-knot hairstyle and is especially effective on thicker or afro-textured hair.

Again, this cut requires very little upkeep in terms of style, but the shape-up means frequent trips to the barber will be required to keep those edges sharp.

Afro Sleek & High

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For those with afro hair who like to keep their hair short and in check while showcasing its natural texture, a high and tight is a perfect alternative. You may wear it buzzed or with extra length on top to add body and help with style. If you would rather have longer hair on top, you may add a fade to create a smooth transition between the two lengths.

As before, the easiest method to acquire what you want is to look for a photo and bring it with you to the barber. Apart from the standard afro advice of “moisture, moisture, moisture,” there’s little to be concerned about in terms of style other than making sure it stays crisp with many touch-ups every few weeks.