TL;DR
- Best for: Oval, square, heart, or oblong faces who want a polished professional look
- Avoid if: Very curly hair or want zero daily maintenance
- Ask your barber: "2–3 inches on top, tapered sides, enough length to part or sweep to the side"
- Maintenance: Trim every 3–4 weeks
Who Does It Suit?
Best for people who want a clean, professional cut with just enough length to style.
Ideal for:
- Oval, square, heart, or oblong-shaped faces
- Professionals in business, law, finance, or consulting
- Guys who want to look put-together without looking "try-hard"
- Straight or wavy hair that holds a side-swept shape
- Anyone who wants one cut that works for both office and weekend
Hair types:
- Straight: The classic Ivy League look — holds shape perfectly with minimal product
- Wavy: Adds natural volume and movement; looks effortlessly polished
- Thick: Works great but may need thinning to prevent bulk
Avoid If...
- Very curly hair → the side-swept shape won't hold; try a textured crop or overgrown buzz
- Want zero maintenance → this cut needs 60 seconds of daily styling; try a burr cut or modern buzz
- Very fine hair → the top may look flat and limp; a textured crop adds more visual density
- Hate using product → a small amount of pomade or clay is needed for the polished look
- Want an edgy or trendy look → this is classic and conservative by design; try a textured crop or modern mullet
What is an Ivy League?
The Ivy League — also called a Princeton cut or Harvard clip — is essentially a longer crew cut. The top is 2–3 inches, long enough to part or sweep to the side, while the sides are tapered (not faded) for a clean, gradual transition. It's the haircut that says "I went to a good school" whether you did or not. The key difference from a crew cut is the extra top length that allows styling versatility.
Ivy League vs Crew Cut vs Side Part
| Ivy League | Crew Cut | Side Part | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top length | 2–3 inches, side-swept | 1–2 inches, forward | 3–4 inches, parted |
| Sides | Tapered | Faded or tapered | Tapered or faded |
| Styling time | 60 seconds | 30 seconds | 2–3 minutes |
| Formality | Business casual to formal | Casual to business | Business to formal |
Bottom line: Ivy League = the middle ground. More polished than a crew cut, less effort than a side part. The Goldilocks of professional haircuts.
Measurements
- Top: 2–3 inches (longer at the front, shorter toward the crown)
- Sides: Tapered, starting at #2–3 near the ears
- Part: Optional — natural or defined
- Trim: Every 3–4 weeks
Face Shape Tweaks
- Round: Keep top at 3 inches for height; tighter taper on sides to elongate
- Square: Standard Ivy League works perfectly — your angles complement the clean lines
- Oval: Any variation works; experiment with part placement
- Heart: Keep sides slightly fuller to balance forehead width
- Oblong: Don't add too much height on top; keep it 2 inches max and add side volume
Hair Type Tweaks
- Straight: Use a light pomade for hold; comb to the side for the classic look
- Wavy: Leave slightly longer (2.5–3 inches) to let waves add natural volume
- Curly: Not ideal — if you insist, keep top at 3+ inches and use a strong hold product
- Thick: Ask barber to thin the top with thinning shears; prevents the "helmet" look
- Fine/Thin: Use volumizing products; blow dry with a round brush for lift
If You Have Thick Hair
The Ivy League with thick hair can look bulky without proper management:
- Ask for thinning shears: Your barber should thin the top to remove bulk while keeping length. This is non-negotiable for thick hair.
- Use matte clay, not pomade: Pomade adds shine that makes thick hair look heavier. Matte clay controls without weight.
- Blow dry with direction: After washing, blow dry while combing to the side. This trains thick hair to lie flat.
- Don't skip the taper: A clean taper on the sides prevents the "mushroom" effect where thick sides puff out.
- Trim every 3 weeks, not 4: Thick hair grows faster and loses shape sooner. Stay on a tighter schedule.
What to Tell Your Barber
"I'd like an Ivy League: 2–3 inches on top with enough length to sweep to the side, tapered sides starting at a #2–3, natural blend. Thin the top if it's too bulky."
How to Style
Daily (60 seconds):
- Towel dry until damp
- Apply pea-sized amount of matte clay or light pomade
- Comb or finger-sweep to the side
- Done
Polished (2 minutes):
- Towel dry until slightly damp
- Apply styling product evenly
- Blow dry on medium heat while combing to the side
- Set the part with a fine-tooth comb
- Light hairspray if needed for all-day hold
Maintenance Timeline
- Week 1: Sharpest look. Taper is clean, top holds shape, part is defined.
- Week 2: Still looks great. Top getting slightly longer — more styling options.
- Week 3: Sides starting to lose taper definition. Top may need more product.
- Week 4: Time to book. Shape is softening. Sides are noticeably grown out.
Pro tip: Learn to use a blow dryer — it's the difference between a good Ivy League and a great one. 30 seconds of directed heat transforms the look.
Common Mistakes
-
Letting the top get too long Fix: Once it flops over your forehead, it's no longer an Ivy League — it's a side part. Trim at 3 weeks
-
Getting a fade instead of a taper Fix: The Ivy League is defined by its gradual taper, not a sharp fade. Specify "taper, not fade"
-
Using too much product Fix: A pea-sized amount is enough. Over-product makes it look greasy and dated
-
Skipping the blow dry Fix: Air drying works for casual days, but a quick blow dry gives the polished Ivy League look
-
Not thinning thick hair Fix: If your hair is thick, thinning shears are essential. Without them, you get a helmet
