Mod Cut: 23 Trendy Hairstyle Ideas For Modern Men

The mod cut brings together old-school vibes with today’s fresh style, making it perfect for guys who want to look cool, bold, and unique. This layered cut with its choppy texture mixes class with creative freedom, giving you that perfect look whether you’re an artist, free spirit, or someone who loves to stand out.

Whether you style it messy and relaxed or neat and polished, the mod cut gives you lots of options while keeping that vintage cool factor and sharp edge. That’s why so many guys are asking for it at their local barbershop. This haircut has high competition with French Crop cut.

This complete guide shows you the best mod haircut styles for men, giving you plenty of ideas to try this awesome trend. These pictures will help you see exactly what each cut looks like, so you can show your barber exactly what you want – from how you want your fringe to how long your sideburns should be.

What Is A Mod Cut?

The mod cut is a bold men’s hairstyle that features longer, textured hair on top with thick fringe in front. The sides and back have layers too, creating a natural, slightly messy look with good volume and flow. This style became popular in London during the 1960s when young music lovers and fashion fans called “Modernists” made it their signature look.

This retro-style cut works great for young guys and can be adjusted to fit different face shapes, especially if you have an oval or square face.

To get this cut, tell your barber you want short to medium layers with extra length in the back and bangs, plus some length around the sideburns. We suggest bringing a photo of the exact style you like to your appointment so your barber can understand exactly what you’re going for.

Trending Men’s Mod Haircuts

Stylish Long Mod

This flowing, attractive long mod is a popular men’s cut that takes the classic ’60s look and adds a light, modern twist. Thick waves sweep across the forehead from the top of your head, while plenty of layers on the sides and back create a fun yet edgy feel. The longer hair in back gently touches your collar, shaping your face and highlighting strong features.

Classy Mod with Beard

This updated, easy-care classy mod with facial hair combines longer layers on top with shorter ones on the back and sides for a clean finish. Thick fringe that stops just above your eyebrows pairs perfectly with a beard that’s fuller around the chin area than on the cheeks and jawline.

Short Mod Cut

A short mod cut is flexible and simple, taking the classic vintage style up a notch with thick fringe and textured layers. The carefully styled, side-swept bangs create a straight, curved edge that frames your eyebrows. Uneven sideburns and a bit of curl at the neck add a playful, attractive finish.

Textured Mod

This subtle textured mod is appealing and attractive for guys who want an eye-catching style with special character. Short, choppy layers that flow forward from the crown and back form the base of the cut, while thick, straight-across fringe creates a nice contrast. A matte texturizing product is key to getting this textured appearance, and some well-placed highlights can make it even better.

Modern Mod

An updated modern mod is an improved version of the original cut, showing off Britpop culture’s many messy layers. The full and playful waves rise high along the top and crown while long, thick sideburns frame the ears on the sides. Match this look with medium-length fringe and a goatee for an iconic attention-getting style.

Classic 60s Mod Cut

The classic 60s mod cut features shorter hair on the back and sides, longer hair along the top, and fringe that reaches your eyebrows. This timeless version is known for collar-length hair at the neck, shorter pieces at the ears, and a tousled top that adds height and dimension. Try sweeping the fringe to either side or parting them down the middle for a flirty appearance.

Short, Choppy Mod with Beard

A simple short, choppy mod with facial hair includes the main features of a mod but has a more refined and classy finish. This version works well with thin hair since it focuses more on shape than height and texture. Ask your stylist for a long, scissor cut with gentle layers, a little extra length at the sideburns, and medium-length fringe. Many people confuse this style with Two Block haircut.

Long, Shaggy Mod

A long, shaggy mod reflects punk rock culture more than British pop, with its chunky, piece-y appearance. All the hair flows forward from the crown, creating thick fringe that reaches the eyebrows. The shorter layers on the sides still cover the ears, and the longer layers in back barely touch the shoulders. Stylists might use a razor to create the rough ends, a method that adds personality.

Rocker Mod Cut

A rocker mod cut is shorter than other types, featuring a chunky, almost spiky look along the top. The fringe is wispy instead of thick, and the longest parts of hair are at the sides, just in front of the ears. The hair at the back and neck are short, drawing attention upward to the fringe and sideburns. This cut works well with all hair types, including fine or thinning hair.

Messy and Textured

A messy and textured mod is popular because it’s low-maintenance and easy to style. The unique feathery texture is simple to achieve with razor-cut layers and texturizing styling wax. The short sideburns end suddenly at the top of the earlobe, creating the signature shape.

Mod with Angular Fringe with Beard

A structured mod with angular fringe and facial hair is a fun twist on the classic cut, mixing vintage and modern elements that grab attention. Instead of thick fringe covering the whole forehead, the fringe flows forward with the longest point reaching the bridge of the nose. Keeping hair shorter along the sides and back and adding a full, short beard helps frame the face, creating a handsome finish.

Mod with Long Sideburns

A shapely mod with long sideburns works for any occasion, whether it’s poker night with friends or being best man at a wedding. The back, sides, and fringe are pretty short for a mod, making the sideburns look fuller and longer. Messing up the top gives a touch of height and volume, and a full mustache balances the style.

Edgy and Choppy

An edgy and choppy mod is a great choice for guys with thick, straight hair. Success depends on your hair’s natural texture and a professional stylist’s skill. Spiky fringe almost reaches the eyebrows, and tousled layers on top copy the choppiness. Medium sideburns sweep forward across the cheekbone, framing the eyes.

Longer and Tousled

A longer and tousled mod features layers that can add bounce and lift to fine hair. The hair is longest at and near the crown but sweeps forward over the forehead in medium-length fringe. The sides are shorter around the ears, and good thickness at the neck complements the volume on top. Styling is pretty simple: apply some texturizing spray with sea salt and tousle, then let the hair dry before spraying with flexible hair spray.

Short, Textured, and Messy 90s Mod

A short, textured, and messy 90s mod is traditional in front but has much shorter hair at the back and sides. The playful, glamorous result highlights masculine features, making the jawline and cheekbones look more defined. This attractive cut suits thick waves or curls but can be changed for most hair types like crew cut.

Mod with Attitude

A mod with attitude uses rebellion and playfulness while showing confidence. Skilled stylists can easily adapt the mod to curls by creating long sideburns and curly fringe, shorter hair at the sides, and longer hair at the neck. To style this look at home, apply curl-boosting mousse to damp hair, then scrunch and let dry – or blow dry with a diffuser. Closely look like Edgar haircut.

Mod Mullet

A mod mullet is a creative cut with the same full high layers as a mod on top but shorter hair at the sides and back. The style’s key features are shorter, thinner sideburns and much shorter fringe. This look suits many hair types, but wavy hair is important for creating the slightly messy texture that goes with a mod cut.

Indie Mod

The indie mod takes the cut back to its beginnings in the 1960s, showing sophistication with a touch of edgy rebellion. Unlike a traditional mod, this cut features more obvious layers styled into soft spikes. The sides and back are short and relatively clean, and the sideburns are long and thick, sharply contrasting with the full top and wispy fringe. Mix this style with buzz cut for unique look.

Curly Mod

A curly mod makes the most of natural curls, allowing for stress-free, easy styling at home. The cut doesn’t have the clear layers of its more traditional version, but the long fringe, thick sideburns and neck area, and shorter hair around the ears copy the mod structure. Healthy hair, curl cream, and curl-defining pomade or wax are essential for styling at home.

Shaggy, Modern Mod with Layers

A shaggy, modern mod with layers is long all over, including at the sides and back, creating a uniform, retro-inspired style. Long, side-swept fringe blends into the thick sideburns, giving an edgy, attractive vibe. The shorter hair around the ears provides the cut with its shape, and the longer hair at the neck balances the look.

Wolfy Mod Cut

A wolfy mod cut is a unique mix of several styles. The wolf cut combines some elements of a mullet with the structure of a retro shag. To turn the style into a subtle mod cut, stylists create plenty of layers, trim the hair shorter around the ears, and leave long, full fringe. Mixing different textures – feathery ends at the neck and blunt edges around the face – creates a unified, balanced style.

Piecey Mod

A piecey mod uses precision and contrasting textures, creating a rebellious and daring cut. The spiky hair along the top and at the back plays with the structure of a mohawk, making the stick-straight, comb-textured hair at the fringe and sideburns look more distinct. It takes some effort in styling but will definitely turn heads. It looks like Side Part hairstyles but more attractive than those styles.

Easy and Layered

An easy and layered mod cut makes the style more accessible to men with fine or thin hair. The tousled, windblown appearance creates the appearance of volume, and the shorter hair at the sides and back further boosts the effect. Thick, tousled fringe draws attention, while a wispy blonde mustache serves as a balance, finishing the look.

How To Style The Mod Cut

Styling the mod cut means applying a small amount of texturizing hair product with medium hold to achieve a natural, tousled look. To recreate the modernist look at home without a stylist, follow these steps:

Start with Clean, Healthy Hair

Clean, healthy hair is the foundation of a mod cut. Use shampoo and conditioner that fit your hair type, and make sure to use a clarifying shampoo at least once a week to remove product buildup. Regular trims are important for keeping healthy hair, so see a stylist about once every six to eight weeks.

Use The Right Product For Perfect Styling

Like shampoo and conditioner, using a good men’s hair styling product that fits your length, texture, and style can be a simple way to achieve the perfect mod. Some of the most popular products include the following:

• Pomade – Pomades are usually thick and creamy, giving a matte to slightly shiny finish and medium to firm hold. Pomades are perfect for styling sleek elements, such as slicked-over fringe.
• Styling Clay – The best styling clays start almost solid but quickly become workable with heat from your hand and spread easily through hair, creating control, grip, and natural texture. Clay offers little to no shine, and because it provides strong, flexible hold, it’s a popular choice for textured or messy mod cuts.
• Curl Cream – Creams are usually light and water-based, offering a natural finish with light hold. They are perfect for keeping the movement found in wavy or curly mods.
• Mousse – Mousse starts as foam but quickly works into the hair for light hold and natural shine. Mousse can also help provide lift and height, mainly when applied to the roots while hair is still slightly damp. This product is best for adding volume and body, making it essential for men with fine hair.

Blow Dry

After applying the right amount of your chosen product, the next step involves blow-drying the hair to a sleek finish, usually while using a round brush. Lift the hair and aim the warm air directly at the roots for great lift, or use a non-vented paddle brush to highlight sleeker mod cuts.

Men with curls or waves might benefit from a diffuser attachment, which can prevent frizz before it starts. Remember to encourage the hair to fall forward from the crown and at each side of the neck while drying.

Shape The Style

Shaping the mod cut starts during the blow-drying phase, but a comb is a great tool for creating texture, parting fringe, or bringing a classy finish. Spiky or piecey styles might benefit from applying a small amount of styling cream, wax, or pomade.

Apply A Finishing Product

For windblown or textured looks, apply texturizing spray containing clay or sea salt at the roots of the hair, then use your fingertips to work it in and tousle gently. Use hair spray to finish, only at the end of the styling process.

Mod vs Mullet

The difference between the mullet haircut and mod cut is the mullet features shorter hair in front and sides with extra length in back, while the mod generally needs longer fringe and some focus on the sides with pointed sideburns.

Generally, professional stylists and barbers say that, although the main feature of the mod men’s hairstyle is the sideburns and heavy bangs, the mullet’s signature look comes from the long back and natural flow. Female can try butterfly haircut for classy look.