The Navy Crew Cut: A Classic Military Style with Purpose

Introduction

The crew cut is described as a very short hair type and it has been hailed as the haircut of the United States Navy and other maritime military. This uncomplicated cut has deep roots that can be traced back to naval history. 

Origins of the Crew Cut

The crew cut dates back to the early 20th century when safety and hygiene were important on ships. Less hair could get caught in such machines as well as short hair could be easily washed. Short hairstyles were already common in the US Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine by World War II. The crew cut is named as such because this particular style was traditionally worn by the ship crews at sea.

Coming of Age in the 1940s and 1950s

In the Second World War, every male in the US Navy, as well as the Coast Guard, had rates crew cuts as military requisites. Some of these groups were adopted after the war in 1945 and the crew cut was maintained by veteran soldiers. Throughout history, women used hair as a status symbol and it became a cultural image of the military-disciplined men who fought for their nation. 

Punitive haircuts were still prevalent in the seaborne armed forces during the entire Korean War of the early 1950s. It also became popular with the postwar civilian population, particularly adolescents, this implicitly and male adolescents embraced the style for its stylish and youthful appearance.

Distinct Characteristics of the Classic Crew Cut

The traditional crew cut is defined by these distinct features:

• Hair length is approximately one-fourth inch on all parts of the scalp
• Slight and sharp taper on the back and sides 
• Bangs are very short reaching only the eyebrows level. 

Barbers could shave a crew cut and would employ hair clippers to achieve an even height all of the time. By holding the clippers and sliding them over a plastic attachment comb, they could use the top hair to create the classic smooth flathead look. 

In contrast to normal short hairstyles, the hair at the crown in the crew cut was cut shorter, while the hair on the top was only somewhat longer than the hair at the crown. The shortest hair at the back/sides with a flat top is the noticeable characteristic of the crew cut.

Etymological Importance of the Navy Crew Cut  

In the 1940s-1960s, crew cut reflected the clean-shaven boy next door courageous men of the United States armed forces. It provided boys and men with a feeling that they could imitate the maturity and manhood of military role models. The utilitarian and straightforward style of the crew cut hair suited a new icon, which extolled high ethical standards, discipline, and determination to succeed.

When trends began to start appearing in public during the 1960s cultural revolution, the rejection of the stiff crew cut was considered to be equivalent to the rejection of conformity to strict standards set by previous decades. The new fashion symbol for those in student protest was long hair while short hair was associated with the old fogies or fuddy-duddies.

It’s a Modern Take on the Classic Crew Cut

Trends disappeared from the crew cut through the other decades that followed the 1960s. Although, it never went out of existence completely and was rather restricted to quite an orgy of popularity. It remains a popular cultural hairstyle for young men of high standards with many young men in the year the 2000s and early 2010s making the crew cut hit again. 

Unlike the very short severe and tight army cuts of today, modern crew cuts are slightly longer on top with more volume and are combined with high contrast taper on the back/sides. This breath of fresh air makes the style not look outdated compared to contemporary video games.

Today’s man prefers the crew cut as it retains the macho, neat appearance yet remains loud in its style. This way it will remain a classic look for men for many generations to come; the famous fade haircut.

How to Get Authentic Crew Cut?

Getting that famous US Navy-style crew cut requires a bit of work. Here is a step-by-step guide to cutting one:  

Prep the Hair 

• Begin with hair that is just a little longer, at least 2-4 inches.
• Let the hair get wet so that the comb is passed straight and in a flat direction.
• Optionally, apply a small quantity of pomade for the skin to be tamed even more.

Buzz the Sides and Back

• Start with hair clippers which do not have any guard attached to them first
• They had their head cleanly shaven cutting right from the nape of the neck up to the crown.
• The hair on the sides is cut very short and fades gradually at the temporal area. 

Trim the Top

• Place a #2 or #3 clipper blade guard  
• There are a couple of ways to achieve this, namely, evenly cutting the top hair down to about 1⁄4 inch.
• Avoid tapering hair at the frontal area to be free from getting a curly forehead area.

Detail and Finish

• Comb-overs should not be used instead, this clipper-over comb technique should be used when dealing with edges for fades.
• Thinning of the line at the back of the neck should be done to reduce thickness by use of a straight razor
• Comb for luster with hair tonic for keeping.

It should leave the hair all over not very long and the back/side fades should be nearly smooth to draw a lot of attention to the very high flat top.

Check Out: Navy Classic Crew Cut: The best low-maintenance hairstyle.

Maintaining Your Crew Cut  

Crew-cut hairstyle needs effort as it grows out fast. Here is how to keep it looking sharp:

• Shave for 2-3 weeks where the lengths should also be maintained for symmetry.
• Apply a little pomade or hair wax while styling so that the hair grows flat  
• Expect to buzz the back/sides weekly more often to maintain the fade
• Shave the surrounding area around the ears and neck to clean the skin line with the razor.
• After taking a bath, ensure that you apply some hair tonic to ensure that the scalp area is active

The only way to keep that authentic crew cut shape is to get a trim from the barber services as often as possible. Otherwise, growing it too much erases the defined contrast which makes this particular icon well, iconic. It is advisable to plan for allocating regular time and money to spend on maintaining.

More Work Options for Barbers

The crew cut has evolved into a few modern variations while keeping its trademark short sides and flat top:

• Ivy League: Very similar to the military cut although it is cut slightly longer, flowing out at the top and producing more volume.
• Buzz Cut: Even shorter overall haircut taken down to 1⁄8 inch length all over the head.  
• Flat Top: Standing out with additional height at the top and a more boxy look, the geometrical flat top crew cut. The key seems to be lots of pomade or wax to gel the hair into the now-classic retro shape.  
• Faded Crew Cut:  Another taper fade yet this is a very high contrast so there is a lot of definition at the back/sides over the extremely smooth and short on top look. It is the most striking of all the versions.
• Short Caesar Cut: This is a normal Caesar haircut, but should be worn with hair that is 2-3 inches up top with a semi-short fade on the sides for African American hair.

The crew cut is more of an attitude hence one is free to bring parts of it and change the rest to suit his outlook. As for such or identical changes, one could mix with up the edge design or the top shape, for instance, maintaining the military length contrasts.

Crew Cut Inspiration

Check out these awesome crew cut hairstyle examples to inspire your next look:

• Military Crew: Tight reproduction of the authentic US Navy look from the 40s and 50s with a shaved neckline in that distinct ‘square’ finish and flat on top.  
• Textured Ivy League: Increased volume at the top together with some layering to the crown.
• Cool Faded Crew: The high bald taper fades with the rounded temple and barely textured top height with great texture. 
• Rugged Buzz Cut: Low maintenance harsh with 1⁄8 inch of hair left on the head to give it a tough look.   
• Retro Flat Top: Extreme square shape on top like within images captured in the past. It needs a special precision cutting technique to accomplish this one!  

Short Caesar top with a sharp high fade on the sides/back – perfect for African American hair type. The curved edge line is a great kicker as well.

Conclusion: Crew Cut: An Enduring Style  

Dating back to the early 19th century, the crew cut remains one of the most popular hair stylings that has continued to face among men. Though it was an industrial tool of need in naval services, its military straight sides and a boxy flat top entered mainstream society. It symbolizes decency, honor, purpose, and order in one’s existence.

Never a complete thing of the past even through the lengths of longer hair, the crew cut is famous today for its machismo and contrasting shades. 

Guys can appreciate either military influence or postwar rebellion by simply tight or loose tops and creative taper cutting off the crew cut. Both are risky fade haircuts that need the courage to wear well and look fabulous to an individual.

But when the professionals have gotten their hands on it and pruned it right, there can be few men’s haircuts that look as timeless as the now-venerated crew cut.

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