The Mod Cut: 23 Trendy Hairstyle Ideas For Modern Men

The mod cut, a retro style with contemporary flair, is a trendy choice for men seeking an effortlessly cool, confident and rebellious look that exudes personality and will turn heads. This textured, layered and choppy style blends cultural sophistication with unfiltered creative expression to achieve the perfect aesthetic for artists, non-conformists and trendsetters.

From casually tousled to elegantly structured, the modern mod men’s hairstyle embraces versatility, edge and vintage charm all at once, making it a popular request in barbershops and salons.

In this guide, we’ll share our favorite examples of stylish mod haircuts for men that will inspire you to experiment with the trend. These photos will allow you to visualize the cut, bring a reference to your barber, and make it easy to communicate the look you want, from the design of your fringe to the length of your sideburns.

What Is A Mod Cut?

The mod cut is an edgy, stylish men’s hairstyle characterized by textured longer hair on top, the sides and back with a thick fringe, often featuring wispy volume and natural flow for a messy, casual finish. It was popularized in London in the 1960s by young musicians and fashionistos who called themselves “Modernists” and were influenced by the emerging fashion and music trends of the era.

This retro-inspired style is youthful and adaptable, making it suitable for various face shapes, but particularly if you have an oval or square.

To get the mod, ask your barber for short to medium-length layers, emphasizing extra length in the back and bangs, and around the sideburns. For the perfect finish, we recommend bringing a picture example of your favorite variation to your next appointment because it allows your stylist to discuss the details and confirm your preferences.

Trending Men’s Mod Haircuts

Stylish Long Mod

A flowy, attractive long mod is a trendy men’s haircut that combines elements from the ’60s with a light, modern touch. Thick waves flow over the forehead from the crown, and ample layers at the sides and back give the hair a lighthearted yet edgy aura. The flirty long tresses at the back gently kiss the collar, framing the face and emphasizing masculine features.

Classy Mod with Beard

More contemporary and low-maintenance, this classy mod with a beard boasts longer layers on top and shorter ones at the back and sides, resulting in a polished finish. A thick fringe landing just above the brow complements a beard fuller in the goatee area than the cheek and jaw.

Short Mod Cut

A short mod cut is versatile and easy, taking the vintage style to the next level with a thick fringe and textured layers. The carefully styled, side-swept bangs produce a blunt, arced edge framing the brow. Jagged sideburns and a touch of curl at the nape add a fun, charming finish to the look.

Textured Mod

An understated textured mod is charming and sexy for guys who prefer a head-turning style with unique flair. The short, choppy layers flowing forward from the crown and back are the foundation of the cut, and a thick, blunt fringe serves as a contrasting element. A matte texturizing pomade is crucial to achieving the textured look, and a few carefully placed highlights can amplify it further.

Modern Mod

A modern mod is an evolved variation of the classic cut, exemplifying Britpop culture’s numerous messy layers. The voluminous and whimsical waves stand tall along the top and crown while long, thick sideburns frame the ear at the sides. Pair the look with a mid-length fringe and goatee for an iconic attention-grabbing style.

Classic 60s Mod Cut

The classic 60s mod cut features shorter hair at the back and sides, longer hair along the top, and fringe that reaches the brow. This timeless variation is defined by the collar-length hair at the nape, the shorter tresses at the ear and the tousled top, bringing height and dimension. Try sweeping the fringe off to each side or parting down the middle for a flirty look.

Short, Choppy Mod with Beard

A simple and short, choppy mod with a beard embraces the significant elements associated with a mod but features a more refined and classy finish. This version works well with fine hair since it leans more on shape than height and texture. Ask a stylist for a long, scissored cut with subtle layers, a little extra length at the sideburns, and a mid-length fringe.

Long, Shaggy Mod

A long, shaggy mod reflects the punk rock culture more than British pop, with its chunky, piecey look. All the hair flows forward from the crown, forming a thick fringe that reaches the brow. The shorter layers at the sides still cover the ears, and the longer layers at the back barely brush the shoulders. Stylists may use a razor to achieve the ragged ends, a technique that adds character.

Rocker Mod Cut

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

Messy and Textured

A messy and textured mod is a favorite due to its low maintenance and easy-to-style nature. The unique feathery texture is easy to achieve with razored layers and texturizing styling wax. The short sideburns end abruptly at the top of the earlobe, creating the signature shape.

Mod with Angular Fringe with Beard

A structured mod with angular fringe and a beard is a fun twist on the iconic cut, combining vintage and modern elements that command attention. Rather than a thick fringe covering the entire forehead, the fringe flows forward with its longest point, even with the bridge of the nose. Keeping the hair shorter along the sides and back and adding a full, short beard serves to frame the face, resulting in a handsome finish.

Mod with Long Sideburns

A shapely mod with long sideburns is versatile enough for any function or event, whether poker night with the guys or standing up as best man in a wedding. The back, sides, and fringe are pretty short for a mod, making the sideburns appear fuller and longer. Tousling the top lends a touch of height and volume, and a full mustache balances the style.

Edgy and Choppy

An edgy and choppy mod is an excellent choice for guys with thick, stick-straight hair. Success relies on the hair’s natural texture and a professional stylist’s skill. A spiky fringe almost reaches the brow, and tousled layers on top mimic the choppiness. Modest sideburns sweep forward across the cheekbone, framing the eyes.

Longer and Tousled

A longer and tousled mod features layers that can add buoyancy and lift fine hair. The hair is longest at and near the crown but sweeps forward over the forehead in a mid-length fringe. The sides are shorter around the ears, and ample thickness at the nape complements the volume on top. Styling is relatively simple: apply some texturizing spray with sea salt and tousle, and allow the hair to dry before spritzing with a flexible hair spray.

Short, Textured, and Messy 90s Mod

A short, textured, and messy 90s mod is traditional in the front but boasts much shorter hair at the back and sides. The playful, glamorous result accentuates masculine features, making the jawline and cheekbones more chiseled. The sexy cut suits thick waves or curls but can be adapted for most hair types.

Mod with Attitude

A mod with attitude embraces rebellion and mischief while exuding confidence. Skilled stylists can quickly adapt the mod to curls by creating long sideburns and curly fringe, shorter hair at the sides, and longer hair at the nape. To style the look at home, apply a curl-boosting mousse to damp hair, then scrunch and allow to dry – or blow dry with a diffuser.

Mod Mullet

A mod mullet is a creative cut with the same voluminous high layers as a mod on top but shorter hair at the sides and back. The style’s hallmarks are shorter, thinner sideburns and a much shorter fringe. This look suits a wide range of hair types, but wavy hair is essential for creating the slightly messy texture associated with a mod cut.

Indie Mod

The indie mod takes the cut back to its roots in the 1960s, exuding sophistication with a touch of edgy rebellion. Unlike a traditional mod, this cut features more pronounced 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 voluminous top and wispy fringe.

Curly Mod

A curly mod makes the most of natural curls, allowing for low-stress, no-fuss styling at home. The cut lacks the distinct layers of its more traditional counterpart, but the long fringe, thick sideburns and nape, and shorter hair around the ears mimic the mod structure. Healthy hair, curl cream, and a 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, resulting in a uniform, retro-inspired style. A long, side-swept fringe blends into the thick sideburns, lending an edgy, sexy vibe. The shorter hair around the ears provides the cut with its shape, and the longer hair at the nape balances the look.

Wolfy Mod Cut

A wolfy mod cut is a quirky conglomeration of numerous styles. The wolf cut combines a few elements of a mullet with the structure of a retro shag. To convert the style into a low-key mod cut, stylists create ample layers, trim the hair shorter around the ears, and leave a long, full fringe. Combining various textures – feathery ends at the nape and blunt edges around the face – results in a cohesive, harmonious style.

Piecey Mod

A piecey mod embraces precision and contrasting textures, producing a rebellious and daring cut. The spiky hair along the top and at the back plays on the structure of a mohawk, making the stick-straight, comb-textured hair at the fringe and sideburns appear more distinct. It requires some effort in styling but will definitely turn heads.

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 illusion of volume, and the shorter hair at the sides and back further amplifies the effect. A thick, tousled fringe draws attention, while a wispy blonde mustache serves as a counterbalance, finishing the look.

How To Style The Mod Cut

Styling the mod cut involves applying a small amount of texturizing hair product with a 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 a shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair type, and be sure to use a clarifying shampoo at least once a week to remove product buildup. Regular trims are essential for maintaining 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 suits 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, allowing a matte to slightly shiny finish and a medium to firm hold. Pomades are ideal for styling sleek elements, such as a slicked-over fringe.
• Styling Clay – The best-formulated styling clays start almost solid but quickly become pliable with the heat from the hand and spread easily through hair, creating control, grit and natural texture. Clay offers little to no shine, and because it provides a strong, flexible hold, it's a popular choice for a textured or messy mod cut.
• Curl Cream – Creams are usually light and water-based, offering a natural finish with a light hold. They are ideal for maintaining the movement prevalent in wavy or curly mods.
• Mousse – Mousse starts as a foam but quickly incorporates into the hair for light hold and a natural shine. Mousse can also help provide lift and height, mainly when applied to the roots while the hair is still slightly damp. The product is best for adding volume and body, making it a staple among men with fine hair.

Blow Dry

After applying the correct amount of the desired product, the next step involves blow-drying the hair to a sleek finish, typically while using a round brush. Lift the hair and aim the warm air directly at the roots for an exceptional lift, or use a non-vented paddle brush to accentuate sleeker mod cuts.

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

Shape The Style

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

Apply A Finishing Product

For windblown or textured looks, apply a texturizing spray containing clay or sea salt at the roots of the hair, then use the 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 and mod cut is the mullet features shorter hair in the front and sides with extra length in the back, while the mod generally requires a longer fringe and some emphasis on the sides with pointed sideburns.

Generally, professional stylists and barbers say that, although the focal point of the mod men’s hairstyle is the sideburns and heavy bangs, the mullet’s signature look stems from the long back and natural flow.