Why the Straight Part Is Making a Comeback in Barbershops
The straight part — a clean, defined line combed or cut into the hair to separate the longer top from the shorter sides — was the dominant hairstyle architecture from the 1920s through the 1960s before falling to the casual, undivided styles of subsequent decades. Its return to barbershops worldwide is driven not by nostalgia but by its remarkable versatility and the structural clarity it brings to modern haircuts.
A hard part — where the barber uses clippers to shave a defined line into the hair — provides the most dramatic version of this style. It creates an unmistakable geometric element that anchors the hairstyle with architectural precision. This technique works particularly well with high fades and undercuts, where the contrast between long top and short sides benefits from a clean boundary.
The soft part — created by combing rather than cutting — offers a more natural interpretation that works across professional and casual settings. Comb product through damp hair, find your natural part line by pushing hair forward and seeing where it naturally falls, and use a fine-toothed comb to establish the line. The soft part grows in seamlessly between barber visits, avoiding the maintenance demands of a hard part.
The style's resurgence is partly driven by the television phenomenon of period dramas — Peaky Blinders, Boardwalk Empire, and Mad Men all featured meticulously parted hairstyles that translated directly from screen to barbershop chairs. But its persistence beyond that trend cycle indicates genuine functional appeal: the straight part works with virtually every face shape and hair type.
Modern interpretations combine the straight part with contemporary techniques. A textured top with a defined part blends traditional structure with current texture trends. A side part with a skin fade provides a clean, military-inspired look that reads as sharp in boardrooms and casual enough for weekends. The part adapts to the hair around it rather than dictating a single aesthetic.
Product choice supports the part's longevity through the day. A medium-hold pomade like Layrite Original Pomade maintains the part's definition while allowing the top to retain natural movement. For stronger hold in humid conditions, Reuzel Blue Strong Hold Water Soluble Pomade keeps the part razor-sharp from morning to evening. Part styling techniques at https://www.artofmanliness.com/style/grooming/get-classic-side-part-hairstyle/
The straight part endures because it solves a fundamental styling problem — organising the hair into a coherent structure that flatters rather than obscures the face. Whether hard-cut or combed, it provides the architectural foundation that transforms a collection of hair into a deliberate hairstyle. Ask your barber to establish one at your next visit and maintain it daily with a comb and medium-hold product.
