What is a French Crop?
A French Crop is a textured cropped style with a long fringe. The classic French Crop features a short, tapered back and sides. The top of the style is slightly longer at the top with a fringe that falls straight across the forehead. The French Crop’s short back and sides are polished, while the longer top gives you plenty of styling options. The short sides define the jawline and cheekbones for a more angular, masculine look. The longer top allows you to choose a style that flatters any face shape.
The French Crop dates back to the early 20th century. Due to its practicality, it was popular among military men in 1920s Europe. It caught on with French artists and intellectuals and became more popular. The cut was revived by British Mods in the 1960s, and then it became popular again in the 1990s. The style has recently become popular after a version of the French Crop was worn by characters on the television show Peaky Blinders.
How to Ask for a French Crop
Ask your barber or hairstylist for a French Crop or textured crop. The popularity of this cut means that most barbers and hairstylists will recognize the name French Crop. However, some may refer to the style as a textured crop. If they’re still unsure of what you want, ask them to use clippers with a short guard on the back and sides with a longer top. Due to the adaptability of this style, be specific about your preferred length for the top or the back and sides. For example, you can ask for the back and side to be buzzed and the top a few inches longer. It’s always a good idea to take a picture with you to show your barber a picture of exactly what you want. Let them know whether you want a more textured cut or a sleeker style. Head back to the barber shop for trims every 2-4 weeks to maintain the style.
How to Style a French Crop
Use styling products for texture and hold. Wash your hair using shampoo and conditioner designed for your hair type to help keep your hair healthy and looking its best. Experiment with different styling products when styling your hair to get the texture and hold you want. Try serums to smooth frizzy hair or slick the top of your hair back. Hair gels are also good for sleek looks because they have a stronger hold. Hair wax, pomade, or hair clay to add texture and flexible hold for more tousled styles. Pomade usually has a shiny finish, while waxes and clays are more matte. Use these products sparingly, as they can weigh down your hair when overused.
Try styling tools for a more finished look. While the French Crop is a wash-an-go cut, use a blow dryer for more control over your style. French Crops are usually styled pushed forward, but the fringe is sometimes swept to the side. A blow dryer can help point your hair in the right direction. Use a flat iron if you have curly or wavy hair and want a sleeker look.
French Crop Styles
Classic French Crop A Classic French Crop features a short back and sides that fade up to the slightly longer top. The fringe is brushed forward and falls straight across your forehead. This is the basic style most barbers will have in mind when you ask for a French Crop or textured crop. This style is also called a Mid-Fade French Crop or Tapered French Crop.
French Crop Mullet A French Crop Mullet combines elements of the French Crop and the Mullet. The cut is exactly like the Classic French Crop on the top and sides, but the back is left longer to get a Mullet's traditional “business up front & party in the back” look. Tell your barber you want a French Crop, but lightly taper into a longer back like a Mullet that gradually blends into the top.
French Crop Fauxhawk A French Crop Fauxhawk leaves the top longer than a French Crop and the sides longer than a traditional Mohawk. Use wax or pomade to style the top up and toward the center like a Mohawk. Ask your barber for a French Crop with a longer top to style into a Fauxhawk.
High-Fade French Crop A High-Fade French Crop is more dramatic than the Low-Fade version. While the low fade starts at the tops of your ears, the high fade begins at your forehead. Ask for a short back and sides that start the fade to the longer hair on top at your forehead level.
Low-Fade French Crop This French Crop style features a low fade that begins transitioning from short to long hair lower on your head, usually close to the tops of your ears. This fade works well if you want a longer top that doesn’t appear disconnected. Tell your barber you want a French Crop with a fade that starts at the top of your ears. A temp fade is similar to a low fade, but the fade is slightly higher, starting at the temples instead of the top of the ears.
Messy French Crop The Messy French Crop dials up the texture with light layering or razored ends to give it more texture and movement. This is flattering for sharper facial features, like strong cheekbones and jawlines. Ask your barber for a French Crop with extra texture.
Long French Crop A Long French Crop has longer hair on the top. The back and sides are shorter but not as short as a classic skin fade. This cut is a neater version of what it looks like when you had a French Crop and let grow out. Tell your barber you want a French Crop that’s longer on top and tapered at the sides and back.
Side-Swept French Crop For this French Crop, the fringe is left slightly longer and pushed to the side for a more casual look. These bangs look great on rounder face shapes, making them appear more chiseled. Ask your barber to leave the fringe long so you can style them to the side.
Angular French Crop This type of French Crop is cut with the fringe at an angle or into a point at the center of the forehead. They’re great for square faces because they draw the eye to the center of your face. Ask for the top and front of your hair to be cut at an angle.
French Crop Quiff The quiffed bang is pushed up from the forehead and then back to make a “wall” of hair. They’re flattering for round face shapes because they make them appear longer. This style may require styling with a blow dryer and hair product. Tell your barber you want a French Crop with a quiffed fringe.
Undercut French Crop This version of the French Crop features a longer top with closely cut or buzzed back and sides. The length of the top can vary depending on whether you like longer or shorter hair. Tell your barber you want a French Crop with an undercut instead of a fade.
Disconnected French Crop A disconnected style is an undercut that is drastically shorter than the top of the hair with little to no blending between the lengths, giving it an edgier look. In some cases, there’s a sharp line of demarcation between the longer top and the shorter back and sides. Ask your barber for a French Crop without tapering or fading.
French Crop with a Skin FadeThis French Crop features a more drastic fade that tapers down to bare skin at the bottom. A skin fade is cut very close to the scalp near your hairline on the sides of your head and at the nape, and then the hair very gradually gets longer as you move toward the crown. Tell your barber you want a French Crop that fades all the way down to the skin. Drop fades are similar to skin fades, but the hair is cut so the fade appears to dip and the front and back of your head instead of being symmetrical all the way around.
French Crop FAQs
Does a French Crop suit everyone? With a few tweaks, the French Crop looks good on everyone. It’s a classic style that can look trendy and sophisticated, making it popular throughout the 20th century and into the 21st.
What’s the difference between a Caesar Cut and a French Crop? The Caesar Cut usually has a shorter fringe than the French Crop. The Caesar Cut gets its name from Julius Caesar and is characterized by its short length, with the top brushed forward. Men have recently become interested in cutting their hair in a Ceasar Cut when they want a timeless, low-maintenance haircut.
How is a French Crop different than a Crew Cut? The main difference between a French Crop and a Crew Cut is length. A Crew Cut is much shorter and closer to a Buzz Cut than a French Crop. The Crew Cut offers a sharp look and requires minimal effort. Crew Cuts are often worn in the military and are said to have inspired the French Crop.
Is French Crop good for thinning hair? This style is especially good for men with receding hairlines since the fringe is brushed over the forehead. It also allows longer pieces to cover thinning spots. The flexibility of the cut allows the barber to adjust for the most coverage.
Comments
0 comment