Some made-to-measure suits fit to the millimetre and still look off in photographs, and the cause sits a few centimetres above the collar: the hair. A suit is a disciplined garment. Unruly hair or too much gel both cost it its polished look. For men's hairstyles to wear with a suit, the principle is short: neat at the sides, a clear line at the front, and not touching the collar. The five styles below are chosen by face shape, hair thickness and occasion.
Quick answer
The five men's hairstyles that go with a suit are the side part (off-centre parting), slick back (swept straight back), quiff (swept up at the front), textured crop (short hair with texture) and a neat crew cut. For everyday work choose the side part or textured crop; for evening events and tuxedos choose the slick back.
1. Side part: the classic style for the office
The hair is parted to one side along a straight combed parting, with the top kept about 4–6 cm long and the sides and nape tapered neatly. Work in a thin layer of pomade or wax so the hair stays put with a faint sheen. An off-centre parting breaks up the rigid symmetry of the face, so this style suits most face shapes; a round face should part high and at a slight angle so the face looks longer.
The side part goes well with a single-breasted suit with notch lapels in meetings, interviews and partner meetings. Note: part in the direction of your hair's natural whorl; against the whorl, by afternoon the hair will spring up and the parting will drift off completely.
2. Slick back: swept back for evening events and high foreheads
All the hair is swept back, revealing the forehead, with the sides cut neatly. The top needs to be 5–6 cm or longer to comb back without standing up. Use a glossy pomade for a classic look or a matte wax for a modern one. This style works with suits with large lapels such as the black peak-lapel suit, double-breasted suits or a tuxedo for an evening party, since both the hairstyle and the suit have decisive lines.
Slick back suits men with a high forehead and an even hairline. If your hair is thin or your scalp shows, consider another style, or use a matte wax to make the hair look thicker. In Saigon's heat, a pea-sized amount of wax is enough; use more and within two hours the hair has gone limp and matted.
3. Quiff: swept up at the front for extra height
The fringe is longer than the rest (about 6–8 cm), blow-dried, then swept upward and lightly combed back; the sides are cut short or faded. A quiff adds height to the crown, so this style suits round or short faces, and young men in slim-fit suits at cocktail parties and launch events.
With a long face, keep the quiff low and avoid building it high, which would lengthen the face further. The secret is to blow-dry the hair in the direction you will comb it before applying wax; apply wax to wet hair alone and the quiff falls flat after half a day. A common mistake is building it too high for the suit: a serious suit with showy hair makes the two pull in opposite directions.
4. Textured crop: short hair with texture, neat yet with character
The top is kept at about 2–4 cm, cut in layers so the hair forms its own volume, with a short or slightly angled fringe and a light fade at the sides. Work in a little matte wax and tousle it with your fingertips; don't comb it glossy. This style takes little time, handles the heat well and suits lightly wavy hair. It is also a familiar choice for slim-cut suits with soft shoulders and a youthful spirit.
Note: with textured hair the edges must be clean. The nape, ears and temples need to be shaved neat, otherwise the hair slides from deliberate to careless. When wearing a suit to a formal occasion like a wedding, comb the fringe neatly with a comb and tousle less.
5. Neat crew cut: close-cropped, for thin hair and little time
Hair about 1–2 cm long all round the head, slightly longer on the crown, with no need for gel. This style suits men with sparse hair, a broad forehead, or anyone who doesn't want to lose time in the morning. Short hair makes the face, jawline and shoulders stand out, so it goes very well with a black or charcoal suit: simple lines, a masculine and impeccable look.
The price of neatness is regular cutting. After about three to four weeks the edges begin to drift out of their original neat shape; leave it longer and the hair looks ragged against a clean collar. Men with round faces should leave the crown a little higher so the face looks slimmer.
Quick summary table
| Style | Best for | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Side part | Most face shapes, the office | Part along the natural whorl |
| 2. Slick back | High forehead, evenings, tuxedo | Needs hair 5–6 cm or longer, use a moderate amount of wax |
| 3. Quiff | Round or short face, young men | Keep it low for a long face, blow-dry before styling |
| 4. Textured crop | Busy men, slim-cut suits | Clean edges at the nape and ears |
| 5. Neat crew cut | Thin hair, broad forehead | Re-cut after three to four weeks |
Tips from Mon Amie's master tailors
- Hair shouldn't touch the collar. Nape hair brushing the suit collar leaves oil marks and flakes on dark cloth. Keep a gap of about one finger joint.
- Go to the barber in a shirt with a collar. A round-neck T-shirt hides the neckline, so the barber has difficulty judging how high the nape sits relative to the collar.
- Get your haircut three to five days before the event. A fresh cut looks raw; it settles into shape a few days later. For the groom, the fitting schedule of the Groom Styling service is counted back from the wedding day; arrange the haircut on the same timeline.
- The lapel sets how strong the hair should be. Peak lapels and double-breasted jackets need hair with defined lines; a single-breasted notch lapel suits softer hair.
Frequently asked questions
Which men's hairstyle looks good with a suit?
The one that fits your face shape, hair thickness and the occasion; there is no single style for everyone. For the office choose a side part or textured crop; for evening events choose a slick back. The article what hairstyle to wear with a suit lists more styles for you to compare.
Which suit style should go with which hairstyle?
A single-breasted notch-lapel suit goes with a side part or textured crop. Peak-lapel and double-breasted suits and tuxedos go with a slick back or quiff because of their decisive lines. A dark, simple suit with a neat crew cut creates a serious, tidy look.
What hairstyle goes with a Korean-style or Japanese-style suit?
Both lean toward clean cuts, soft shoulders and a youthful air, so short textured hair or a soft side part fits. Avoid hard, glossy gel, which will clash with the light spirit of the suit. The article on the characteristics of the Korean-style suit cut says more about the jacket's silhouette.
Can you wear a suit with ear-length hair?
Yes, as long as it is combed neatly back or parted, and the hair doesn't touch the collar. Use matte wax so the hair lies in place rather than left loose. On formal occasions, tie it low or sweep it fully back.
Closing thoughts
Hair is the first thing the person across from you sees, before the shoulder line you laboured over. Choose a style that suits your face and the occasion, keep the edges neat, and the suit is already halfway there. When you need to fine-tune the other half, you can book a measuring appointment at a Mon Amie showroom or try combinations first with the suit design tool.