Low Taper Fade Side Part: 12 Smart Styles for Work & Weekends

The side part is the most dependable haircut in a man's repertoire. It looks smart in an office, appropriate at a wedding and relaxed on a weekend when you loosen it up. With a low taper fade underneath, the classic side part gets a cleaner, more modern outline while keeping its gentlemanly character.

Quick Facts

How to Find Your Natural Part

Your part should follow how your hair naturally falls:

1. Wash and towel-dry your hair.
2. Comb it straight back.
3. Push it gently forward with your palm.
4. Notice where it splits naturally. That is your natural part line.

Most people part above the outer corner of one eye. Going with your natural part makes styling easier and longer lasting.

12 Best Low Taper Fade Side Part Styles

1. Classic Side Part

Neat line, hair combed across, medium shine. Timeless.

2. Textured Side Part

Combed with fingers and matte paste; softer and more casual.

3. Hard Part (Shaved Line)

A thin line shaved along the part. Sharp and defined, but takes weeks to grow out if you change your mind.

4. Side Part with Volume

Lifted at the front before combing across, like a soft quiff. See quiff.

5. Deep Side Part

The part sits lower on the head, creating a dramatic sweep.

6. Short Side Part

2 inches on top; neat and easy for work. See for work.

7. Long Side Part

4 inches or more, swept across with movement.

8. Side Part Comb Over

Softer, with more volume and less defined parting. See comb over.

9. Wavy Side Part

Waves flow naturally away from the part. See wavy hair.

10. Curly Side Part

Loose curls separated with a soft part. See curly hair.

11. Side Part with a Beard

Polished and mature. See with beard.

12. Slick Side Part

Combed and shiny for formal events. See slick back.

How to Ask Your Barber

"Low taper fade, half guard at the bottom, sides at a #3. On top, about 3 inches for a side part on the [left/right], following my natural part. [Optional: add a hard part.] Keep it slightly longer at the front."

How to Style a Side Part

1. Towel-dry to damp.
2. Comb the part with the edge of a comb along your natural line.
3. Blow-dry: the smaller side down and back, the larger side up and across.
4. Apply product: paste or cream for a natural look, pomade for shine.
5. Comb into place, then lightly ruffle with fingers if you want a softer look.

See our products guide.

Hard Part: Pros and Cons

Pros: sharp, distinctive, stays defined even without styling. Cons: shows regrowth quickly; can emphasize thin hair; commits you to one part for several weeks.

If you have thin hair, skip the hard part.

Side Part Etiquette: Which Side and Why

There is no strict rule, but a few patterns help:

• Follow your natural part (see the method above). Fighting your growth pattern means the part will fall apart by midday.
• Your crown swirl can guide you. If your crown swirls clockwise, many people find a left part sits better; counter-clockwise often suits a right part. This is a tendency, not a rule, so test both.
• Face asymmetry. If one side of your face looks stronger in photos, parting so the hair sweeps toward the other side can balance it.

Side Part Lengths at a Glance

The Side Part for Different Hair Types

Straight hair holds a crisp part with almost no effort. Wavy hair creates a softer, more relaxed version; use a cream rather than a strong pomade. Fine hair works best with a short side part and no shaved line. Coarse or thick hair benefits from blow-drying the part into place so it does not spring up.

Side Part Mistakes

• Parting too high. A part near the top of the head looks like a center part gone wrong. Aim for the outer corner of your eyebrow.
• Flat sides of the top. Lift the larger side slightly at the roots for a natural shape.
• Too much shine. In a modern office, natural or low-shine finishes look current.