Shag haircut returns in modern form

A resurgence of the men's shag haircut, characterized by layered lengths and natural texture, has been observed among celebrities and athletes. This style, which originated in the 1970s and carried countercultural codes of British rock, has seen a modern evolution with less radical features, such as blended layers and natural texture taking precedence.

Celebrities adopt the new shag look

Carlos Alcaraz, a tennis player, appeared at the Shanghai Masters 1000 with a curly version of the shag haircut, featuring lengths pushed back. Earlier, at Wimbledon, Andrew Garfield, an actor, was seen with a longer, airy, and disheveled mane, blending the look of an English poet with a resting rock star.

Modern shag differs from previous trends

The trend appears to be moving away from the buzz cuts favored by figures like Erling Haaland and Connor Storrie. The modern shag is described as a mid-length layered haircut that lightens the mass without sacrificing movement, with ends soft enough to avoid the salon effect.

Stylists describe the new shag style

Andrew Garfield's barber, Joey Scandizzo, named this look the "modern maverick shag." His stylist, Lucy Halperin, summarized the objective as "tamed but untamed." Tom Holland, during the promotion of The Odyssey, adopted a longer and curly hairstyle, with his barber working on a longer top, shorter sides, and a slightly shortened neck, allowing the curls to take over.

Variations of the shag haircut emerge

Jacob Elordi has cultivated a capillary nonchalance with lengths flirting with the mullet and waves left to their own devices. Lucas Bravo, an actor from Emily In Paris, showcased a version of the shag at Cannes in May 2026, with a length that brushed the neck, a fringe sweeping the forehead, and strands of honey color. This version is described as the most seventies and sunny version of this mid-length men's haircut, showing that the shag does not require tight curls or a rock star mane.

How to achieve the shag haircut

For those interested in trying the shag, one rule remains: ask for a layered cut with scissors, sufficiently worked to give movement, but without excessively thinning the ends. A salt spray or a light cream can highlight the texture; the rest belongs to the hair.