You’ve seen it. That specific silhouette—shorn tight on the ears but cascading down the neck—is everywhere lately. Some call it a mullet, others call it a "shullet" or a wolf cut, but the short side long back hairstyles trend is effectively the biggest hair pivot of the mid-2020s. It’s a polarizing look. People either love the rebellion of it or they absolutely loathe the messy vibe. Honestly, it doesn't really matter which side you’re on because the numbers don’t lie. According to salon booking data from platforms like Fresha, requests for "tapered mullets" and "modern shags" have spiked by over 40% since 2023.
It’s a vibe shift.
For years, we were trapped in the land of the "High and Tight" or the "Corporate Fade." Those cuts are fine, sure. They’re safe. But they lack soul. They’re predictable. The return of the long back is basically a middle finger to the polished, sanitized aesthetic of the 2010s. You’re seeing it on NBA tunnels, at Coachella, and even in high-end fashion editorials for brands like Saint Laurent. It’s messy, it’s intentional, and it’s surprisingly versatile if you actually know what you’re doing with a bottle of sea salt spray.
The Modern Mullet vs. The 80s Disaster
Most people hear "short side long back" and immediately think of Joe Dirt or Billy Ray Cyrus. That’s a mistake. We aren't doing the "Kentucky Waterfall" anymore. The 1980s version was often characterized by a very harsh, straight line between the buzz cut on the side and the long, thin stragglers in the back. It looked accidental. Today’s short side long back hairstyles are all about the transition.
Think about the "Euro-Mullet" or the "South Side Fade." These styles use a burst fade around the ear. This creates a curved aesthetic that blends the short sides into the back length rather than having a hard disconnect. Stylists like Sally Hershberger—who famously gave Miley Cyrus the modern mullet that restarted this whole craze—emphasize texture over length. It’s not about how long it is in the back; it’s about how much movement the hair has. If your hair is just hanging there like a wet curtain, you’ve failed. You need layers. You need weight removal.
The goal is a silhouette that looks good from the profile. That’s the secret. When someone looks at you from the side, they should see a sharp, clean temple area that gradually explodes into a textured mane at the nape. It creates a visual weight that balances out your jawline. If you have a rounder face, this is actually a godsend. By keeping the sides tight, you avoid adding width to your head, while the length in the back elongates the neck. It’s basically a natural contour for your skull.
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Why the Shullet and Wolf Cut Are Winning
We have to talk about the "Shullet." It’s a hybrid. It’s what happens when a shag and a mullet have a baby. It’s less aggressive than a traditional mullet because the sides aren't buzzed to the skin. Instead, they’re kept short but feathered. This is the entry-level version of the short side long back hairstyles family. It’s huge in the "Cool Girl" aesthetic right now, popularized by people like Billie Eilish or Debby Ryan.
Then there’s the Wolf Cut.
This one is heavy on the volume. It’s basically a haircut that requires you to own a blow dryer. If you’re lazy, don't get a wolf cut. It relies on short, choppy layers on the top and sides that blend into a longer back. It’s very 70s rockstar—think Mick Jagger or David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust era, but filtered through a TikTok lens. The reason it works is that it’s gender-neutral. It looks just as good on a guy in a band as it does on a fashion student in Brooklyn.
One thing people get wrong is the maintenance. They think "Oh, it’s a messy look, I don't have to do anything." Wrong. So wrong. To keep the sides looking intentional, you usually need a trim every 3 to 4 weeks. If the sides get too "shaggy," you lose the shape, and then you just look like you forgot to get a haircut for six months. You have to keep that contrast sharp. That’s where the "style" lives—in the contrast between the groomed sides and the wild back.
How to Ask Your Stylist for the Right Length
Walking into a barbershop and saying "I want a mullet" is a gamble. You might walk out looking like a 1970s porn star or a high-fashion model, and there is a very thin line between those two outcomes. You need to use specific language.
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First, talk about the "Temple Fade." If you want a more aggressive look, ask for a skin fade on the sides that "bursts" behind the ear. This leaves the hair behind the ear long. If you want something more subtle, ask for a "tapered side" with shears, not clippers. This keeps some softness.
Second, discuss the "Nape Shape." Do you want the back to be a "V" shape, a "U" shape, or just a blunt horizontal line? A "V" shape is very aggressive and modern. A "U" shape is more natural and follows the growth pattern of your hair. Most experts suggest the "U" shape for first-timers because it’s easier to grow out if you end up hating it.
Third, the "Top-to-Back Connection." This is where most haircuts fail. If the hair on the top of your head is 2 inches long and the hair in the back is 8 inches long with no transition, you’re going to look like you have a tail. You need "bridging layers." These are layers that gradually increase in length from the crown down to the nape. It creates a slope. It makes the short side long back hairstyles look cohesive.
Products That Actually Make It Work
Let’s be real: your hair probably doesn't naturally do that cool, piecey thing you see on Instagram. Most of those photos are the result of about four different products and a lot of "scrunching."
- Sea Salt Spray: This is non-negotiable. It adds the "grit." Spray it on damp hair and let it air dry. It makes the back of the hair look lived-in rather than flat.
- Matte Clay: Use this for the sides. You want the sides to stay down and look "tight." A tiny bit of clay prevents the short hairs from sticking out like a tennis ball.
- Texture Powder: If you have fine hair, this is the holy grail. You puff it into the roots at the back to give it height. Without it, the "long back" part of your short side long back hairstyle will just look limp and sad.
- Leave-in Conditioner: Because you’re growing the back out, those ends are going to get dry. If they get frizzy, the whole "edgy" vibe turns into "unkempt" vibe very quickly.
The Cultural Impact: From Punk to Mainstream
It’s interesting to see how this look has shifted. In the 70s and 80s, the mullet was a working-class staple. It was "business in the front, party in the back." Then it became a joke. For two decades, it was the ultimate fashion faux pas.
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But fashion is cyclical. The "ugly-cool" aesthetic has taken over. We’re seeing a rejection of "perfection." When everything is filtered and AI-generated to look flawless, humans gravitate toward things that look a little bit "off" or "raw." The short side long back hairstyles fit this perfectly. It’s an asymmetrical look in a world obsessed with symmetry.
It’s also a practical cut for the post-pandemic world. Many people started growing their hair out during lockdowns and realized they liked the length but hated the heat and weight of a full head of long hair. Shaving the sides provides a cooling effect and reduces the daily styling time, while the back keeps the "long hair" identity. It’s a compromise that actually looks like a statement.
Avoiding the "Rat Tail" Pitfall
There is a huge risk here. If you don't have enough density in the back, you end up with a rat tail. This is the nightmare scenario. If your hair is thinning or very fine, you have to be careful. You can't go too long. A "short" long back is often better than a "long" long back.
If you can see through the hair at the back to your neck, it’s too thin. You need to cut it shorter to where the hair is still dense. A thick, 3-inch long back looks significantly better than a wispy, 6-inch long back. Quality over quantity. Always.
Also, consider your hair type. Curls change the game. A "curly mullet" or "curly wolf cut" is arguably the best version of this trend. The natural volume of the curls prevents the back from looking flat, and the short sides keep the curls from "mushrooming" out around the ears. If you have straight hair, you’re going to have to work harder with tools—maybe even a small curling iron or a crimper—to get that same level of interest.
Taking the Plunge: Your Action Plan
If you’re ready to try one of these short side long back hairstyles, don't just wing it.
- Save Photos: Find people with your specific hair texture. If you have pin-straight hair, don't show your barber a photo of a guy with 3C curls. It won't work.
- Consult First: Ask the stylist, "Does my head shape work for this?" If you have a very prominent occipital bone (the bump on the back of your head), a mullet can actually highlight it in a weird way.
- Commit to the Sides: The biggest mistake is being "scared" and leaving the sides too long. If the sides are just "medium," the back just looks like you missed a spot. Go short on the sides. The contrast is what makes it a "style" and not a mistake.
- Invest in a Mirror: You need a handheld mirror to check the back. You are now a person with "back hair" (the good kind). You need to make sure it isn't tangling or flipping in a weird direction before you leave the house.
The beauty of the short side long back look is that it’s inherently customizable. You can go full punk with a mohawk-inspired back, or you can go "soft-boy" with a flowy, layered nape. It’s the most "you" a haircut can get because there are no strict rules. Just keep the sides tight, the back textured, and the confidence high. It’s only hair; it grows back, but the feeling of having a truly unique silhouette is worth the risk of a few weird looks from your traditionalist uncle at Thanksgiving.