The mullet is back, but honestly, it’s not that 1980s Billy Ray Cyrus catastrophe you’re probably picturing. People keep calling it a "comeback," but that's not quite right. It's an evolution. The high taper modern mullet has basically become the gold standard for guys who want some edge without looking like they live in a trailer park or a vintage hair metal music video. It’s sharp. It’s clean. Most importantly, it uses the high taper to bridge the gap between "corporate professional" and "weekend rebel."
The magic happens in the transition.
While a traditional mullet just lets everything hang loose, the high taper version focuses on the temple area. You’re getting skin or a very short fade starting high up near the parietal ridge. This creates a silhouette that looks like a standard buzz or crew cut from the front, but then you turn around and—boom—there’s the party. It’s a silhouette that works because it respects the shape of the human skull rather than just fighting against it with sheer volume.
Why the High Taper Changes Everything
Most people mess up the modern mullet because they don't understand where the "high" part of the taper should actually sit. If you go too low, you just have a messy haircut. If you go too high without enough length on top, you look like a mushroom. The high taper modern mullet relies on a tight fade that starts right at the temple. This creates a massive amount of contrast.
You want that contrast.
Think about celebrities like Paul Mescal or even the way Jacob Elordi has toyed with length. They aren't doing the "Joe Dirt." They are using texture. A high taper cleans up the sideburns and the hair around the ears, which are the first places to look "shaggy" or unkempt. By removing that bulk, the length in the back looks intentional, not accidental. It’s the difference between looking like you forgot to get a haircut and looking like you spent $75 at a high-end studio.
Texture is the Secret Sauce
If your hair is pin-straight, you’re going to have a hard time.
Straight hair tends to just lay flat, which makes the transition from the high taper to the back look jarring. It looks like a shelf. To make a high taper modern mullet work with straight hair, your barber needs to use thinning shears or point-cutting techniques to break up the weight. You need movement. You want it to look a bit "lived-in."
For the guys with curls or waves? You’ve won the genetic lottery for this specific look.
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The natural volume of curls provides the "lift" that the back of a mullet needs to stay off the neck and look styled. In 2024 and 2025, we saw a massive surge in the "curly mullet" trend on TikTok and Instagram, largely because the high taper prevents the sides from puffing out like a 1970s perm. It keeps the "visual weight" centered on the top and the back. This is key. If the sides are too heavy, your face looks wider. If the taper is high and tight, your face looks leaner and more angular.
Finding the Right Barber (and What to Say)
Don't just walk in and say "mullet." You'll regret it.
The word "mullet" is too broad. To one barber, it means a mohawk. To another, it means a wolf cut. To get a true high taper modern mullet, you need to be specific about the boundaries.
- Tell them you want a high taper—not a mid fade, not a low fade.
- Specify that you want the temple area cleared out but keep the bulk behind the ear.
- Ask for "disconnected" length if you want a sharper look, or "blended" if you want it to look more natural.
- Make sure they don't cut the back too short; the back should ideally hit the mid-neck to really qualify as a mullet.
Barbers like Josh Lamonaca have been preaching this for years: it’s all about the "compression" of the fade. A high taper compresses the shortest hair into a small area, allowing for a more dramatic explosion of length elsewhere. If your barber starts reaching for the #4 guard on the sides, stop them. You usually want to start with a 0 or a 1 at the very bottom of the taper to get that crisp, modern finish.
Styling This Thing Without Looking Like a Mess
Maintenance is where most guys fail. You can't just roll out of bed.
The high taper modern mullet requires product, but the right product. Avoid heavy pomades that make your hair look greasy. You aren't a 1950s greaser. You want matte clays or sea salt sprays.
Sea salt spray is honestly a cheat code. Spritz it in while your hair is damp, scrunch the back with your hands, and let it air dry. This creates that "beach" texture that makes the modern version of this cut look so effortless. If you have fine hair, a volume powder at the roots of the crown will keep the top from falling flat.
And please, for the love of all things holy, keep the neck clean. The "party in the back" shouldn't extend down to your shoulder blades in a thin, wispy rat-tail. Keep the bottom edge of the back relatively square or rounded and tidy.
The Reality of the "Professional" Mullet
Can you wear this to an office?
Yeah, actually.
Because the high taper modern mullet keeps the hair off the ears and the sides tight, it looks remarkably clean from the front. If you comb the top back or slightly to the side, it mimics a classic taper or quiff. The "mullet" part is tucked away behind your head. It’s a bit of a loophole in traditional grooming standards.
However, there are limits. If you’re a corporate lawyer at a white-shoe firm, maybe don't go for the extreme version. But for tech, marketing, or any creative field? It’s basically the new uniform. It shows you have a personality but also that you know how to use a comb.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Haircut
If you're ready to take the plunge, don't just wing it.
- Grow it out first. You need at least 3-4 inches of length on the back of your head before this cut even makes sense. If you do it too early, you just have a short, awkward haircut.
- Screenshot the right angles. Find a photo that shows the profile (the side view). This is the only way a barber can see exactly how high you want that taper to go.
- Invest in a matte clay. Look for brands like Baxter of California or Hanz de Fuko. You want something with a "high hold, low shine" finish.
- Schedule your taper clean-ups. The "high" part of the taper will start looking fuzzy after about two weeks. You don't need a full haircut every time, but a 15-minute "taper touch-up" will keep the style looking intentional rather than lazy.
- Watch the neckline. Use a handheld mirror to check the back. If you see stray hairs creeping down your neck, shave them. A mullet is a bold choice; a messy mullet is just a bad choice.
The high taper modern mullet isn't a trend that's going away anytime soon. It’s a versatile, masculine shape that solves the problem of "boring hair." It's edgy enough to stand out but structured enough to stay stylish. Just remember: the taper is what makes it "modern." Without that sharp, high fade on the temples, you're just a guy with a 40-year-old haircut. Focus on the fade, master the sea salt spray, and keep the back trimmed to a reasonable length.