The Top 7 Peaky Blinders Haircuts: A 2025 Style Guide To The Iconic Disconnected Undercut

The "Peaky Blinders" haircut is more than just a style; it's a cultural phenomenon that continues to dominate men's grooming trends in 2025. This iconic look, characterized by its sharp, disconnected sides and longer top, has transcended its 1920s Birmingham roots to become a modern symbol of confidence, rebellion, and sharp tailoring. As of today, December 15, 2025, the demand for these styles remains incredibly high, with barbers reporting a constant stream of requests for the looks sported by Thomas Shelby, Arthur Shelby, and the rest of the notorious gang. The enduring appeal lies in the haircut's historical authenticity and its dramatic, high-contrast aesthetic. The show's hair designer, Loz Schiavo, meticulously researched 1920s police mugshots and historical photographs to create the signature look, confirming that the style is historically accurate for young, working-class men of the era. This deep dive into the past has cemented the style as a timeless classic, which is now being adapted and modernized with new techniques like the taper and fade.

The Shelby Family Haircut: A Detailed Breakdown of the Core Styles

The Peaky Blinders haircut is essentially a variation of the Disconnected Undercut, a style where the hair on the sides and back is cut dramatically short or shaved, with a stark, noticeable line separating it from the longer hair on top. While the basic structure is the same for the entire gang, each main character adds a unique twist to the top section, creating distinct looks.

1. Thomas Shelby's Iconic Textured Crop (The Leader's Cut)

Thomas Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, sports arguably the most famous and requested style: the Textured French Crop with a disconnected undercut.

• The Cut: The sides and back are typically taken down to a very short clipper grade, often a #1 or #2, with no fade—it is a sharp, disconnected cut.
• The Top: The hair on top is left relatively short (around 2–4 inches) and is cut into a French Crop or Caesar Crop, meaning the fringe is cut blunt and worn forward.
• The Styling: To achieve Tommy's look, the hair is styled with a matte pomade or clay to give it a rugged, natural texture and a slightly messy appearance, rather than being slicked down.
• Who It Suits: This style is excellent for men with oval faces or defined cheekbones and those with thicker hair that needs controlling.

2. Arthur Shelby's Slicked Back Undercut (The Enforcer's Cut)

Arthur Shelby's look is the most extreme and perhaps the most intimidating, reflecting his volatile nature. His style is a pure, classic Slicked Back Undercut.

• The Cut: This is the most striking disconnected cut. The back and sides are often completely shaved down to a zero grade or a very short #0.5, creating a high-contrast look.
• The Top: The hair on top is left significantly longer than Tommy's, allowing it to be fully combed and slicked back.
• The Styling: Arthur's hair requires a high-shine, oil-based pomade to achieve that signature wet, slicked-back finish. The pomade keeps the hair firmly in place, giving it a very formal and severe appearance.
• Who It Suits: Best for men with straighter hair who can easily slick it back and those who want a truly bold, high-maintenance style.

3. John Shelby's High-Contrast Undercut (The Soldier's Cut)

John Shelby's style is a blend of his brothers, often featuring a slightly longer top than Tommy's but still worn forward or with a subtle side sweep, giving it a less severe and more versatile look.

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• The Cut: A classic disconnected undercut, but often with a slightly longer grade on the sides than Arthur's, perhaps a #2 or #3.
• The Top: The top is cut to be easily swept to the side or worn down and textured, offering more flexibility for modern wear.
• The Styling: A medium-hold paste is ideal for this style, allowing for movement while maintaining the shape.

Modern Adaptations: 4 Ways to Wear the Peaky Blinders Haircut in 2025

While the original 1920s style is a harsh, disconnected cut, modern barbers have softened and updated the look to make it more wearable and blend better with contemporary fashion. These adaptations are what keep the Peaky Blinders style at the forefront of men's grooming trends in 2025.

4. The Tapered Crop and Fade

This is the 2025 evolution of the Tommy Shelby cut. Instead of a harsh, disconnected line, the barber introduces a taper or a fade on the sides and back.

• The Difference: A taper or fade blends the shortest hair at the bottom up into the longer hair on the top, eliminating the sharp contrast of the original undercut. This makes the look cleaner and more professional.
• The Request: Ask for a "Textured Crop with a Low Taper Fade" or a "Skin Fade Undercut."

5. The Modern Slick Back with a Mid-Fade

A less severe version of Arthur's look. By replacing the harsh shave with a mid-fade, the style retains its slicked-back elegance but loses the aggressive edge.

• The Difference: The sides are faded up to the point of the disconnection, which is moved higher up the head.
• The Styling: Use a water-based pomade for a high-shine finish that is easier to wash out than traditional oil-based products.

6. The Textured Crop with a Sharp Side Part

This adaptation blends the classic crop with a modern side-parted look. The top hair is left slightly longer and styled to the side, with a clean, sharp line shaved into the scalp (a "hard part") to emphasize the separation.

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• The Appeal: It offers a vintage-meets-modern aesthetic, perfect for the gentleman who wants a sophisticated, yet edgy, look.

7. The Long Undercut (Michael Gray’s Style)

While not a Shelby, Michael Gray (Finn Cole) often sported a version of the undercut with significantly more length on top, allowing for a deep side part and more volume. This style is less about the harsh crop and more about the contrast between the short sides and long, flowing top.

• The Request: Ask for a disconnected undercut with 5–7 inches of length on top, styled with a deep side part and a high-volume product.

How to Talk to Your Barber: The Essential Guide for Getting the Look

Getting a Peaky Blinders haircut requires precision and clear communication with your barber. Do not just ask for "The Tommy Shelby." Instead, use the correct technical terms for the cut and the style of the top.

The Core Request (The Undercut):

Ask for a "Disconnected Undercut" with a specific clipper guard on the back and sides. For the classic, high-contrast look, specify a low grade, such as a "Number 1 or 2 all the way around, with no blending or fade." If you prefer the modern, softer look, ask for a "Tapered Undercut" or a "Mid-Fade Undercut."

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The Top Section (The Character Style):

• For Tommy Shelby: "I want a Textured French Crop on top. Leave it about 2-3 inches long, and use point-cutting to add texture so I can wear the fringe forward and slightly messy."
• For Arthur Shelby: "Leave the top long enough to Slick Back (at least 5 inches). I want a clean, extreme disconnection between the top and the shaved sides."
• For John Shelby: "I want a longer top, about 3-4 inches, cut to be worn forward or with a slight side sweep. I need enough weight to keep it from looking too fluffy."

Styling Products and Maintenance:

The Peaky Blinders haircut is high-maintenance due to the speed at which the sides grow out, blurring the sharp, disconnected line. You will need to visit your barber every 2–3 weeks for a trim on the sides to keep the contrast sharp. Use high-quality products like matte clay for the textured crop or a strong-hold pomade for the slicked-back styles to ensure your hair maintains its iconic shape throughout the day.