Sorted Magazine

Category: Fashion

  • Style: Long hair for men is in

    It would seem that long hair for men is in. The Emmys saw actors like Pedro Pascal and Jeremy Allen White donning slicked back looks and long tresses. Recently Google Trends saw an increase of 200% in searches for how to style long hair for men. Apparently men have been seeking help and advice for growing out their hair!

    Maintaining long hair can be incredibly difficult, especially when you’re in the awkward in-between stage. Andrew Vassiliou, Director of Chris and Sons has provided his expert commentary below explaining how men can maintain their hair when growing it out, and what to ask the barber at your next appointment. Andrew writes:

    Discuss how you want your hair to grow

    Sit down with your barber and set a plan of how you want your hair to look as it grows. Clearly communicate that you’re growing your hair out and discuss your desired end goal, in terms of style, look and length. This will help your barber understand how to shape your hair as it grows and how to customise your haircut to achieve your goals.

    Establish a timeline

    Talk about your timeline and how long you plan to grow your hair. This can guide the barber in determining how to shape your hair during the different stages of growth, and hopefully avoid the awkward in-between stage. 

    Ask for regular trims

    While growing your hair out, regular trims are essential to prevent split ends and maintain a healthy appearance, and also set the foundations for a consistent shape. Discuss how often you should come in for trims to keep the growth even.

    Explore different styling options

    Discuss styling options that work with your current hair length and texture. Your barber can suggest suitable styles or techniques to manage your hair during the transition.

    Keep an open line of communication

    If you encounter any issues or challenges during the growing process, like excessive dryness or difficulty styling, bring them up with your barber. They can offer solutions and recommend adjustments to your hair care routine to get your ideal style.

    Source: https://www.chrisandsons.co.uk/

    Main Photo Credit: Taylor via Unsplash

  • Men’s hair: New trends and styling tips

    Digital Editor’s Note: I’m pleased to welcome Jim Shaw as our Guest Writer. Jim is Director of Toni&Guy Billericay and a multi-award winning men’s hairdresser. Jim has vast experience of working with men’s hair and has very kindly offered to unpack his top tips for resetting your hair and shares his style predictions.

    Jim writes: The start of a New Year is a great time to change your hair look, get a haircut and ‘reset’ your hair for the new year ahead. It’s also a time where we should be taking our haircare routine more seriously and using products that will help replenish our hair.

    During the festive season we tend to over style our hair with products and heated styling tools, alongside wearing hats more often that can cause pressure and friction on our scalp and hair, leading to damage. The winter weather can also have harsh effects on our hair, where going from the outdoors to indoors with central heating can lead to our hair lacking moisture, resulting in it becoming dry and lifeless.

    The start of a New Year is when we always see the rise of short, low maintenance men’s hairstyles, including the buzz cut and the crew cut, which allow men to get rid of any hair damage and split ends, reset their hair and start the year with a new cut that requires no styling and allows for healthy hair regrowth. The crew cut is a great choice for those looking for a low maintenance yet trendy hair look, and I love the clean lines that can be created with this style.

    If you don’t want to go too short with your hair, the classic taper is a perfect choice. This will allow you to reset the sides and back of your hair, having these areas cut super short, and take some length of the top of your hair to create a seamless blend. This style also grows out well and continues to look great as the hair on top gets longer. Simple trims at the salon/barbershop will keep this cut looking fresh and stylish.

    When it comes to treatments and haircare products for looking after your hair in the New Year and injecting as much nourishment back into your hair as possible, a scalp scrub is a great product that will help to get rid of any product build up and dandruff that may have accumulated on your scalp. A hair mask is also fantastic for helping to add hydration into your hair and scalp, alongside a nourishing shampoo and conditioner. Natural oils like coconut oil are also beneficial to add extra hydration into your hair and scalp and this can be applied as a hair mask before you wash your hair, or you can apply a small amount daily for moisture and shine.

    Additional tips for getting your hair back in its best condition are to avoid over washing your hair and stripping it of its natural oils, to be careful when drying your hair (always be gentle to avoid causing friction on your hair), avoid heated styling wherever possible to avoid hair damage and to lower the temperature when you shower, this can sap the moisture out of your hair and lead it to looking dull more quickly.

    Here are my predictions for the trends in men’s haircut’s which will emerge throughout 2024:

    Crew Cut

    The crew cut has recently become a very highly requested look in the salon. This cut is slightly longer than a buzz cut and is a timeless cut that I think will be here to stay for some time. This style looks particularly strong on those with angled features but is a great style for all face shapes, as it can be tailored to suit the individual. Another great thing about this look is that no styling is needed, just more regular trips to the hairdresser/barber to keep the cut looking fresh. It’s a great look if you want to show off your best facial features and look incredibly stylish too.

    Pompadours and quiffs

    These are classic styles that come back on trend time and time again. The pompadour being a style that slicks the hair back off the face and the quiff being a style where height is created towards the front of the face. However, for 2024 we will see both of these hairstyles having a contemporary update, being worn a lot softer, with height/volume in the looks being more subtle and not as dramatic. Instead of looking very ’styled’ and polished, these looks will look more undone and effortless. Matte pomades are great for helping achieve these looks, adding shape and texture to your hair with a more natural finish.

    Side partings

    With old money being a huge trend for 2024, we will also see side partings continuing to be on trend this year. If you do not want to opt for a dramatic hair change, you can simply experiment by styling your hair into a side parting. This is a great way to give your hair a more sophisticated appearance but also added volume and it looks great when paired with a pompadour to achieve a suave look.

    Rock n’ roll inspired hair

    90’s hair trends have been a dominant trend over the last year, we will see this continue into 2024 with mullets and rock n’roll inspired hair becoming more on trend for men. Mullet-like styles will be worn a lot shorter and we will also see pixie inspired cuts being on trend too with lots of texture and choppiness through the haircut. Both styles look great when paired with more effortless styling with mousses and salt sprays used to add further definition and edge to the looks.

    Main Photo Credit: Josh Miller via Unsplash

  • Style tips: How to layer up this winter

    Style tips: How to layer up this winter

    Winter is fast approaching and with 339.9M views on tiktok #winterstyle is at the forefront of our minds. Lennie Law, style expert at custom fit menswear brand Spoke London shared the following five tips for creating a winter wardrobe that is both functional and stylish.

    Opt for quality fabrics

    There are certain fabrics you should lean towards in the winter months; merino wool and

    cashmere are both luxurious to wear and practical, providing extra warmth. Investing in higher quality fabrics will mean they will last longer, becoming investment pieces you can wear for years.

    Add contrast with accessories

    An easy way to elevate your winter look is by adding accessories in bold colours; think gloves, hats and scarves. These can provide the much needed warmth throughout the winter months while also allowing you to show your personality. Try contrasting colours like a bright orange with a navy or black coat, or opt for neutral shades for a classic tonal look.

    Layer your favourite pieces with thermals underneath

    Wearing your favourite pieces all year round is good for the soul, while also being more sustainably conscious. Try adding a thermal vest under your favourite t-shirt or layering a thermal roll neck under your favourite jumper for a stylish, yet practical look.

    Layering pieces can add additional interest to an outfit. It allows you to wear what is already in your wardrobe in several different ways. One of the most stylish ways to layer is to add different textures, think soft wool fabric layers with more structured cotton or leather pieces.

    Add a gilet

    A super on trend way to add that little bit of extra warmth without compromising on style is to add a gilet. You can opt for more sporty styles, such as a padded gilet for a casual look, or choose leather and denim styles for something more fashion forward.

    Reach for textured fabrics

    Brushed fabrics have raised fibres which trap air particles in between them, creating good insulation and making them a much warmer choice in the winter months. 

    Cord trousers offer both style and substance, as the grooves will keep you toasty warm. They can be dressed down with a casual jumper or dressed up with a shirt, making them perfect for winter and the festive season.