As the name suggests, the Caesar is a very old short hairstyle. The Caesar can easily be identified by volume on top, which is brushed forwards. However, there is a lot of flexibility for the back and sides as you will learn in this guide.
In this guide, you will learn about the Caesar hairstyle, whether it will suit your face shape, and the styles you can wear:
- What Is A Caesar Haircut?
- How To Style A Caesar Haircut
- Will A Caesar Haircut Suit Me & My Face Shape?
Simply use the links above to jump ahead or scroll down to read it all.

Named after Rome’s enigmatic emperor, Julius Caesar the Caesar is a hairstyle with short, horizontally straight cut bangs styled forward. Roman men were fervent believers in short hair. It indicated a cultured and sophisticated civilisation, unlike the barbarians that would let their hair grow long.
Incidentally, wealthy men such as Julius Caesar would have access to slave hairdressers known as Ornatrices. However, the common man would attend the social setting of the barbershop or Tonstrina.
The Caesar haircut experienced its golden age sometime between the late 1990s and early 2000s. Furthermore, it was sported by the style ambassadors such as George Clooney as well as the young and emerging rapper, Eminem.
Nevertheless, the Caesar is by no means outdated and is frequently seen among men of all ages today.
How To Style A Caesar Haircut
The Caesar is a low-maintenance and timeless short style. It walks the fine balance between high fashion and a low-key look. It’s an ideal style for concealing early signs of a receding hairline but also a versatile cut. The Caesar can be honed according to the wearer’s age bracket and environment to create something fashionable.
Traditionally, a Caesar is the same length all over with the top brushed forward. Lengths can vary from as short as Crew Cut territory with 0.5 inches (1.25 cm) to just over 3 inches (7.6 cm).
If you’re looking for something more structured and designed, you can add more volume and texture to the top. Try also shortening the back and sides with a taper or fade.
High fashion circles tend to refer to the Caesar as a French Crop. The name derives from the “French cut”, an Elizabethan mid-length beard style that is cut to frame the face. This, therefore, indicates that the French Crop sports a larger fringe. However, it’s often quite short and instead tends to have a tight skin fade.
Furthermore, the French Crop today is often referred to cuts that feature more extreme angles on the sides as well as Undercut. The French Crop is a very manageable short hairstyle that still retains some volume for those unwilling to entire Buzz Cut territory.
Will A Caesar Hairstyle Suit My Face Shape?
The Caesar is a very specific hairstyle with only a few variants to cater for different face shapes. If the Caesar isn’t best suited to your face shape, however, there are a number of alternative hairstyles worth checking out.
We have categorised 7 different face shapes, which each are suited to different hairstyles. You may want to identify your own face shape before you read the next section for more precise results.
Ideal Matches
The following face shapes can easily wear a caesar hairstyle but can benefit from a few styling tips to optimise it.
Diamond Face Shapes
Diamond face shapes feature a structure that is well suited to the Caesar hairstyle. Furthermore, the bangs across the forehead fill out its narrowness, which efficiently offsets the cheek width.
Oval Face Shapes
The coherence of an Oval face shape means that it is well adapted to carry the Caesar without the risk of undermining its proportions.
Square Face Shapes
A chiselled Square face shape tends to excel with a Caesar hairstyle. The hard cut of the bangs across the forehead emphasises the angular features and denote masculinity.
Triangle Face Shapes
Triangle face shapes can benefit from how the Caesar pushes the hair forward and provides volume, which balances out the proportions of their jawline.
Acceptable Matches
The following face shape may wear a caesar haircut but should be mindful of some styling pitfalls.
Oblong Face Shapes
Oblong face shapes ought to steer clear from tight sides and too much volume on top to avoid elongating their face. Nevertheless, the brushed down Fringe can be used to their advantage.
Incompatible Face Shapes
The following face shapes will struggle to wear a caesar haircut.
Heart Face Shapes
Heart face shapes will struggle as the bulk of the fringe will enlarge their forehead even further. Alternatively they could try out a Side Part instead, which remains neutral on the forehead and can add volume to the cheek line with a low fade.
Round Face Shapes

Conversely, Round face shapes will have difficulty as the hair brushed forward will result in an even rounder finish. The best strategy for Round face shapes to keep the hair up with textured layers as seen in Crew Cuts or Faux Hawks.
Hi, I have a triangular face with some diamond face type features. I want to try a longer pointed beard, should I have a caesar cut on shorter or longer spectrum? 0.5-3inches In order not to mess up proportions?
Thank you
Hi Vladimir,
It’s great to see such a specific question that makes us think!
I’d recommend that you try a longer 3-inch Caesar first as it should be better for offsetting against your strong jawline. If you think it’s slightly too long when finished, you can ask a good barber to slowly make it shorter until you’re happy with the length.
All the best,
CP
My face measurements are:
Face is 180mm
Forehead is 170mm
Jawline is 240mm
Cheeks is 170mm
As per info available it works out to be a traingle face.
So, is it correct??
Secondly, i have curly hair( receding hairline as i am nearing 40)
Which hairstyle will work best for me and what beard style??
Thank you for your reply.
Hi Neeraj,
This looks correct, yes.
That’s a tough one as I’m not sure how your hairline recedes. Do you think you could try a crew cut? Is it too curly to do a side part with a tapered fade? As for the beard, you could try a boxed or full beard style. Those would work quite well!
Best,
CP
Hi guys,
My hair is generally very thick on top however I am suffering with a receding hair line.
Would you advise going for a ceaser / french crop or would a side parting style be better suited ?
It depends on the pattern of the receding hairline. Caesars are said to help best but I prefer not trying to hide it with a side-part.
Best,
CP
Can Caesars cut match any kind of beard?
I imagine so, yes! I would recommend full or boxed beards as being some of the most ideal options.
Will small fringes with side fade look good on heart face shape ?please suggest short hairstyles for heart face shape i have very big forhead
Hey there Robin,
Check out our guide on the heart face shape: https://bespokeunit.com/face-shapes/heart/
Rafael
Hi…I’m John
I have an oval face with a flat back head and finding the right haircut for me is hard. Because I lost my confidence in facing people because of my un-compatible haircut.
Can I get some help and advice for you?
Hey John,
Thanks for dropping us a comment. Have you checked out our oval face shape guide? The Caesar haircut is indicated as a good hairstyle for oval shapes as well as a couple of others: https://bespokeunit.com/face-shapes/oval/. On another note, you should never let a less-than-ideal haircut bring down your confidence! You may have a hard time finding the ideal cut for you, and in this process not feel your best, but keep trying and you’ll certainly find something you’ll be happy with, it just may take a couple of tries. Keep your head up and let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Rafael