27 Modern Mullet Styles for Men With a Cleaner Edge: Less Retro
The modern mullet keeps the idea of the old one, shorter at the front and longer at the back, but blends it so much better. Tapers, fades and texture mean it can look sharp and wearable instead of like a costume from a 1980s photo album.
Below are 27 modern mullet styles for men, teens and boys. They cover short, medium and long mullets, straight, wavy, curly, thick and fine hair, middle parts, no-fade, taper, burst, drop and skin fade versions, textured fringes, highlights, perms, slicked-back and cowboy looks, beards, thinning hairlines and how to grow one out. Each one explains what to ask your barber and how much upkeep to expect.
Short on Time? Pick Your Path
Table of Contents
- 01Classic Modern Mullet With a Low Taper
- 02Short Modern Mullet
- 03Modern Mullet With Straight Hair
- 04Curly Modern Mullet
- 05Wavy Modern Mullet
- 06Medium-Length Modern Mullet
- 07Long Flowing Modern Mullet
- 08Modern Mullet With a Middle Part
- 09Natural Modern Mullet With No Fade
- 10Modern Mullet With a Mid Taper
- 11Modern Mullet With a High Skin Fade
- 12Modern Mullet With a Drop Fade
- 13Burst Fade Modern Mullet
- 14Textured Modern Mullet With a Fringe
- 15Messy Layered Modern Mullet
- 16Modern Mullet on Thick Hair
- 17Modern Mullet on Fine Hair
- 18Asian Modern Mullet
- 19Modern Mullet With Highlights
- 20Permed Modern Mullet
- 21Slicked-Back Modern Mullet
- 22Modern Mullet With a Beard
- 23Modern Mullet for a Receding Hairline
- 24Grown-Out Modern Mullet
- 25Cowboy Country Modern Mullet
- 26Teen Modern Mullet
- 27Boys’ Modern Mullet
01
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Classic Modern Mullet With a Low Taper
A classic modern mullet with a low taper keeps the top textured, the sides tidy and the back longer. The low taper is the detail that makes it modern instead of retro.
Because the taper is low and soft, the cut grows out gracefully. It’s a good starting point if you’re nervous about the look.
Modern mullets come in a lot of versions. Here’s how the main side options compare.
| Side Style | How Bold | Upkeep | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No fade | Subtle | Every 6–8 weeks | Natural, grown-in look |
| Low taper | Soft | Every 4–6 weeks | First-timers, offices |
| Mid taper | Moderate | Every 3–4 weeks | Clear mullet shape |
| Burst fade | Bold | Every 2–3 weeks | Curly hair, streetwear |
| Drop fade | Bold | Every 2–3 weeks | Rounded head shapes |
| High skin fade | Very bold | Every 1–2 weeks | Maximum contrast |
If you’re unsure, start with a low taper. It’s easy to go bolder at the next cut, but much harder to undo a high fade.
How a Town Turned Mullets Into a Festival
SBS reported in February 2018 on the first Mulletfest in the small town of Kurri Kurri in New South Wales, Australia. The event judged categories including “Everyday Mullet, Grubby Mullet, Junior Mullet” and more, showing how the cut had moved from joke to celebrated style.
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Short Modern Mullet
A short modern mullet keeps the back only a little longer than the rest. It’s subtle enough for most workplaces but still has a hint of edge.
It’s also the easiest mullet to grow into. You can always let the back go longer later.
✅ Do This
Ask for the back to be left one or two inches longer than the top, so the mullet shape is clear but subtle.
🚫 Skip This
Don’t let the barber blend the back into the sides completely, because the mullet shape disappears.
03
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Modern Mullet With Straight Hair
A modern mullet with straight hair shows the shape very clearly. The straight length at the back makes the contrast with the shorter sides obvious.
🎨
Top
choppy texture
✂️
Sides
mid taper
📐
Back
past the collar
Straight hair needs texture on top so it doesn’t lie flat. Point cutting and a little matte product help.
04
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Curly Modern Mullet
A curly modern mullet is one of the best-looking versions. Curls add natural volume at the back, and a fade around the ears keeps it tidy.
Curls shrink when dry, so leave extra length at the back. Cut the curls dry so the barber can see where they fall.
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Wavy Modern Mullet
A wavy modern mullet has natural movement and an easy, beachy feel. The waves at the back flick out on their own.
Sea salt spray on damp hair brings out the waves. Let it air-dry for a relaxed finish.
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Medium-Length Modern Mullet
A medium-length modern mullet sits between short and long. The back reaches just past the collar, so the shape is clear without being extreme.
It’s a good middle step while you decide how far to grow the back.
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Long Flowing Modern Mullet
A long flowing modern mullet lets the back grow to the shoulders. It has a relaxed, rock-inspired feel.
Long backs need occasional trims to remove split ends. A light leave-in keeps the length soft.
08
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Modern Mullet With a Middle Part
A modern mullet with a middle part pairs curtain-style hair at the front with a longer back. It looks soft and slightly 90s.
The front needs enough length to fall into curtains. Ask your barber to keep the front longer than a typical mullet top.
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Natural Modern Mullet With No Fade
A natural modern mullet with no fade uses scissors on the sides instead of clippers. It looks soft and grown-in, with no harsh lines.
It’s the easiest mullet to maintain. There’s no fade to keep crisp.
Skip It If You Want a Sharp, Defined Shape
Without a fade, the mullet shape is subtle and can look like overgrown hair. Choose a taper if you want clear contrast.
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Modern Mullet With a Mid Taper
A modern mullet with a mid taper shortens the sides around the temples. The contrast makes the longer back stand out more.
It suits most face shapes. A mid taper is a good choice for a defined but not extreme mullet.
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Modern Mullet With a High Skin Fade
A modern mullet with a high skin fade takes the sides to bare skin high up the head. It’s the boldest, most contrasting version.
The high fade exposes a lot of scalp. It suits men with smooth head shapes.
⚠️ Where High Skin Fade Mullets Look Disconnected
If the back is too thin, a high skin fade can make it look like a separate tail. Keep enough width and density at the back.
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Modern Mullet With a Drop Fade
A modern mullet with a drop fade curves the fade down behind the ear. It frames the longer back neatly and suits rounded head shapes.
The curve flows naturally into the back length. It looks smoother than a straight fade line.
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Burst Fade Modern Mullet
A burst fade modern mullet curves the fade around the ear in a half-circle, leaving length at the back. It’s especially popular on curly hair.
The burst shape follows the ear, so the back stays full. It’s a bold, modern look.
14
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Textured Modern Mullet With a Fringe
A textured modern mullet with a fringe pushes choppy hair forward over the forehead. It softens the front and suits high foreheads.
The fringe and back both need texture. Point cutting keeps them from looking heavy.
💬 Rough-Dry the Fringe Forward
Blow-dry the fringe forward with your fingers, then scrunch in a little texture spray. It falls into choppy pieces on its own.
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Messy Layered Modern Mullet
A messy layered modern mullet uses layers throughout for a shaggy, undone feel. It’s close to a wolf cut, with more length at the back.
Layers add movement and remove bulk. A little sea salt spray keeps it messy.
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Modern Mullet on Thick Hair
A modern mullet on thick hair needs weight removed or it looks bulky. Texturising the top and a taper on the sides keep it lighter.
Thick hair holds the mullet shape well. It just needs regular shaping.
Leaving All the Bulk in the Back:
A thick back with no layering looks like a heavy block. Ask your barber to texturise the back so it moves.
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Modern Mullet on Fine Hair
A modern mullet on fine hair works best kept shorter. A shorter back looks fuller than a long, thin one.
Fine hair is also why many men choose short modern mullet cuts, which look fuller at the back.
A volumising spray on damp hair adds body at the roots. Avoid heavy products that weigh fine hair down.
💡 The “Fine Hair Can’t Wear a Mullet” Myth
Myth: You need thick hair for a mullet.
Reality: Fine hair suits a short modern mullet with a low taper. It’s long, thin backs that look sparse.
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Asian Modern Mullet
An Asian modern mullet often pairs thick straight hair with a textured top and soft curtain fringe. The straight length at the back looks sleek and modern.
Thick straight hair can stick out at the sides as it grows. A low taper keeps the sides flat.
💈 Your Mullet Request for Thick Straight Hair
Ask for texture on top, a low taper at the sides and the back left two to three inches longer. Mention that your hair tends to stick out so the barber can thin the sides.
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Modern Mullet With Highlights
A modern mullet with highlights adds colour and dimension. Lighter pieces show off texture on the top and back.
Ask a colourist to keep highlights soft so they grow out gracefully.
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Permed Modern Mullet
A permed modern mullet adds curls to straight hair for extra volume. The curls give the back a fuller shape.
Perms involve chemicals, so go to an experienced stylist. Ask about aftercare before booking.
📌 Wait Before Washing a New Perm
Stylists usually advise waiting a day or two before washing newly permed hair. Ask your stylist how long for your specific perm.
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Slicked-Back Modern Mullet
A slicked-back modern mullet combs the top back for a sleek, rock-inspired look. The longer back adds edge.
A medium-shine pomade or cream works best. Heavy gel can look dated.
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Modern Mullet With a Beard
A modern mullet with a beard balances the longer back with fuller facial hair. The beard gives the face more weight.
✅ Copy This Mullet and Beard Combination
- A textured top
- A mid taper on the sides
- The back left 2–3 inches longer
- Sideburns blended into the beard
- A full beard trimmed evenly
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Modern Mullet for a Receding Hairline
A modern mullet for a receding hairline keeps the top textured and slightly forward. The longer back draws attention away from the temples.
Keep the top short and messy rather than long and slicked back. Slicking back shows the hairline more.
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Grown-Out Modern Mullet
A grown-out modern mullet takes patience. Most people need several months to grow enough length at the back.
Growing a Modern Mullet From Short Hair
Brands disagree on the best approach. Gillette’s guide suggests keeping a clean taper on the sides from early on, while Philips advises avoiding cuts on the top and sides at first and letting everything grow.
Let the back grow freely, trimming only split ends.
Keep the top at about one to three inches with light trims.
Taper the sides once the top starts to look messy.
Shape the transition from crown to back after a few months.
Refresh the sides and top every six to eight weeks.
Gillette estimates most people need four to twelve months for a clear mullet shape. Curly hair often takes longer because it shrinks.
BEFORE:
Hair grown out evenly all over, so the sides puff out and the mullet shape isn’t visible.
AFTER:
The same length with tapered sides and a textured top, so the longer back clearly reads as a mullet.
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Cowboy Country Modern Mullet
A cowboy country modern mullet has a rugged, ranch-inspired feel. The shorter top fits under a hat, and the back shows below it.
Keep the top short so hats sit comfortably. The longer back flicks out naturally under a brim.
📅 Wear It For
26
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Teen Modern Mullet
A teen modern mullet is usually short and subtle. A low taper and slightly longer back look stylish but fit most school rules.
🎨
Top
textured
✂️
Sides
low taper
📐
Back
1–2 in longer
Check school rules before going too long or adding a high fade. A subtle mullet is safer.
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Boys’ Modern Mullet
A boys’ modern mullet keeps the top short and practical with a slightly longer back. A gentle taper keeps it comfortable.
Keep the back short enough that it doesn’t tangle. Long backs can knot during play.
💬 Brush the Back Before Bedtime
A quick brush of the longer back each evening stops knots forming overnight. Use a soft brush or wide-tooth comb.
Which modern mullet would you try first?
FAQs
What is a modern mullet?
A modern mullet is shorter on the top and sides and longer at the back, blended with a taper, fade or texture for a cleaner, softer look than the classic mullet.
What should I ask my barber for a modern mullet?
Ask for a textured top, a low or mid taper on the sides and the back left longer. Say how much longer you want the back.
How long does it take to grow a modern mullet?
Most people need several months, often four to twelve, depending on starting length and hair type. Curly hair usually takes longer.
Does a modern mullet suit curly hair?
Yes. Curls add natural volume at the back, and a burst or low fade keeps the sides tidy.
Can you have a modern mullet with no fade?
Yes. Scissor-cut sides give a softer, natural mullet that needs less upkeep.
How do you style a modern mullet?
Use a little sea salt spray or matte product on the top for texture, and let the back fall naturally. A light leave-in keeps longer backs soft.