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What’s This About
For a longer outline with angular corners, you can add width at the sides, show less length with a fringe, or keep the length on purpose; which cut suits you depends on that choice and on what your hair can do.
This guide covers the choices that shape the result, such as:
Where a fringe or side part sits and how it changes visible length
How layers and waves build width at cheekbone level
When the crown height of a quiff is a deliberate choice
Matching each cut to your density, curl pattern and hairline
Beard pairings that add side fullness or chin length
and many more!
We also separate what you style at home each morning from what your barber maintains at the sides and neckline.
Key Points
01Adding width and reducing apparent length is one route; keeping or emphasising your length is an equally valid one if you like it.
02Where volume sits matters more than long versus short hair: width at the temples and cheekbones reads differently from height at the crown.
03Density, curl pattern, cowlicks and hairline decide whether a pictured cut will hold the same shape on your hair.
04Styling the top each day and maintaining the faded or tapered edges at the barber are separate commitments, so ask about both.
Men with rectangle face shapes have elongated features with similar widths across the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.
Choosing a hairstyle for a rectangular face is largely about deciding whether to add width and soften the angular structure, or to work with the length instead of against it.
Explore all face shapes and style ideas
If you choose the first route, the aim is to add width at the sides and soften the corners so the face reads less long; if you prefer the second, you keep or even emphasise the length deliberately.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to ten hairstyles for men with a rectangular outline.
If your features look mixed, for example long but with softer, more curved jaw corners, the oblong haircut guide covers a neighbouring outline, and our guide to men’s face shapes describes each one by visible features.
Our face shape analysis quiz can offer a starting description, but it is optional; you can choose a cut from what you see in the mirror and what your hair can do.
Match This List to Your Actual Hair
Whichever route you choose, these checks on your actual hair decide whether the ten cuts below will look the way they do in the photographs.
Texture and density: layered cuts and side-swept waves need enough density to hold width; fine, low-density hair may fall flat beside the face, which keeps the outline long rather than widening it; a volumising mousse at the roots and blow-drying the sides outward can help, while thick hair often needs some weight removed so layers move rather than sit heavy.
Curl pattern and growth direction: natural waves and curls create side width more easily than straight hair. A curl cream defines wave or curl you already have; it will not create curl in straight hair, so if your hair is straight, build width through layering and blow-drying outward rather than up, and treat the curly entries below as looks that depend on natural texture.
Hairline: a fringe sits differently depending on your hairline shape and growth direction at the front; point out any cowlicks before committing to a textured fringe.
Upkeep: styling the top and maintaining the perimeter are two separate commitments.
Daily styling is what you do to the top: a brushed-back quiff usually needs blow-drying and product each morning to hold its height, while a crew cut or textured crop can often be finished with a little paste, depending on your hair.
Barber upkeep is the perimeter: tapered or faded sides and a neat neckline lose their crisp edge as they grow, so short, sharp edges need more frequent visits than longer, layered sides, which grow out more gradually.
Two routes: one route shows less length by bringing hair forward or across the forehead, with a fringe or side part, and placing volume at the temples and cheekbones. The other keeps or highlights the length, for example with the crown height of the quiff. Both are legitimate; they are not the same goal.
Hair length alone does not decide which route you are on: shoulder-length waves with body at cheekbone level add width, while the same length hanging flat keeps the outline long. Judge each cut by where its volume sits and where its edges finish.
Brief your barber: say whether you want the cut to reduce or keep your face’s apparent length, say where you want the widest part of the hair to sit, describe your hair’s density and whether it holds a curl or sits flat, and flag any cowlicks near the hairline. Ask how short the sides need to be kept, and how often, to keep the look you chose.
Mirror check: once the cut is dry and styled the way you will wear it, look straight on and then in profile. Check whether the widest part of the hair sits at the temples or cheekbones as intended, or whether crown height or flat sides are making the outline longer than you wanted.
1. Textured Fringe
The textured fringe brings hair forward over the forehead, so less of the face’s length shows, and textured sides add some width. The style combines a casual, laid-back look with structured sides.
Why it works: The fringe reduces visible face length while creating width.
Styling Tips: Use a sea salt spray for texture and blow-dry forward for a polished finish.
Beard Pairing: Light stubble enhances the overall softness of the look.
2. Side Part
The side part haircut is a classic, professional style that introduces asymmetry and works with most face shapes.
Why it works: Hair swept across rather than up creates a diagonal line that breaks up the vertical length.
Styling Tips: Use a medium-hold pomade for a sleek finish. Comb neatly for a polished look.
Beard Pairing: A short boxed beard complements this refined style.
3. Medium-Length Layers
Layered haircuts add texture and volume, creating movement that softens the structure of the face.
Why it works: Layers prevent a flat appearance and enhance width.
Styling Tips: Apply a lightweight mousse to define layers. Air-dry or use a diffuser for natural waves.
Beard Pairing: A clean-shaven look works well with this casual style.
4. Wavy Side-Swept Hair
Side-swept waves create width while maintaining a soft, natural aesthetic.
Why it works: The waves add movement and reduce the prominence of sharp lines.
Styling Tips: Use a curl-enhancing cream for definition. Sweep hair to one side with a wide-tooth comb.
Beard Pairing: Pair with a neatly trimmed beard for a polished look.
5. Brushed-Back Quiff
A brushed-back quiff adds volume to the crown while tapering the sides.
Why it works: The quiff adds length to the upper face rather than reducing it, so it works best if you like the elongated look or want to draw attention upward; it is not the choice if your priority is to shorten the face’s apparent length, where a fringe or side-swept style from this list suits better.
Styling Tips: Use a volumising mousse and blow-dry upward. Finish with a matte pomade.
Beard Pairing: Medium stubble is a low-commitment pairing; keep it close at the chin if you do not want to add length below as well as above.
6. Short Textured Crop
The textured crop needs little daily styling on top, though its tapered sides still need regular barber visits to stay neat. It adds width without creating unnecessary height.
Why it works: It softens angular features with its slightly messy texture.
Styling Tips: Use a light hold clay to style the top. Keep the sides tapered for structure.
Beard Pairing: A short beard frames the jawline effectively.
7. Curly Fringe
For men with natural curls, a curly fringe adds width and movement to the face.
Why it works: The curls break up the length of the face while adding texture.
Styling Tips: Apply a curl-defining cream and scrunch while drying for best results.
Beard Pairing: If you want the face to read less long, a goatee trimmed close so it follows the chin’s contour, with little extension below it, works with this playful style, provided your growth fills the chin evenly. A goatee left to grow longer adds back the length the fringe is reducing, which is fine if that is the look you want.
8. Shoulder-Length Waves
Shoulder-length waves frame the face and provide a relaxed, elegant look.
Why it works: Waves with width at cheekbone level can soften the elongated structure, but the same length left hanging straight and flat beside the face tends to extend it further; how your hair actually falls, straight or with body, decides which effect you get.
Styling Tips: Use a hydrating conditioner to maintain healthy waves. Style with a lightweight serum for shine.
Beard Pairing: A full beard suits the longer hair; keep it fuller at the sides and closer at the chin if you want width rather than extra length, where your side growth allows.
9. Crew Cut
The crew cut is a modern take on short hairstyles, featuring added texture on top.
Why it works: The textured top keeps height low, so the cut does not add length; it adds little width at the sides.
Styling Tips: Use a matte styling paste for a natural, tousled look.
Beard Pairing: Medium stubble gives a relaxed finish without adding length at the chin.
10. Natural Waves with Taper Fade
This hairstyle combines natural texture on top with a subtle fade on the sides.
Why it works: The contrast between close sides and a textured top adds dimension; keep the waves loose and styled slightly forward or sideways rather than lifted if you do not want a taller top to add length.
Styling Tips: Apply sea salt spray to enhance natural waves. Keeping the taper clean and sharp is the barber’s part of the job, so expect more frequent visits for the sides than the top needs.
Beard Pairing: A sculpted beard works best with this versatile style.
Conclusion
If you want a rectangular face to read less long, cuts that add width and texture at the sides and bring hair forward are the most direct route; if you like your length, the quiff and the longer styles let you keep it.
These 10 hairstyles cover both routes, from short crops to shoulder-length waves.
If you are unsure which description fits, a face shape quiz can offer a starting point, but your mirror, your hair and your preference matter as much; take a photograph of the cut you like to a professional barber and ask how it would adapt to your hair.
Style Like A True Gentleman
Before you go, here is a simple order to follow, whether you work alone or with an image consultant.
Professional styling usually starts with knowing your body shape and seasonal colour palette, which help you choose well-fitting clothes in colours that suit your skin, eyes and hair.
Then you can plan outfits for each occasion, location, season and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from heritage fashion brands that fit the way you want to look.
Take our three quizzes below, then book a paid consultation if you would like personal help:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is a useful first step.
To check your body shape, take our body shape quiz for men.
Next, take the second quiz to check your colour palette.
2. Find Your Seasonal Colours
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours, and it helps to choose shades that suit your natural colouring.
To do that, find your seasonal colour palette by taking our seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Fashion Style
Once you know your body shape and colour palette, the next step is to find your personal fashion style.
You can start with our fashion style quiz for men; it gives style suggestions, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
If you would like personal help, you can book a paid consultation with our expert image consultants and fashion stylists.
Our styling services for men are paid consultations; the shop page lists what each one includes.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough (see logo-heavy luxury brands and how to wear them); it also helps to know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and then to dress by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us if you would like to book a paid consultation.