Barbershop Blog

Today we take a look at some of the roots from which the fade styles developed and we outline the popular forms of the cut, so that you, our loyal clients, may more easily describe the specific style you’d like on your next visit.

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While the true origin and circa is lesser known, it was in the 1980’s and early 1990’s that the ‘High Top Fade’ was popularised in the American Hip Hop scene. The style emerged in the popular music videos of the time and and was adopted by many young African Americans, the style grew in popularity until the cornrow took centre stage in the late 90’s. Some readers may remember Will Smith in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air? That was a premium grade ‘High Top Fade’.

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At the turn of the new millennium the ‘Blow Out Fade’ started to emerge, the style is also known as a Temple Fade, Brooklyn Fade or Jersey Fade and while already gaining popularity it entered the mainstream pop culture on the mug of guy called Pauly D, on what was some really bad reality T.V. of the time.

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Today the fade has further developed into to a really versatile look and has become a staple style. There are too many variants to cover them all here and the names and terminology differer greatly depending on location. A quick search online reveals endless names like Spanish Fade, Guido Fade, White-boy Fade, Rican Fade & China Boy all appearing. While the list goes on there is a commonality that remains the same in that the back and sides are shaven from skin to gradually greater lengths. The four common styles and their names are as follows:

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The ‘Taper Fade'

is the lowest of all with the skin level only appearing on the sideburns and nape of the neck and then bursting out to longer lengths.

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The 'Low Fade'

starts at skin length just above the ear and tapers up gradually, behind the ears the low fade will drop down low around the back of the head.

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The ‘Mid Fade'

will start around the temple or eyebrow level and dip a little around the back of the head at the optical bone.

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The ‘High Fade'

starts higher again, reveals a lot of skin and may almost reach the crown of your head before it starts to get longer.

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If haven’t already explored the listed styles you may just wish to request a taper, low, mid or high fade on your next visit, our professional staff are always willing to answer any further questions you may have and can also recommend the right look to work for you.

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