The ponytail has been worn in men’s and women’s hair since the beginning of time and is the most versatile hairstyle on the planet. It is easy to self-administer, it is neat and tidy and can be used with any fashion style. It is the preferred hairstyle for those in food handling jobs or when serving customers or for those involved in sports.
Since the early 90’s, long hair on men has become an increasingly popular fashion statement. With this has come heightened grooming expectations on male hair, keeping pace with their female counterparts. Whilst caring and styling long hair can be a task at times, having knowledge of a range of hairstyles, like ponytails can help maintain the hairs smoothness and manageability, every day.
What is a Men’s Ponytail?
A men’s ponytail is a hairstyle that is mostly used on hair that is longer than the ear. It is not restricted to just long hair but the more hair available the easier the style is to do.
It involves sweeping the hair up and back off the face and catching it at the back of the head with an elasticated band to keep it together. The ponytail looks like a horse or pony’s tail, thus the name ponytail.
Types of Men’s Ponytails
The ponytail can be made to look a myriad of different ways depending on the occasion, the hair length and the personality of the wearer. Don’t be stuck with the same ponytail style every day. Here are our favourite types of men’s ponytail styles.
1High Men’s Ponytail
The high ponytail sits at the top of the wearers head and allows all the front fringe and tendrils to be captured in the band. This style is great for keeping hair off the face and neck when the weather heats up. When the ponytail is complete the band should be seen from the front.
2Side Men’s Ponytail
The side ponytail sits on either the right or left side of the head above the ear. It is best for men with longer hair or those who have a strong parting on one side. This style is effective for capturing long hair off the face and neck and as it is a little unusual is best worn by those who want to stand out from the crowd.
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3Half Men’s Ponytail
The half ponytail involves capturing only half the hair in the band and allowing the other half to hang loose or be styled in another way. This style looks great on men with both short and long hair and is effective for keeping hair at the front away from the face, so the wearers sight is uninhibited.
4Men’s Top Knot Ponytail
A top knot involves the hair being captured and brought back around on itself to form a loop. The top knot can be added to any men’s ponytail hairstyle as an additional way to contain the hair. The top knot must be fastened at the top or on the top half of the head.
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5Casual Men’s Ponytail
A ponytail can be worn as a casual hairstyle for going to the beach, the shops or to visit friends. Wear the band low, with a few strands falling around the ears, face and neck to make a casual hair style that looks good and accentuates the face.
6Formal Men’s Ponytail
A ponytail can be the answer for the next formal occasion. Pull all the hair tight and ensure it is smooth on the scalp. Make sure any loose strands of hair are captured in the band or smoothed flat onto the head. Use enough hair holding product to keep it in place and make it appear to have the wet look.
7Corporate Men’s Ponytail
Whilst a ponytail used in a corporate environment is not as stark as that in a formal setting, the trend is to have as much of the hair contained as possible. The wet look and the use of large amounts of product are not called for as a natural look is more appealing in the corporate setting.
8Men’s Loose Ponytail
A ponytail worn with a band that is not very tight and has some hair falling out is called a loose ponytail. They are usually worn low on the nape of the neck or the band can be further down the hair if it is longer. This ponytail is comfortable and easy to wear and is light enough to be worn without even feeling the hair.
9Low Men’s Ponytail
A low ponytail is worn on the neck or on top of the shoulders. It is more suitable for those with longer hair to ensure all pieces of hair are captured and tied back. If left loose it leaves the hair at the front soft, making the face appear friendlier and younger. If pulled back tight it is suitable for a formal or corporate experience too.
10Braided Men’s Ponytail
This ponytail starts as a braid and ends as a ponytail. To complete this look, start with a braid in the hair from the front hairline. Continue the braid until the point the ponytail is to start. Cease braiding and tie the remaining hair in a ponytail. This style adds a fresh take on a regular ponytail with the braid adding a different element.
11Dreadlock Men’s Ponytail
For those men who are sporting deadlocks in their hair, a ponytail is a great way to gather the hair together. A dreadlock ponytail will be thicker than a usual ponytail so ensure a larger elasticated band or tie is available to fasten it.
12Plaited Men’s Ponytail
Once the hair is tied into any of the ponytail styles, simply plait the remaining loose hair for this new style. Make a single plait or create a few depending on your personality and the occasion.
13Men’s Multiple Plait Ponytail
For a longer-term solution to tying back hair, first make small plaits or braids all over the head. Make sure all hair is contained in this way. With the hair plaited pull the various plaits into a ponytail style of your choosing. With this hairstyle the ponytail can be removed or changed but the plaits or braids can stay in for a few days before having to be removed.
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14Men’s Undercut Ponytail
If the hair is shaved or shorter on the bottom half of the head and longer on top, the hairstyle is an undercut and the undercut ponytail is required. This style involves taking the long hair on top of the head and tying it up in a ponytail so the shaved portion of hair underneath can be seen. This allows the wearer to show any patterning or style in his hair.
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15Men’s Bun Ponytail
A bun is similar to a topknot but the hair is wrapped around the band holding the ponytail and fastened so it doesn’t come loose or fall down. This style has all the hair very neatly contained on the head. In order to prevent the bun falling out, another elasticated band is wrapped around the bun or a hair net is used to really keep it contained. Styling pins or clips are also inserted into the bun to help keep it together.
16Men’s Whale Spout Ponytail
The ponytail is not just a hairstyle for long haired gentlemen, even those with short hair can dabble in a little ponytail fun. The whale spout ponytail happens when short hair is tied into a ponytail on the top of the head, think of a whale blow hole. The ponytail is often not very long as the hair contained within it is only of short or medium length.
17Short Hair Men’s Ponytail
Another ponytail that can be worn by those with shorter hair is one that sits at the back of the head. Any hair that can be tied together is collected and the rest remains as per its usual style. When wearing this ponytail, it is often hard to tell that a ponytail exists. When looking at the wearer front on the hair will appear to be the usual style. This suits those who want to wear their hair up, but want to remain conspicuous about it at the same time.
18Men’s Low Knot Ponytail
Just like the top knot, the hair in the low knot is brought back around itself and looped before being tied back. The difference here is the knot is not located on the top half of the head but rather at the back or lower half of the head.
19Curly Hair Men’s Ponytail
A ponytail is not just for straight or wavy hair; curly hair looks great in a ponytail too and can be done in any of the styles already mentioned. Tie the curls away from the face while the hair is dry or style it while wet. Keep curls safe from the weather and help prevent the hair becoming unwieldy and knotty, with a ponytail.
20Men’s Messy Bun Ponytail
When there is no time for product, or bands, or brushes but the hair needs to be organised, grab a large clip, pile it on top of the head and get on with the day or go back to bed. Looks great but takes no time.
21Men’s Half Top Knot Ponytail
This is the same as a half ponytail with the addition of the hair in the ponytail being placed in a top knot. This do is the perfect combination of two of the greatest ponytail styles into the one sleek look. It can be dressed up or down with any fashion look.
22Workout Men’s Ponytail
When heading to the gym, going for a run or doing any workout, a ponytail is the best hairstyle for keeping the locks away from the face and neck to help prevent excess sweating. Work out the body without worrying about your hair with a ponytail for the next visit to the gym.
23Reversible Men’s Ponytail
For a style that really gets attention, wear the ponytail at the front. Reverse the definition of ponytail by pulling the hair from the back to the front and tying it together. This style is not for the feint hearted, only the craziest men can pull this one off.
24Double Men’s Bun Ponytail
Why have one bun when you can have two? One holding the top part of the hair and the other holding the bottom half. An exciting twist on a classic look.
25Men’s Cap Ponytail
For those cap wearers out there, there is nothing worse than the cap not fitting because your hair gets in the way. To solve this simply put your hair through the hole at the back of the cap and you have an instantaneous way to wear long hair in a ponytail, with a cap.
26Middle Part Men’s Ponytail
Long hair often tends to naturally part in the middle making styling a little difficult. A ponytail solves that as it works well with any kind of part especially a middle one.
Get Styling
So, there it is, the best ponytail styles for men’s hair this year. Stock up on your hairbands and try out the styles, there are enough to keep hair looking fresh and original every day. The next time you go out, or stay in, put in a ponytail and be ready for anything.
Make sure you let us know how the styles go and if you come up with any new ones we would love to hear about them.
