How to Pull off the Messy Ivy Hairstyle from Mark McNairy New Amsterdam
Designer Mark McNairy is known for the kind of menswear that draws upon classic prep staples but gives them a middle-finger attitude. Think cheeky graphic tees and sport shirts with loud patterns like polka dots and exploded gingham. He’s also known for his penchant for camouflage. Given that, it’s not surprising that the guys from Blind Barber thought this disheveled take on the old college cut was a perfect fit for the designer’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Co-founder Jeff Laub and Head Barber Rob McMillen tell us how to rock it right.
Here’s how to get the look.
The Inspiration: "Men’s hair has transformed from this sleek, structured hairstyle to a loose interpretation with more piecing--kind of like you’ve already had a rough day," says Laub.
This factored into how they styled the hair for McNairy’s male models: "For us, it was about keeping things a little bit looser, more natural, and adding a personal touch," says McMillen.
The Cut: "We’ve seen a lot of guys this year have their hair a bit more tapered and tidy on the sides, but at the top there’s no real direction other than a little bit of volume or sheen. It’s almost like a messy version of an Ivy League look," says Laub. What do you tell the barber? "Go for something that doesn’t expose skin, but takes volume off the side of the head to square off the jaw, and highlights the hair on top."
The Style: "Any type of water-based pomade or wax is a nice base. We have a medium hold wax and a strong hold pomade. Those two products in tandem with your day-to-day regimen can really work." suggests McMillen.
"Your hair should be about 70-80% towel dry, you want just a little bit of water left in so it’s more malleable," says Laub. "We always recommend starting with a dime or nickel-sized dollop. Emulsify it in your hands and work it into the roots, rather than just the tips--no one likes to play ’just the tip’ anyway--and the roots are what keeps your style in place."
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