Have you ever watched *Peaky Blinders* and thought, "Wow, that Tommy Shelby really knows how to carry himself, and his hair, well, it's just something else, isn't it?" You're not alone in that feeling, actually. Played by Cillian Murphy, Tom Shelby is a crime boss with a distinct sense of style, and his haircut is a big part of that powerful image. It's a look that commands attention, making him stand out in every scene, even when he’s not sporting his signature newsboy cap.
This particular cut, you know, it looks just as good now as it did a hundred years ago, truly. It’s a short crop with shaved sides and back, a style that has truly stood the test of time. The Thomas Shelby haircut is, in some respects, one of the most iconic haircuts in the entire show, perhaps even the most talked-about. It really defines his character, doesn't it?
So, if you’ve been thinking about trying a bold new look, one that brings a bit of that Birmingham swagger to your everyday, then you’re in the right spot. We’re going to explore everything about the Thomas Shelby haircut, from what it is to how it's styled, and why it remains such a popular choice for folks today. It’s a cool short style that features a very clear undercut, and we’ll get into all the specifics.
Table of Contents
- Who is Thomas Shelby?
- The Thomas Shelby Haircut: What It Is
- Getting the Thomas Shelby Look
- Why This Style Endures
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Thomas Shelby Haircut
Who is Thomas Shelby?
Thomas Shelby, or "Tommy" as many call him, is the main character in the much-loved series *Peaky Blinders*. He’s the cunning, often brooding, leader of the Peaky Blinders gang, a criminal organization based in post-World War I Birmingham, England. His journey from a street gang boss to a legitimate businessman and even a Member of Parliament is, well, pretty wild, actually. Tommy’s sharp mind and ambition are matched only by his incredibly sharp appearance, which includes his very famous haircut.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Michael Shelby |
| Alias | Tommy, Tom |
| Portrayed By | Cillian Murphy |
| Role | Gang leader, Criminal Businessman, Head of Shelby Company Limited |
| Signature Style | Sharp suits, newsboy cap, distinctive haircut |
The Thomas Shelby Haircut: What It Is
So, what exactly is this iconic hairstyle that Thomas Shelby sports? Basically, it’s a cool short style that features a bold undercut. This cut is often called a textured French crop, and it has this sharp undercut and a top that’s styled in a particular way. It’s quite a statement, really, and it’s why so many people are interested in it.
The gang leader and criminal businessman, Tommy, sports a short back and sides with a cropped top. It’s a very clean, yet tough, appearance. His cut, which looks just as good now as a hundred years ago, is a short crop with shaved sides and back. This contrast is what makes it so striking, you know?
The Distinctive Undercut
A major part of the Thomas Shelby haircut is its bold undercut. This means the sides and back of the head are cut much shorter than the hair on top. It’s a disconnected undercut, characterized by its shaved back and sides with a sharp contrast to the longer hair on top. Thomas wore his hair a bit longer on top, and the top part faded seamlessly into the undercut, which is a nice touch. For his style, you’ll typically want an undercut with number three sides, or even shorter, to get that stark difference.
The Textured Top
While the sides are very short, the hair on top is kept longer, which is a key part of the look. Thomas Shelby’s textured French crop is short on the back and sides, with long hair on top. For his slightly tousled style, you’ll want to keep this fairly long so that it can be brought to the front. Protagonist Tommy Shelby’s tousled crop and disconnected sides get the most attention, but it’s not the only influential *Peaky Blinders* trim, as we’ll see. The top is meant to have some movement and texture, not just lie flat.
Thomas vs. Arthur Shelby Hair
It’s interesting to compare Tommy’s hair with his brother Arthur’s, too. Unlike Tom, Arthur Shelby prefers to style his *Peaky Blinders* hair with a slick back undercut. Even though the sides and back are cropped too, they’re much shorter than Tom’s, and the top is slicked back rather than styled forward or tousled. This shows how even within the same family and show, there are variations on the undercut theme, which is pretty cool.
Getting the Thomas Shelby Look
If you're aiming to get the famous Thomas Shelby haircut from *Peaky Blinders*, there are a few things to keep in mind. You’ll want to ask your barber for a textured French crop with a short, tapered undercut. Make sure to specify that you want the sides and back very short, perhaps a number three clipper guard, or even shorter, for that bold, disconnected effect. The top, however, needs to be long enough to style, so you can push it forward or give it that slightly tousled appearance.
To achieve Thomas’s iconic hairstyle, it’s really about that contrast. The hair on top should be long enough to create some texture and movement, maybe two to four inches, so it can be styled forward into a short side fringe. This allows for that versatile, slightly messy, yet still sharp, appearance that Tommy often has when he’s not rocking a classic and cool newsboy cap. It’s a cut that requires a bit of styling, but nothing too complicated, honestly.
You can use a matte pomade or a styling cream to get that textured, slightly messy look on top. The goal is to make it look natural, not stiff or overly styled. Just work the product through your hair, pushing it forward and creating a bit of lift and separation. This will give you that authentic Thomas Shelby vibe, which is really what it's all about. Learn more about men's grooming on our site, and link to this page for more hair care tips.
Why This Style Endures
The Thomas Shelby haircut, you know, has truly captured the imagination of many, and it continues to be a very popular request at barbershops around the globe. Cillian Murphy’s hairstyle in *Peaky Blinders* as Thomas Shelby (aka “Tommy” Shelby) gets a lot of attention since he’s the leader of the cast, and Thomas Shelby’s haircut, well, it just sets the tone for the trend, doesn't it? It’s more than just a haircut; it’s a symbol of strength, rebellion, and a certain kind of classic cool.
Its enduring popularity is probably due to its unique blend of traditional and edgy elements. It’s clean and sharp, yet the disconnected undercut gives it a bold, modern feel, even though it’s inspired by a look from a hundred years ago. This makes it versatile enough for many different settings, from formal events to casual outings. It’s a style that, frankly, tells a story without saying a word, and that’s pretty powerful, too it's almost.
The appeal of this hairstyle also comes from the character himself. Tommy Shelby is a figure of power and influence, and people naturally want to emulate aspects of that. His hair, being such a visible part of his persona, becomes a way for fans to connect with the show and its distinctive aesthetic. It’s a testament to how much a character’s look can truly influence fashion trends, which is something we see often in popular culture. For more inspiration, you might check out other iconic looks from men's style guides.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Thomas Shelby Haircut
Here are some common questions people ask about the Thomas Shelby haircut:
What is the official name of Thomas Shelby's haircut?
The haircut Thomas Shelby wears is most commonly known as a textured French crop with a disconnected or tapered undercut. It's a short back and sides with a cropped, textured top, designed to be styled forward.
Is the Thomas Shelby haircut still in style today?
Absolutely! The Thomas Shelby haircut remains incredibly popular and stylish even today. Its classic yet bold design ensures it looks great in modern settings, making it a timeless choice for many. It's a rather enduring look, you know.
How do I ask my barber for the Thomas Shelby haircut?
When you visit your barber, ask for a "textured French crop with a disconnected undercut." Specify that you want the sides and back very short, like a number three clipper guard or even shorter, and that the top should be left longer, about two to four inches, for styling forward and creating texture.
