Dappered Classics: Sideburn Length

How to find the perfect Sideburn Length

Originally Published 1/26/2010

Too short and you start looking like you’re six years old.  Too long and you start looking like you just fell out of the 1860s.  Here’s a way we can all make sure our sideburns are neither too long or too short:

Trim them so they stop around the mid point of your tragus.

Your tragus.  It’s part of your ear.  Both ears in fact.  Easy enough to see in the mirror so you should get an even length on each side barring any sort of strange ear placement issues you might have.

It’s the east side flesh cul-de-sac on your right ear.  Or the west side on…  Oh hell, it’s tough to explain.  Lower left.  Take a look at the picture.

It’s an easy landmark on your face to use to even them out.

That, and trimming them to the mid point of your tragus will ensure they aren’t super short or super long.

Is this a hard and fast rule for everyone?  No.  But for the vast majority of us who just want a way to get them even while not making a fashion statement it works.

Keep an eye on them, since between haircuts they’ll start to creep on you.  And if you’re looking for suggestions on what to trim them up with, we like these three devices.