The Haircut Story Site

From Junior School to Seniors by CrewCut Ken

It was England, the year was 1975 and I was 13, about to move from Junior to Senior school. Throughout juniors I had to wear short trousers, unlike most of my friends who wore trendy long flared trousers even for school. When I say short trousers they actually reached down to the middle of my knees, which accompanied by long knee-high dark grey socks ensured that only my knees were visible and were the only part of my legs to get a tan in the summer! But I was to be allowed my first pair of long trousers for the start of senior school.

Also unlike most of my fashionable friends, not only were my trousers short, but so was my hair. I went to the barbers with my dad every three-weeks and received a very old fashioned short back and sides. The sides were clipped to the skin as high as my temples at either side and clipped as high at the back. The top was always severely thinned out, blathered in hair tonic then scraped to the side with a ruler straight side parting. My friends on the other hand went to unisex salons and had long feathered locks.

A week before school was due to start, I went with my dad to purchase my new clothes for school. On our way dad said that we would go to the barbers first and I would get my back to school haircut. I asked that as I was getting long trousers could I also keep my hair a little longer. The answer was an un-resounding no and my dad got the barber to give me an even more brutal short back and sides than usual.

After the barbers we saw a school friend of mine and his dad on our way to the clothes shop, which was opposite the barbers. He had on a new pair of flared denim jeans, which his dad had bought him for starting senior school. As our new school did not have a uniform policy my friends would be able to wear what they liked, including flared jeans. I asked my dad if I could get jeans instead of school trousers, but as expected he refused. We entered the shop, which was an old fashioned gent's outfitters and dad went over to the school uniform section. I reminded him that the school did not have a uniform and asked again if I could get a pair of jeans like my friends. Again an absolute refusal and dad selected a pair of narrow legged dark grey school trousers (at least they were long trousers). Dad also bought me two grey school shirts, a grey tie and a grey sleeveless pullover. I thought I might get short socks to go with my long trousers, but dad selected the usual knee-high dark grey school socks, with two stripes on the turnovers.

We then went to pick out my outfits for PE and Games. Dad had said I could continue to wear my vest and underpants for PE, but needed a new pair of 'sannies' (sand-shoes or plimsolls). The standard plain black, slip-on variety were selected as usual. Dad said I could also wear these for Games, but would need a kit and football boots. A round necked, long sleeved dark green top was picked out along with a pair of black baggy shorts (again knee-length) and a pair or long woollen socks, which were also dark green. The football boots my dad selected were hideous, I was surprised the store still stocked them they were so old fashioned (in fact they were probably the same type my dad wore when he was at school!) Unlike modern football boots, which resembled trainers in style (other than the studs), these were actually boots that covered my ankles.

After paying for our purchases we went next door to the 'Clarks' shoe shop. Here I had my feet measured in the machine and dad selected the most old-fashioned shoes in the shop, plain black lace-ups with low heels.

The first day of school arrived and whilst I was pleased to have moved on from the short trousers, I would still be out of step and the only one of my friends to be wearing a uniform.

The new school was a little further away than the old junior school and I had arranged to cycle to one of my friends who lived closer and walk to the school with him from there. I parked my bike in his garden and knocked on the back door. He answered it dressed in flared jeans, a purple wide-collared paisley print shirt and a pair of fashionable trainers. His long feathered hair was immaculate and we couldn’t have looked more different.

We arrived at the school and assembled in the hall to be placed in our various classes. I looked around and I appeared to be the only boy in the entire non-uniform school not wearing jeans. I was also the only boy dressed entirely in 'school-grey', the only boy wearing a tie and I had the shortest haircut of anyone, by a long way.

I didn’t get put into a class with any of my friends or even other boys from my junior school. Every boy in my class had long hair and wore flared jeans and they all took the mick out of my haircut, trousers and shoes. I met up with my friends at lunch break and they had all got on well in their respective classes. At the end of the school day I walked with my friend back to his house and picked up my bike to cycle home. If I thought my day couldn’t get any worse I was wrong. My trouser leg got caught in the chain on my bike and I got thrown to the ground. My chain had come off, I had oil on my socks and my trousers were torn. I tried to get the chain back on my bike but it wouldn’t have it, so I had to walk it home.

When I wheeled my bike down the garden path my dad asked what had happened. I told him and when he saw the state of my trousers he gave me a serious bollocking, which was followed by six of the best with his leather belt across my bare bottom.

My mum looked at my trousers and said she would get her needle and thread out.

The next morning, I looked for my trousers but couldn’t find them. Dad said Mum had not been able to mend them and I would have to wear an old pair for the time being. I only had the one pair of long trousers and an old pair would mean a pair of the knee-length school trousers I had worn at junior school. Oh the joy, if the first day at school wasn’t bad enough I now had to endure the next day in short trousers. My friend even took the mick when I turned up at this house and the boys in my class were merciless.

I complained about it when I got home and asked for some more long trousers. My mum and dad said it would have to wait until the weekend, so I had the rest of the week to endure the torments in my knee-length trousers with knee-high socks.

Finally, the weekend arrived and dad took me to the gent's outfitters. I could not believe my misfortune as the shop did not have the trousers in my size and they would have to order them in. I would have to continue wearing the short trousers for the foreseeable future.

On leaving the shop dad said he needed a haircut and we headed to the barbers. There were two barbers that worked there, an uncle and his nephew. The nephew was in his fifties and the uncle in his seventies. Today it was just the uncle in the shop and the old man in his chair was having his hair severely clipped up the back and sides of his head, but nobody else was waiting. Dad hung up his jacket and we took seats. The barber soon finished with the old man, who had been given a really close haircut, with the back and sides actually shaved quite high and dad took his place. He always had a short back and sides, which on this occasion was even shorter than usual and as severe as the old man that had just left (the uncle always gave more severe haircuts than the nephew). He thanked the barber and got out of the chair, I got up and was about to leave, when dad said I needed to get in the chair and get tidied up. I tried to argue that I only had a haircut a couple of weeks ago, but dad was adamant. I got in the chair, the barber put the cape on and dad gave the instructions to cut it as short as his. The clippers roared to life and the little hair I had was soon history. The back and sides were already the shortest I ever had and the barber hadn’t finished yet. He spread shaving foam around my ears and the base of my hairline at the back and proceeded to shave with an old cut-throat razor, until my haircut matched my dad's and the old man before him. The barber asked my dad if it was short enough and unbelievably dad asked the barber to shave it even higher. The barber then spread more shaving foam around my ears and at the back. He then shaved a good inch above my ears and the same height straight around the back. The barber then took his clippers and clipped the hair at the back and sides above the shaved areas. He put his clippers back and picked up his thinning shears, with which he attacked the top to such an extent that when he combed my hair he was unable to make a parting. He then combed my hair forward and snipped my fringe high on my forehead. He then cut more of the length on the top so that it was a uniform length, the same length as the short fringe he had just created and then combed my hair forward without a parting. This was the shortest haircut I had ever had, actually more like a crewcut than my usual short back and sides and I could imagine the reaction from my class at school. My hair was cropped extremely short and I still had to wear the knee length shorts with long socks.

As expected the torments were ceaseless on my first day back at school, but eventually subsided. I got my long trousers the following weekend and made sure I wore 'bike-clips' whenever I rode my bike! The haircut on the other hand was to stay, as dad made sure I always got the uncle and a good scalping ensued!

Comments
My girlfrend shaved some of my hier when i was asleep and she says it all needs shaving
by Anon on 03 Oct 2024
I'm 15 yards old and whouuld love the disaplin of being put back in shorts to school and a short hier cut whish I had a strict mum that whould do that
by Ken on 11 Oct 2023
Anyone else remember the disappointment as you were given black slip on plimsolls instead of trainers
by Timothy on 10 Oct 2023
I come out school outfiters in the shorts and to girls form school seen me tuke a pic put it on Facebook so when I got home my mum set it you whont puting in short I could of saved my money and got them instead of long ones so now all your long pants up stores have been cut to shorts and if you going to dress as a ten yare old sit on that Cher iv got just the hier cut for you boy the clipper whent up the Bach of my head and sides I'm crying right now jim
by Jim on 10 Jun 2022
Judging by the similarly near incomprehensible level of English and odd obsession with school uniform in their comments, I assume that Mark and Jim are the same person. I don't see what place such contributions have on a site that is supposed to be about haircuts. I thought it would be the job of admin to filter out disturbing rubbish like this.
by Anon on 09 Jun 2022
Im 16 yares old and whould love to wher gray school whit knee sock so i come up whit a plan i whould go to school outfiters on the way to school whit a enverlop as if it was form my mumit say can you fit myson up whit gray shorts and knee sokcs to put in shop and take his logs and put in the bin thank mark mum so before i new it i was in school outfiter giving my enverlop to a lady in the shop odare you must of upset your mun to be put back shorts come whit me we will get you in them and off to school before you much later i sade to the lade in the shop can i have my long pants to take home in she sed ther the bin ande the binmen have just gon so off ypu go to school whots my mates go to say when i get to whots my mum go to say?
by Mark on 08 Jun 2022
I resentlay whent on the net looking for a hademaster for adult schoolboys im 22 yares old but look much youger so one morronig set off to meet hem i met hem in manchester if he was to be my headmaster i whould have to dress whot he put me in for the 6 moths and do whot he says at all times so i sed yes cos it was whot i whonted so off we whentto school outfiters when we got in ther he sed stop ther by the changing room and about 10 mines latre come over to me whit a full school unfuorm to put on so i whent in changing room past my clothes out to hem and then gave me back the unfiorm told me put in on and come out of chaging w
by Jim on 08 Jun 2022
My girlfriend sede let rays some money for children in need I said how you could go to school dresst in short whit knee sock I was 16 years old at the time nearly 17 so when I was at her house she told her mum about it she seems a good ideaer me my girlfriend and her mum when to the school unfiorm shop and I got gray shorts and knee sock I stopped at my girlfriend house on Sunday night in sper room and when I got up at side of the bed laid the shorts and sock my cloth had gone I come down stairs and that when it hit me my mum and her mum was there this how you will be going to school from now on and till you grow up and stop telling lies and stuff I can't believe that my girlfriend whould trick me like that but she just looked at me and side you look very nice littul boy she all so give me up and side if hern your long pants Back this year I mite give you a second chance
by Jim on 19 Dec 2021
All boys should have the shortest back and sides possible or short short buzzcuts. Also boys should be in Uniforms - White or Navy Polo shirts buttoned up tight tight to the neck. With a v neck sweater or sweater vest tucked in. Wearing khaki shorts with white tube socks pulled up high with brown dress shoes.
by Team Top Button on 10 Oct 2021
This is a good story, I thoroughly enjoyed it as I can relate growing up in those years. Reading the comments is what is shocking. Not so much as what they say but how they are trying to say it. Susan, Keven, and Vivian are either illiterate or find it way to difficult to use spell check. If English is not your language then don't use it, write in the language you are fluent in speaking. A kid in kindergarten knows the difference between "son" and "sun", also "two", "to", and "too". CrewCut Ken, you did a great job on this story, I don't want you to think my complaint is with you because it isn't. Bad grammar is definitely one of my pet peeves.
by M DeMarlo on 08 Oct 2021
My sun is 15 and he side he whont shorts for is that a good thing I'm not convinced he a big boy and I do not think that have shorts he size
by Susan on 04 Oct 2021
I hate been if in shorts so I told mum I will be good if she got me thum longs when I got back from school too day she side I got you thum more trouse thanks mum I side wher are they up stars so I whent to get them and ther they was to more short pants my mum sede when you leave school you can by thum longs
by John on 01 Sep 2021
I was late to school this morning and this is because my mum tuke me to 247 school uniform I was put back in short trousers for school I not looking forward to school my mates will take the Mikey as I'm 5foot6 and 15 years old
by John on 28 Aug 2021
No way my mum as just got me short pants for school and knee sock I will not be adhering them no way she says we will see
by Keven on 18 Jun 2021
I off to schoolout filters mum says I will be coming home in shorts hope she' is just trying to make me behave better I'm 15 yards old
by Keven on 18 Jun 2021
In the late 70s and early 80s uniform at our school was supposed to be mandatory but most flaunted the rules and didn't wear it properly except for those few boys who had strict parents who had them keep their hair tidy too. No where near a clippered short back and sides though. You just didn't see boy's nor mens ears.

I had at 14 years floppy thick hair and was one of those who bent the school uniform rules and would hang around in a crowd. Some of which would be up to no good and in some kind of trouble.

I wasn't happy though. I would get hard thinking of going to a traditional Barber shop wearing a starched white shirt and Windsor knotted tie and trousers and shoes then asking him for a short back and sides, razor shaven well above the ears and high up the back.

So I bought some new white shirts, got a new school tie and a pair of black leather shoes. Put them all on making sure my collar was crisp, my Windsor tie knott perfect and pulled up and on very firmly, went to the Barber and boy,he wet shaved up the back and sides of my head way too much high. From long fashionable hair to a point whereby the majority of my head was bald. I so looked out of sync with everyone and a tottal nerd. I regretted what I'd done and felt self conscious and stupid. I'd mostly get stared at and whispered about. Laughed at as well,especially by students and some teachers.

But I stuck with it, I'd gotten rid of most of my casual clothes so, gradually keeping my uniform on after school. I got a weekend job so wore my shirt and tie then too. I was wearing a shirt and tie all day every day and went regularly to the Barber to be trimmed and back and sides clean shaven. Tottaly obsessed and freaky. To this day when people suggest I loosen my tie and collar a bit I always refuse.

What kept me being so strict on myself was the masterbation side.I never stopped. I've remained a shirt and tie man ever since.

by mann on 22 Apr 2021
Funny how times have changed , now nearly all schools seem to have a strict uniform policy so at least no boy has to feel uncomfortable being the odd one out , a good thing i think , and nearly all boys want short haircuts , in fact some boys now are excluded for having too short a haircut , so it seems that schools just can't stand kids being happy or feeling good in themselves . Short hair meant smart , smarter meant even shorter.. How things have changed, i wonder if short haircut fetishes will die out because of this
by SB&s on 19 Apr 2021
Any bad comments about this one?
by School grey shorts on 03 Feb 2021
No unisex barbers for boys in 1975 as far as i can remember. Just good old fashioned barbers.
by Gk on 14 Dec 2020
Cannot believe my look my son's 15 today and becas the high school he goes to chagend uniform rules to allow shorts but only in summer time I ask if I can send hem in shorts now they side it's up to me so becose he is beening bad boy he's going to be treated like one I whont out to school shop to day and got hem to phirs of short gray 5 pairs of keen socks cut up all is long trouser so we will sea if he starts to grow up now thanks viviane
by Viviane on 05 Nov 2020
Back from school hope mum as got me some long pants or my friends will me in the blue cord shorts mum got me whit throes long gray sockets will look like a little boy
by Paul on 18 Sep 2020
Forest day in my gray short pants to school today all my mate made fun of me I told them not happy whit my mum
by Paul on 17 Sep 2020
Big shock to day come home from school to find all my long trouser cut up and replaced with to piers of cord short pants and three gray school shorts and knee sock no way I'm going to school in them my mum says we will see cos ther no more long pants eny more for me
by Paul on 16 Sep 2020
My mum says if misbehav I will be put back in short pants to school I'm 15 don't think school will let her so I'm not boverd I can do whot I whot
by Paul on 14 Sep 2020
Janet yes please i would love that. just make sure i get a proper short back and sides. usa or uk.
by Dagenh on 30 Jun 2020
Dag when they open I will take you in full school uniform it will be the shortlist hier cut you have ever had
by Janet on 29 Jun 2020
Looking for some one to put me in short pants school u nfiorm for is that you
by Jack on 27 May 2020
The big problem in uk at the moment is that barbers are not open due to covid19 virus. My hair is getting way too long and i'd actually like a short back and sides.

by Dagenh on 10 May 2020
Dagenh that can be dun on if or but
by Janet on 08 May 2020
Janet, you sound like a very strict woman. yes please that's exactly what I want it will be like a dream come true. I want you to be in charge and tell the barber extra short back and sides for me and appointment every 3 weeks without fail , then out in public in short trousers so everyone can see my clipper sides and neck, a bare bottom spanking if I answer you back and bedime at 7 o'clock.
by Dagenh on 07 May 2020
Dagehn if that whot you like that's whot I whould do and you whould be made to dress like that till I say divrent is that ok
by Janet on 06 May 2020
Janet, I'd like you to take me to your barber fir a short back and sides please then school outfitters put me back into short trousers, even better if you are wearing a blouse I actually like women to be in charge.
by Dagenh on 01 May 2020
Janet, I'd like you to take me to your barber fir a short back and sides please then school outfitters put me back into short trousers, even better if you are wearing a blouse I actually like women to be in charge.
by Dagenh on 01 May 2020
Janet, you should probably leave your son's education to someone with better spelling skills or have him review and correct your posts before you hit enter.
by Spell Checker on 27 Apr 2020
My son is 15 and would love to see hem back in short grey school pants but I'm not shor if I shud just do it whot do you think

by Janet on 27 Apr 2020
Think your girlfriend whonted a younger boyfriend John get some long when you go home and get new girlfriend
by Steve on 26 Apr 2020
When to my girlfriend house to day and her mum sed that I looks like I could do whit a hier cut and my girlfriend aged so she sed whiy not you let my mum do it for you so she called my mum and ask and she side yes so I sat at the kitchen chier and my girlfriend tuke her mum out of the room and when they come back in the kitchen my girlfriend smile at me as her mum tuke the hier clipper and give a very short back and side I fort my girlfriend like long hier that's not all she whonted short as I was to stop over her house to night in reverent room but I sed I have not got my uniform for to mos I've got shirt and jumper that will fit you and mum's going to school outfitters so she can pick you up pants and sock can't you mum are you sheer love she side to my girlfriend yes mum just like the ones I side get hem so when we when to bed and got up I got the shock of my life to find short grey pants and long grey socks and my over cloth gone and my girlfriend mum thawing come on get fresh we don't whont to be late but these are short pants I where long one not to you don't John my girlfriend mailed yes not today john
by John on 26 Apr 2020
Teen baber how can i get my mum to put me back in long trouers agin a d let grow my hier back eny advies
by Steve on 19 Jan 2020
It was a bad frest day trern out my girlfrend found out week before i had been kissing her mate and the unfiorm and hier cut was reveng and she as finist we me now but mum stuk by her and says now im in shorts till i leve school mum as cut up all my clothes and i only have shorts to wher and keen socks i ges if i dont start a trend iv lernt a lesen 5feet 7 boy in shorts know chans of geting girlfend now drest like this
by Steven on 18 Jan 2020
Not sure if you will start a trend but it doesn’t matter if you are happy with it that’s what’s important. Keep us updated how it goes :-)
by Teen_Barber on 10 Jan 2020
Thank teen barber got my first day back at school to mos whit my short pants unfiorm and a very short back and sides I will the only boy forest like this whis me look my girlfrend sed I look very smart don't no if she latching at me her and my mum says I will set the trend for all at school whot do you think remember I am 15 years old
by Steven on 05 Jan 2020
Steven, be great to have ya in the chair but I’m sure you can find a good barber to give ya a nice shirt back and sides around where you live; might be your best bet to avoid a mom haircuts :-) Don’t feel to self conscious about it my 12,14 and 17 year olds all have a short back and sides to one degree or another; it will make you look smart in your new uniform
by Teen_Barber on 04 Jan 2020
Anon I whont to meat you I will take to school outfiters and put you in short and then barbers home schooing then bed at 7pm every night
by Janet goodwin on 31 Dec 2019
Team top but on on my unfiorm gray short and socks whit red strips well that whot iv see so fare not looking very good for a Tall boy to dress in to school but I whont to my girlfrend so I will do it
by Steven on 28 Dec 2019
Thank teen barber whould love for you to cut my hier not mum
by Steven on 28 Dec 2019
Anon I would put you in full short pants unfiorm and give you that hier cut
by Janet goodwin on 28 Dec 2019
Steven, you aren’t too old for a short back and sides. Sounds like a good home haircut is i your near future.
by Teen_Barber on 28 Dec 2019
So my girlfrend as now come up whit a pher of hier clippers and told my mum it mite by good if I have a very short back and side I'm 15 yare old not iv sed I whould wher shorts to school but not cut my hier like a littul boy
by Steven on 27 Dec 2019
So a star new yare my girlfrend got her way my mum's geting me gray shorts for school not looking forward to going in them but my girlfrend say I will site them
by Steven on 26 Dec 2019
Steven. You should definitely go back to wearing shorts. As long as you wear a polo style shirt buttoned up tight to the neck -and knee high socks (Preferably White) and slides or formal shoes.
by Team Top Button on 23 Dec 2019
My girlfrend at school says I whould look smart back in gray short pants should I do it
by Steven on 22 Dec 2019
Mum's known best for son's to wear shorts for school
by Anon on 05 Nov 2019
I'm puting my sun back in shorts pants and I don't mind d if higth school says know if bort them now and he will be in them tomorrow
by Gemma on 02 Jul 2019
I am 15 and mum as got me shorts for school to mos I'm very up set
by Steven on 02 Jun 2019
I should love to be made to dress like that and be given that hier cut
by John on 02 Jun 2019
Mum put me in shorts at 14 and my girlfriend stoped going out whit me become she dos not go out whit small boys
by John on 04 Jan 2019
I have a very short crew cut and have to get it cut every two weeks. I also have a school uniform. Polo shirt buttoned up tight to the neck with a V neck sweater or sweater vest on cool days,with khaki shorts and white knee socks and Brown shoes. I’m a little guy I’m fifteen but I look like I’m ten.
by Thomas on 26 Nov 2018
I was put in shorts as a punishment at 15 in 1978 and a sort back and sides my then girlfriend stuck by me and we are still to fever but if I do someing she dos not like I gud end up back in short as well as that heir cut
by John on 08 Jul 2018
I was 12 in 75 . The idea of a strict oldfashioned farther/barber would of filled me with dread plus being made to wear short trousers and knee socks and the most severe short back and sides. but now however at 55 i love the whole scenario. I clipper and shave my own hair . Barbers just don't cut it short enough.....marvelous..
by Gk on 30 May 2018
I’m made to always wear high white tube socks.The only socks I have. Some with and without stripes. And of course really short hair. Cut every two weeks at the most.
by Timmy on 03 Apr 2018
Love this story, would have loved for someone to treat me like this'
by Anon on 04 Nov 2017
Brilliant detailed story as if I was there
by Anon on 24 Jul 2017
Well i like high shaved back and sides but not as much as crewcuts, but i must say i love the fact that someone is VERY strict with the haircut of someone who loves.
by Joshua on 15 Jul 2017
Sehr gute Geschichte.
Es gefiel mir sehr zu lesen, wie der Vater bestimmend die Schulkleidung für seinen Sohn ausgesucht und gekauft hat, wie die langen Socken usw.
Auch der extrem, perfekte kurze Haarschnitt, ( 1 Zentimeter über den Ohren) ist ein perfekter Schuljungen - Haarschnitt.
Perfekt wäre noch eine passende altmodische Schulmütze (Kappe) zu der Schulkleidung gewesen.
Vielen Dank für die gute Geschichte.
Bitte weiter schreiben.
by Kurzhaarfreund on 08 Jul 2017
Great story. I'm the same age as you and my mum used to take me to an ex-army barber for a severe back and sides once a month. She I was 18 I went back there and he cut my hair in exactly the same way.... I think he recognised me as one of his schoolboy victims.
by Anon on 08 Jul 2017
I like very much this story ! Very realistic !
by thadeusz on 08 Jul 2017
I really like both your stories. The mid 1970's is when I grew up. I had my dad take me to the barbers several times and I was sheared up the back and sides. At the time I hated it!
by Jonathan on 07 Jul 2017