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The Edgar cut has exploded in popularity in recent years, becoming a cultural phenomenon among young Latino men. Characterized by a blunt fringe and faded undercut sides, this stylish yet controversial edgar hairstyle has a rich history intertwined with Latino identity.
What is an Edgar haircut?
The Edgar is a short men’s haircut featuring very short back and sides with longer hair on top and a straight, blunt fringe covering the forehead. It is related to the classic Caesar cut but has more of a contrast between the long hair up top and the faded sides.
The bangs are cut straight across the forehead, usually just above the eyebrows, creating a strong line framing the face. The back and sides are buzzed or faded up to the textured fringe on top.
This cut creates an eye-catching juxtaposition between the very short sides and longer top. The edgy contrast and angled fringe give the Edgar haircut a bold, youthful statement style.
It’s like a mix of an undercut and a bowl cut. The name Edgar comes from its popularity among Latino youth culture. Overall, it’s a modern, edgy hairstyle for men.
Looking for edgar cut ideas?
Learn about the latest edgar haircut trends for men in 2024 here.
The Origins and History of the Edgar Haircut
Though the Edgar haircut only gained widespread fame in the last few years, its origins can be traced back centuries. Many historians believe it evolved from the hairstyles worn by the Jumano Native American tribes, who populated parts of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico from the 1500s to 1700s.
Jumano men often styled their straight, dark hair with short cropped sides and straight bangs across the forehead – very similar to the modern Edgar. “The Edgar continues a tradition dating back over 500 years,” explains cultural historian David Ortiz. “Today’s Latino youth are unconsciously echoing the style of their tribal ancestors.”
The Edgar later reemerged in a new form in Latino barbershops and communities in the mid-20th century before exploding via social media. But its ties to indigenous culture remain strong, even if unspoken. “When I see guys today rocking the Edgar fiero, I know it comes from our deep roots,” says Sal Gonzales, Jumano descendent.
Why “Edgar”?
The distinctive name Edgar has cemented itself as shorthand for this haircut style. But where does the unusual moniker come from?
Many attribute it to Mexican-American former baseball superstar Edgar Martínez, who sported a similar hairstyle during his long career with the Seattle Mariners.
“Edgar Martínez had the biggest profile of any Latino athlete in the 90s,” points out sports historian Gabriella Nuñez. “For young Latinos, he was an idol. The Edgar haircut let them feel that connection.”
References to Martínez occur across social media. “Shout out to Edgar Martínez, who my papí always said was the GOAT,” writes one user under his Edgar haircut selfie. Martínez remains an inspirational figure for Latinos today.
However, others postulate indigenous roots for the name as well. “Edgar echoes the sound of the Aztec god Huitzilopochtli,” claims mythology buff Carmen Ixca. “I like to imagine today’s youth are channeling an ancient warrior spirit.”
While its exact origins remain contested, Edgar undoubtedly resonates as a concept. “It just fits this haircut, hombre,” laughs Edgar haircut enthusiast Julio Montoya. “It’s like, I’m rockin’ the Edgar! You just know what it means.”
The Meaning and Symbolism of the Edgar Haircut
Beyond its signature style, the cultural significance of the Edgar lies deep. For young Latino men, it has become an emotive symbol of identity.
Heritage
The Edgar visually links today’s Latinos to traditions stretching back centuries. “It’s a connection to our ancestors,” shares Edgar devotee Miguel Ortiz. “My indigenous forefathers wore this cut with pride.”
This nostalgic association empowers Latinos disconnected from their homeland. “Even if you’ve never been to Mexico, the Edgar says ‘I know where I’m from,’” notes cultural studies professor Juan Garcia. “It’s a way to honor your roots.”
Strength
The Edgar projects confidence and machismo. Its dramatic shape and sharp lines emote power and command attention.
“It’s an aggressive style. The front says ‘I’m not backing down,’” explains fashion historian Maria Calderon. She likens today’s Edgar to the intimidating Mohawk hairstyles worn by Aztec warriors centuries ago.
This sense of hardened toughness appeals to young men. “The Edgar says I’m a guy you don’t mess with,” shares 15-year-old Diego Ramirez. For him, like many, the cut provides a visual display of masculine bravado.
Rebellion
Choosing the Edgar allows Latino youth to rebel against societal expectations to assimilate or fit in. “It lets you stand out rather than conform,” says Latino studies expert Emilio Fuentes.
The style empowers them to take pride in the parts of their ethnicity often denigrated in mainstream American culture – and confront people’s prejudices head on.
“The Edgar is like a defiant middle finger to anyone who treats me different,” declares young Edgar wearer Alonzo Ruiz. “It’s saying I don’t have to fit your rules.”
This emboldened resistance is a large part of the cut’s appeal. It lets young Latinos wear their identity boldly in a culture where they are often marginalized.
The Edgar hairstyle and Technique
Beyond its cultural weight, the Edgar is also a carefully crafted edgar hairstyle requiring skill to execute. Here’s an overview of what defines this eye-catching look:
The Signature Fringe
The most dramatic feature of the Edgar is the straight, blunt bangs extending across the forehead, usually just above the eyebrows. This straight edgar fringe is cut cleanly at a strict 90 degree angle.
“The strong line of the fringe is integral to the look,” explains stylist Valeria Lopez. “It makes a bold statement by itself.” She adds that thick, straight hair textures are ideal to achieve the needed density.
Short Sides
In contrast to the longer top, the hair on the sides and back is kept extremely short. This is usually achieved through very tight high fade, bald fade, taper, or undercut that exposes the sides of the head.
Barber Juan Diego explains his technique: “I’ll fade the sides down to the skin to really accentuate that top fringe. The lower I fade it, the sharper the look.”
Styling Versatility
While the fringe and faded sides are constant, the length and styling of the top hair allows for variation. It can be worn longer and messy, spiked up, or slicked back.
“Guys get creative styling the top how they want,” Lopez says. “You get to put your own spin on the classic Edgar shape.”
This versatility enables guys to customize the cut to best suit their personal edgar style and hair texture while retaining the iconic Edgar silhouette. For inspired ideas, check out this Edgar cut for Men guide.
The Viral Spread of the coolest edgar haircuts
The Edgar exploded from obscurity thanks to 21st century social media. Young Latinos pushed the style into the mainstream and turned an ironic meme into a cultural sensation:
Tumblr and Twitter
In the early 2010s, images of young Hispanic men sporting Edgars circulated on Tumblr and Twitter, often initially posted as jokes. But instead of getting discouraged, Edgar wearers adopted the hashtag #EdgarCut and began posting proud selfies.
Memes
As the trend grew, memes spread linking the Edgar to gang culture and juvenile delinquents. But once again, those being parodied subverted expectations by owning the joke and spreading their own Edgar memes.
“They took back control of the narrative,” recounts social media scholar Elena Chavez. She views this defiant adoption by Edgar wearers as instrumental in popularizing the cut.
YouTube Tutorials
Young men created YouTube tutorials teaching how to style and achieve the Edgar haircut. These videos made the underground style popular. “We wanted to show it isn’t just for cholos,” explains Edgar. “It’s a cool cut for anyone who wants to reps their Latino culture.” For step-by-step guidance, check out this How to Get Edgar Cut Video Guide.
TikTok
The Edgar has blown up on TikTok recently, with Gen Z Latinos showing off their own fierce versions of the cut in viral videos. The #EdgarHaircut tag has over 300 million views on the platform.
“Gen Z latinos are crazy for the Edgar right now,” confirms hairstylist Luis Campos. “It’s the biggest hair trend on TikTok this year.”
Celebrity Adopters
As online buzz grew, Latino celebrities like Bad Bunny, Becky G, and Omar Apollo began sporting designer versions of the cut. Their endorsement pushed the Edgar fully into the zeitgeist.
“When you see your favorite reggaeton singer rocking an Edgar fiero, of course all the fans are gonna want it too,” explains pop culture expert Camila Guzman.
This celebrity cachet cemented the Edgar’s popularity and took it global. It’s now one of the coolest edgar haircuts and most requested styles.
Controversy and Pushback
Like many youth-led trends, the widespread adoption of the Edgar has caused some controversy, often fueled by racial and cultural misunderstandings:
School Bans
Citing dress code violations, some schools have banned students wearing the Edgar cut. Most famous was the case of 17-year-old high school senior Miguel Fernandez, who successfully won the right to keep his Edgar after a lengthy legal battle.
“They said it was a gang symbol just because of my skin,” Fernandez told reporters. “But I was representing my culture, not any gang.”
Racial Profiling
Unfortunately, the Edgar’s rise in popularity has also led to incidents of racial profiling. Multiple Latino men report being stereotyped as criminals or asked to leave establishments just for sporting the signature cut.
“It’s blatant racism,” asserts George Rodriguez, unfairly ejected from a restaurant. “They took one look at my Edgar and assumed I was some kind of thug.”
Generational Divide
Often most vocally opposed to the Edgar are older Latinos who view the style as unserious or unprofessional. Many express concern their sons are embracing a “delinquent” culture by adopting the look.
“There’s a generational divide,” explains psychologist Luis Diaz. “Older generations faced pressure to conform, so to them, the Edgar feels rebellious. But to youth today, it’s a way to proudly celebrate who you are.”
This culture clash has led to familial conflicts, but the numbers of Edgar converts continue to grow. It’s now one of the top types of men’s haircut and most requested cuts.
The Edgar: Not Just a Haircut, a Cultural Phenomenon
Like punk rock and hip hop before it, what began as an underground style has blossomed into a full cultural movement. The Edgar has gone from disparaged to celebrated, outcast to mainstream.
But at its heart, it remains an expression of identity and heritage. Donning the distinct cut allows young Latinos to embrace the parts of their ethnicity derided by others and celebrate who they are.
“My Edgar says to the world, ‘I know you might judge me for my skin or think I’m less than you because of where I come from, but I don’t care,’” shares 19-year-old college student Hector Lopez. “It makes me walk proud every day.”
This unapologetic self-assurance is why many believe the Edgar is no passing trend, but just hitting its stride. Its meaning and attraction keep increasing.
“The Edgar isn’t going anywhere,” asserts style writer Claudia Nunez. “This generation is only getting started in claiming their cultural power.” From barbershops to social media, street corners to runways, the iconic cut flexes that growing muscle more boldly every day.
For inspiration on styling your Edgar fiero, check out these examples of the Fluffy Edgar Cut. It’s one of the top versions of the style right now.
Edgar Haircut FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Edgar haircut phenomenon:
What does the name Edgar mean?
While the exact origins are uncertain, most believe “Edgar” references Mexican-American baseball legend Edgar Martínez because of his similar hairstyle.
Where did the trend start?
The modern Edgar haircut is thought to have originated in Latino communities in Texas, California and New Mexico in the early 2010s before catching fire nationally via social media.
Who wears the Edgar cut?
While strongly associated with Latino culture, the Edgar is sported by youth of diverse ethnicities. However, its styling does work best on straight, thick hair textures.
Is the Edgar linked to gang culture?
No – this is a common misconception. While some gang members may wear Edgars, it is fundamentally a mainstream cultural and fashion trend popularized by ordinary youth.
Isn’t the Edgar banned in many schools?
Yes, some schools controversially prohibit the Edgar cut due to outdated prejudices. But many institutions now recognize bans on ethnic hairstyles as discriminatory and allow the style.
What’s the difference between an Edgar and a fade?
While both feature very short sides, the Edgar incorporates the signature blunt fringe bangs and longer top, creating a more dramatic silhouette.
How do you ask for an Edgar from your barber?
Show a reference photo of the style. Specify you want a straight, heavy fringe over the forehead with faded or undercut sides. Styling the top height is your preference.
What’s the best hair type for an Edgar?
Coarse, straight hair provides the best texture to achieve the blunt fringe look. However, all hair types can be adapted to create a version of the Edgar.
The Edgar haircut remains controversial but undeniably represents a powerful sense of identity for the Latino community. This modern symbol connects today’s youth to centuries of cultural heritage – and empowers them to proudly claim it as their own. Edgar cut on track to become one of the most popular.
