15 Tom Brady Hairstyles and How to Pull Off Each One

Here’s something most barbers won’t tell you: Tom Brady’s styles are some of the most universally wearable celebrity cuts out there. Unlike flashier athlete looks, Brady sticks to clean, structured styles that work in an office, on a date, or at the gym. That’s why I get more requests for “the Brady” than almost any other athlete.

Here are 15 of his most notable looks across 23 NFL seasons — what makes each one work, what to ask your barber, and which styles suit your hair type and face shape.

Tom Brady’s Career And Style Evolution

Brady’s hair journey mirrors his unprecedented NFL career—starting simple and functional, evolving into more experimental phases during his prime, then settling into refined elegance. His willingness to embrace longer styles in the mid-2000s helped shift perceptions of quarterback aesthetics from military-clean to model-worthy. Each era brought distinct looks that influenced not just sports culture but mainstream men’s grooming trends.

On And Off The Field Looks

The contrast between Brady’s game-day and off-field styles shows his understanding of context. On the field, functionality rules with products that withstand helmet wear and four quarters of action.

Off-duty, he experiments with texture, length, and more fashion-forward styling. This duality has made him a grooming icon who proves athletes can master both practical and polished looks.

Early Patriots Buzz Cut

Brady’s 2000-2001 rookie look featured a grade 2-3 buzz cut that screamed backup quarterback trying to fit in. This no-nonsense style required zero maintenance beyond bi-weekly trims.

The simplicity matched his underdog status—functional, forgettable, and focused solely on football. Looking back, this humble beginning makes his style evolution even more remarkable.

2001 Super Bowl Champion Flow

After becoming starter, Brady grew his hair to a medium-length layered cut that hinted at confidence. The 2-3 inch length on top with natural movement became his first signature look.

This style required minimal product—just towel-dry and go. The slightly longer length framed his face better and coincided with his emergence as a clutch performer.

Mid-2000s Longer Layers

Between 2004-2006, Brady embraced 3-4 inch layers with side-swept styling that defined his dynasty years. This look required blow-drying with a round brush and light-hold mousse for volume.

The longer length showed growing confidence as he transitioned from game manager to superstar. Weekly trims kept the layers fresh while maintaining movement.

2007 Perfect Season Surfer Hair

Brady’s most dramatic transformation came with shoulder-length waves during the historic 18-1 season. Growing for over a year, this surfer-inspired style required sea salt spray and air-drying for natural texture.

The flowing locks coincided with record-breaking offensive numbers. Despite the Super Bowl loss, this remains his most talked-about hair era.

2010 Bieber-Inspired Sweep

Post-injury comeback Brady returned with a forward-swept fringe reminiscent of peak Bieber fever. The 4-5 inch front length required straightening and precise cutting for the swept effect.

This youthful style at age 33 showed Brady’s awareness of pop culture trends. Achieving this look needs medium-hold cream and daily blow-dry styling.

2011 Flowing Locks Era

Brady doubled down on length with chin-length layers that moved freely during games. This rock-star inspired look required quality conditioner and anti-frizz serum for helmet management.

The commitment to growing through awkward phases showed confidence. Maintenance included monthly trims to prevent split ends while preserving length. This era proved NFL quarterbacks could embrace unconventional styles.

2013 Slicked Back Undercut

A dramatic shift to a disconnected undercut marked Brady’s style maturation. The sides were taken to a grade 2 while keeping 4-5 inches on top for slicking back.

This Great Gatsby-inspired look required pomade for shine and hold. The sophisticated style coincided with his marriage to Gisele influencing his fashion choices.

2015 Deflategate Court Appearance Style

During legal proceedings, Brady sported a conservative side part with medium length on top. The 3-inch professional cut was blow-dried smooth with subtle volume.

This boardroom-appropriate style used matte paste for natural finish without shine. The calculated presentation showed Brady understood image management beyond the field.

2017 Super Bowl LI Textured Quiff

The comeback victory featured Brady with a modern textured quiff styled upward and back. This required 3-4 inches on top with a high fade on sides.

Pre-styling with volumizing mousse and finishing with matte clay created the perfect height and texture. The contemporary style matched his ageless performance in the historic overtime win.

2018 Grown Out Natural Wave

Brady embraced his natural wave pattern with a medium-length relaxed cut. The 4-inch length was styled with curl-enhancing cream and diffused for definition.

This effortless look required minimal daily styling—just product application to damp hair. The natural approach reflected his growing comfort with aging gracefully in the spotlight.

Tampa Bay Transition Cut

The Florida move brought a shorter, cleaner style with tapered sides and 2-3 inches on top. This practical cut handled humidity better while maintaining polish.

Styled with lightweight gel for control without stiffness. The fresh start haircut symbolized his successful reinvention with a new team at age 43.

2021 Super Bowl LV Victory Style

Brady’s seventh ring came with a perfectly balanced medium cut—not too long, not too short. The 3-inch top length with gradual fade offered versatility for multiple styling options.

Game day saw it swept back with medium-hold paste. This mature yet modern style proved he’d found his signature look after years of experimentation.

Fox Broadcasting Polished Look

Brady’s transition to broadcasting features a executive-ready side part with subtle volume. The 2.5-3 inch length is professionally styled with blow-drying and light pomade for controlled shine.

The camera-friendly cut requires weekly maintenance to stay sharp. This polished presentation positions him as a serious analyst rather than just an ex-player.

Current Retired Legend Style

Post-retirement Brady maintains a relaxed medium length with natural texture and movement. The low-maintenance 3-inch cut air-dries well and needs minimal product—just texturizing cream for definition.

This effortless style reflects his new lifestyle balance. The slightly grown-out look shows he’s enjoying freedom from game-day grooming requirements while staying presentation-ready.

Tom Brady’s Playoff Beard Tradition

Brady’s famous playoff beard ritual started in 2007, growing facial hair throughout postseason runs. The beard typically reaches medium density over 3-4 weeks, maintained at 5-7mm length.

He keeps sharp cheek and neck lines for a groomed appearance despite the growth. The tradition became so iconic that clean-shaven playoff Brady seemed wrong. Post-retirement, he maintains designer stubble at 3-5mm for a rugged yet refined look.

How To Get Tom Brady’s Hair

Start with 3-4 inches on top and ask for a gradual fade from a grade 3 on sides. The key is maintaining length for versatility while keeping sides clean. For styling, apply volumizing mousse to damp hair, then blow-dry with a round brush lifting at the roots.

Finish with matte paste or clay worked through with fingers for texture. This look requires monthly trims and works best with straight to wavy hair. The crucial detail is the natural movement—avoid over-styling for that effortless Brady appeal.

Which Face Shapes Suit Brady’s Styles

Brady’s styles lean clean and structured, which means they work on most face shapes — but some match better than others. Here’s what I recommend based on your face shape:

• Oval faces: You can pull off any Brady era. The flowing locks, the textured quiff, the buzz cut — all of them work because your proportions are naturally balanced.
• Square faces: The slicked-back undercut and the side-parted styles are your best options. They complement a strong jawline without softening your features.
• Round faces: Stick with Brady’s styles that add height and structure. The textured quiff and the pompadour-adjacent looks elongate a rounder face.
• Oblong faces: The surfer hair and natural wave styles add width on the sides, which balances a longer face. Avoid the slicked-back looks — they make an oblong face look even longer.
• Heart-shaped faces: Brady’s mid-2000s longer layers work well here. The volume at ear level balances a wider forehead without adding bulk on top.

Not sure which shape you are? Our face shape detector figures it out in 60 seconds.

Hair Type Guide for Brady Cuts

Brady has naturally straight, medium-density hair. That makes his styles easy to replicate if your texture is similar — but here’s what to expect with other hair types:

• Straight hair: Perfect match. Every Brady style is built for this texture. Minimal product and a quick blow-dry are all you need.
• Wavy hair: Great for the natural wave, surfer hair, and flowing locks eras. You’ll actually get more movement than Brady does naturally. For cleaner styles like the quiff, use a blow-dryer to direct the wave.
• Curly hair: The buzz cut and crew cut eras are your safest bets. Longer Brady styles won’t lay the same way — you’d need a blow-out and smoothing product to get close.
• Thick hair: Ideal for the textured quiff and polished broadcaster look since you’ve got natural volume. The slicked-back styles need a stronger hold product.
• Fine/thin hair: Brady’s side-parted styles and the comb over work well since they create the illusion of fullness. Avoid the flowing locks era — it looks sparse without enough density.

The honest take: Brady’s styles are some of the most forgiving celebrity cuts in terms of hair type. If you’ve got at least 3 inches on top, you can pull off most of these.

Has Tom Brady’s Hair Changed Beyond Just the Cut?

One of the most common questions I get about Brady is whether his hair color or thickness has changed over the years. Short answer: yes, both have shifted — and that’s completely normal.

Color: In his early Patriots years, Brady’s hair had a lighter, almost sandy brown tone. By the Tampa Bay era, it appeared noticeably darker and richer. Whether that’s natural darkening with age (which happens to many men) or subtle color enhancement, only his stylist knows for sure. What I can tell you from 20+ years behind the chair: a slight color refresh is one of the most common — and least talked about — grooming moves men make.

Density: Brady’s hair has held up remarkably well into his late 40s. There’s been mild thinning at the temples, which every man over 35 deals with to some degree. His smart styling choices — keeping volume on top and avoiding slicked-back styles that expose the hairline — show a guy who understands how to work with what he has rather than fighting it.

The takeaway? Hair changes with age for everyone. The difference is how you adapt your style — and Brady’s done that better than almost any athlete in the spotlight.

Products For Brady’s Styles

Brady’s evolving styles require different products: volumizing mousse for his quiff phases, sea salt spray for longer surfer looks, and matte clay for modern textured styles. For his current executive cut, use lightweight pomade for subtle shine without stiffness. Quality shampoo and conditioner are essential, especially for longer styles.

Heat protectant spray is crucial when blow-drying. For his playoff beard, beard oil keeps facial hair soft and skin moisturized. The key is using minimal product for maximum natural movement.

What is Tom Brady’s most iconic hairstyle?

While Brady has rocked many memorable looks, the 2007 long surfer hair remains most iconic. This shoulder-length style during the near-perfect season defined an era and sparked countless debates about quarterback aesthetics.

The dramatic departure from his clean-cut image coincided with record-breaking performances, creating an unforgettable visual association. The look influenced a generation of athletes to experiment with longer styles. Achieving this requires 12-18 months of growth, sea salt spray for texture, and confidence to pull off the flowing locks.

How does Brady style his hair for games?

Brady’s game-day routine prioritizes helmet compatibility and sweat resistance. He typically uses lightweight styling cream or paste that won’t create helmet hair or lose hold during play. The product is applied to damp hair and blow-dried for initial shape, then finger-styled for natural texture.

He avoids heavy products that could run with sweat. Post-game, he’s been known to quickly finger-comb and reshape without needing full restyling. The key is starting with a good cut that falls naturally into place even after helmet removal.

What products does Tom Brady use in his hair?

While Brady hasn’t publicly endorsed specific hair products, industry insiders suggest he uses premium salon-quality brands. His routine likely includes volumizing shampoo, moisturizing conditioner, and heat protectant for blow-drying. Styling products range from lightweight mousse for volume to matte clay for texture, depending on the desired look.

His longer styles required anti-frizz serum and sea salt spray. The polished broadcasting look suggests using light-hold pomade with natural finish. Most importantly, he clearly prioritizes hair health with regular trims and quality products that prevent damage.

What is Tom Brady’s most popular haircut?

Brady’s most requested style is his side-parted textured quiff from the 2017 Super Bowl LI era — medium length on top (3–4 inches), tapered sides, and styled with a lightweight pomade for natural texture. It works across most face shapes and hair types, which is why barbers see it requested more than any other Brady look.

How do I ask my barber for a Tom Brady haircut?

Show your barber a reference photo of the specific Brady era you want. For his classic look, ask for 3–4 inches on top with a medium taper on the sides, a side part, and texture through the top. Mention you want it styled with natural movement, not slicked flat. Your barber will adapt the cut to your hair type and face shape from there.

What hair products does Tom Brady use?

Brady hasn’t publicly endorsed a specific hair product, but achieving his styles requires a lightweight pomade or styling cream with medium hold and natural finish. Sea salt spray works for his surfer and textured looks, while a shine-free matte paste handles the quiff and side-part styles. Avoid heavy waxes — Brady’s styles always look natural, never overworked.

Does Tom Brady dye his hair?

There’s no public confirmation, but Brady’s hair has shifted from a lighter sandy brown in his early career to a noticeably darker shade by his Tampa Bay and broadcasting years. Whether that’s natural darkening with age or subtle color work, the result looks natural and well-maintained. From a barber’s perspective, a minor color refresh is one of the most common grooming moves men make — and there’s nothing wrong with it.

What is Tom Brady’s current hairstyle?

As of 2026, Brady sports a relaxed medium-length cut with natural texture and a soft side part — his Fox broadcasting look. It’s about 2.5 to 3 inches on top with tapered sides, styled with light pomade for a polished but not stiff finish. This executive-ready style needs weekly trims to stay sharp and works best with straight to wavy hair.