At Wimbledon this year, Andrew Garfield was playing the long game – just not on Centre Court. Instead, the actor, 42, arrived sporting a head of lengthy, shoulder-skimming hair that quickly became a serious court-side talking point.
It’s a look more rock star than tennis spectator, and one Garfield has been growing out since last year’s Wimbledon. Twelve months on, his hair has entered a new phase altogether, reaching a level of dramatic volume and Seventies-style sweep that few men over 40 would dare attempt.
There is a good reason for this transformation. Garfield recently finished filming Wild Things, a Siegfried and Roy biopic series for Apple TV+ in which he plays illusionist Roy Horn opposite Jude Law’s Siegfried Fischbacher. As the legendary lion tamer, he required a suitably majestic mane, but the look has caught the attention of men far beyond Hollywood.
Esquire called it “a lengthy shag”; GQ described it as a “lush lid”. But while Garfield’s locks may have turned our lesser-haired heads, would this style work for the average middle-aged man? Is it a hairdo worth the time and upkeep, or does it require Hollywood confidence and a trailer full of stylists to look this good?
If you’re keen to serve up a similar style this summer, here’s what the experts recommend to recreate the look.
Find a longer style that works for your hair, not against it
While it may be tempting to put the clippers away and get growing, it pays to have a plan first. “It’s best to consider the direction you’d like your hair to go prior to committing to the growth stage,” says Elliott Pritchard of Ruffians. “Allow your current style to dictate this. If you’re already pushing your hair backwards and this works, it’s reasonable to assume a longer version, when cut correctly, will work too.”
Your face shape should also influence the style you choose. Garfield’s slightly rectangular face, for example, means he can carry extra volume without adding too much width. “Look at Gerard Butler, Bradley Cooper,” Pritchard adds. “They make longer hair look easy, which of course it isn’t. But that’s because their styles are cut with exceptional skill and work in proportional harmony with their face shapes.” A good barber should be able to assess where to add or reduce volume to flatter your features.
Added length can disguise thinning hair, but be careful
If you’re beginning to thin, growing out what you still have can be a good way to make it look fuller. “But if you choose the wrong style, it may not work,” warns Richard Marshall of Pall Mall Barbers. Marshall suggests looking at images of longer hairstyles, picking out a few favourites, then asking your barber whether they’ll work with your face shape, hair type and level of thinning. If you’re getting finer at the crown, for example, a longer, swept-back style can work wonders, but if you’re receding at the temples, the same look may only draw more attention to hair loss.
Marshall, who cites Wimbledon legend Andre Agassi as someone who knew how to carry off longer hair, says patience is equally important. “You’ll also need to learn some new skills if this is your first time with longer hair. That comes with practice, and managing it every day is what will keep it looking its best.”
Try this: Denman Jack Dean D3 Hairbrush, £9, Denman
Grey hairs putting you off longer styles? Embrace them
The days of feeling obliged to cover up grey hairs are, themselves, fading. Whether you’re salt-and-pepper or a full silver fox, longer hair can be an opportunity to embrace them rather than hide them. “I’m a big believer in working with what’s natural,” says Michele Canu, barber at Ruffians Covent Garden. “So, my advice is always to keep the grey rather than disguise it.”
For inspiration, Canu points to the likes of Brad Pitt and Pedro Pascal, both of whom have shown that longer, greying hair can look effortlessly stylish. There is one thing to bear in mind, however: texture. “White hair tends to be coarser than darker hair, which can change how it falls slightly. But the right products, such as a good hydrating hair cream, will sort that out easily.”
Try this: Ruffians Hair Cream, £18, Ruffians
Don’t forget maintenance, and care for your hair
Once you’ve committed to growing out your hair (and survived the unavoidable awkward mid-length phase), maintenance becomes even more important. “Without this, it’ll quickly lose its structure and start to look untidy,” says Maxwell Oakley, co-founder of Supply 91. “Your biggest investment should be in a quality shampoo and conditioner that suits your hair type,” he adds. “Many men overlook conditioner, but once your hair gets past a certain length, it’s probably the most important thing.”
Longer hair should also still have movement, says Oakley, with a natural finish rather than looking overly styled. That means opting for a lightweight styling product instead of anything heavy or too matte, something that’ll enhance your hair’s natural texture without weighing it down. “Just look at Daniel Craig. His hair always feels effortless, but not over-styled. There’s movement and texture, but it’s still well-maintained.”
Try this: Horace Dry to Very Dry Hair Conditioner, £15, Horace
The lesson? Longer hair needn’t mean looking like you’re clinging to your youth. Done well, it can add character, confidence and a little more individuality at any age.