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Showerthought: My whole approach to necklines changed after a wedding in Boise
I was doing a groom's cut the morning of his wedding, just a simple shape-up. He was nervous, talking a mile a minute. I went with my usual clean line, sharp and defined. The ceremony was outdoors, and when I saw the photos later, that crisp line looked totally wrong with his open collar and the soft, natural light. It was too harsh, almost like a helmet. Now, for any formal event I ask about the outfit first. If it's a soft shirt or open collar, I blend the neckline out more, no hard line. It's a tiny detail, but it makes the whole cut look like it belongs. Anyone else adjust their technique based on what the client is wearing that day?
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anthonyrivera2mo ago
Yeah the "painted on" look is so real. @cora813 has it right about the jacket thing too, it's all about what frames the face.
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ross.kim6h ago
Watched my buddy Charlie get burned by this at a BBQ last summer. He showed up in this sharp bomber jacket, fresh fade from some high end shop in Denver. Looked great until he took the jacket off, then his neckline just hung there like a weird tan line. Had to laugh cuz he spent eighty bucks on that cut and it only worked in one specific jacket. Now every time I see him I joke about bringing a backup shirt just in case he gets hot.
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ivan4622mo ago
Honestly I never really thought about it until I saw a client's wedding photos too... he had on a linen shirt and my usual sharp line just looked painted on, like a cartoon. Now I always check the collar situation first, it totally changes how I approach the back of the neck.
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cora8132mo ago
That Boise wedding story is spot on. I always ask "jacket or no jacket" before I even pick up the clippers. A suit jacket needs that sharp line, it frames the fabric. But a polo or open collar shirt, that hard line just floats there. I'll fade it out softer, almost like it's disappearing into the skin. Makes the whole look way more put together, like the haircut is part of the outfit, not just stuck on top.
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