The Edgar Cut: Gen Zers are crazy about it, we’ll tell you the story behind it!

An alternative variation to the Caesar Cut has become a sensation among young Latino men. Although it is commonly called the Mexican Haircut, its actual name is the Edgar Cut, and it is one of the most popular styles right now.

Also known as Takuache Cut, it first became viral as a meme, as it was associated with less-than-brilliant characters such as Jim Carrey’s Lloyd in “Dumb and Dumber.” However, Latino teenage boys have appropriated the cut and made it quite stylish and versatile.

Photo Credit: menshaircuts.com

Its main characteristic is the front, straight bang across the forehead, which can be worn very short, mid-length, or closer to the eyebrows. Meanwhile, the top part of the hair is longer and brushed forward while the sides and back are faded.

Although it might remind you of an old-fashioned bowl cut, there’s a lot of versatility to it and ways to make it more modern and trendy. Some variations include making the top part wavy, curly, textured, or spike, playing with the length of the fade, or making designs on it.

Photo Credit: Instagram @itzronnie_doe

There are many reasons why this haircut has become so popular. For starters, it is very easy to maintain. It comes off as bold, edgy, and full of attitude. Plus, it is a great option for men with thinning hair to disguise their vanishing hairline. The Edgar Cut is especially flattering for oval, oblong, and pointy face shapes.

Photo Credit: Instagram @glstyle_hairstylist

In the US.., this haircut is popular among teens who live in Texas, California, New Mexico, and Arizona– states that border Mexico. TikTok videos skyrocketed the popularity of this look in 2020 when everyone relied on digital entertainment during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

The Edgar is associated with the modern ranchero aesthetic known as “Takuache,” which actually means “possum” in Spanish, and is a way that young Americans seek to connect with their Mexican roots. They generally wear square-toed boots or Jordan sneakers, listen to corridos tumbados (a modern version of the classic corridos), drive pickup trucks, and dance to cumbias, huapango, and tribal at rodeos or dance clubs.

The story behind the name is unclear. Former Major League Baseball player Edgar Martinez, who played for the Seattle Mariners, is usually attributed its popularity. In 2019, a fan asked Puerto Rican barber Anthony Reyes to engrave Martinez’s face on the back of his head. The cut, which included a bowl-like cutout on the front, was re-shared by the MLB Puerto Rico account and it went viral. Since then it has been dubbed the Edgar Cut and it has become popular both on Twitter and TikTok.

Photo Credit: Instagram @10kcuts

According to the Texas State Historical Association, the Edgar style is strikingly similar to that of Native males centuries ago. Men of the Jumano tribe, who mostly lived in what is now Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico between 1500 and 1700, wore their hair in a way almost identical to the Edgar cut. They also decorated their sleek, straight hair with paint or left one section long so they could attach bird feathers.

Rachel Cruz, Assistant Professor of Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio, has also pointed out in an interview with Dallas News that she has seen hairstyles very similar to the Edgar in some Mexican iconography, particularly in regions such as Tulum and Chichen Itza.

Popular artists such as Natanael Cano, Kris Nava from T3R Elemento, and two members from Yaritza y Su Esencia have all rocked a variation of the Edgar Cut.