A horseshoe flattop is an extremely short haircut worn almost exclusively by men in the United States. Although relatively rare in the civilian population, it is often seen among certain military subcultures and is closely associated with U.S. Marines (particularly infantrymen, reconnaissance, and Drill Instructors), U.S. Army Rangers, and law enforcement officers.
The haircut's most prominent feature is the U-shaped ring of hair on the top of the head, which resembles a horseshoe shape. This look is achieved by a barber clipping all of the hair on the sides and back of the head - as well as a strip of growth on the very top of the head - down to the scalp. What is left is essentially a nearly bald head with a horseshoe of slightly longer hair left on top. The bald area in the very top center of the head is sometimes referred to as the "landing strip," because its stark contrast to the surrounding hair resembles the grassless area where aircraft land or take off.
The horseshoe variation developed from the flattop, because even longer flattop haircuts have some semblance of a "landing strip"; this is because achieving a flat surface on a rounded human head requires that the hair be cut shorter at the highest point on the head. Military men began cutting their flattops so short to the point that all that remained was a horseshoe. With the most extreme versions of the horseshoe flattop, the hair is so short on top that it is no longer a literal "flat top," but rather just an unshaved ring of hair, faded or blended into bald scalp around the edges and center. Some barbers go so far as to literally shave the back and sides with a razor and shaving cream.
The horseshoe flattop is a very distinctive, deliberate, meticulous, and masculine haircut, often worn to achieve a militaristic or intimidating look. It requires frequent maintenance, with most wearers opting for a fresh haircut every week to ten days.
