Nine men on why they love their man buns

NEW YORK, Sept 14 — Initially popularised by Brooklyn bartenders, professional athletes and, of course, Jared Leto, the man bun bestowed its wearer with a certain cachet: He was stylish, comfortable with his masculinity and needed to keep his mane out of harm’s way while changing Marconi light bulbs.

But the man bun is now mainstream, and it can be spotted adorning the crowns of not only VFiles fashion kids, but also Park Slope stroller dads and Wall Street finance bros. Its omnipresence has stripped the hairdo of any avant-garde appeal. Even Leto, naturally ahead of the curve, lopped his off in March.

Perhaps others should do the same. “I think it’s time for the ballerina boys to throw away their scrunchies and liberate their locks,” said Jenné Lombardo, a founder of Milk Studio’s Made Fashion Week.

Yet man buns and their myriad permutations, like puny topknots and double buns, refuse to go away. On a recent Saturday in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, ground zero for the hair hysteria, there was no shortage of men willing to talk about theirs. These interviews have been edited and condensed.

‘I sort of had it when it was getting big, and now everyone’s deciding to have one,’ said Hammer.’ — Picture Hilary Swift/The New York Times

1. Russell Elliot, 23

R&B musician in Brooklyn

I’ve been growing it out for about two years. When it looks good, it’s great. When it doesn’t, it’s kind of wack.

2. Avishek Saha, 24

Student in Boston

When I moved to Portland last August, I wanted to grow my beard out but had no idea what my beard potential was. I created an Instagram to hold myself accountable. It’s called dailybeardgains, and every day I take photos from three different angles.

‘When I moved to Portland last August, I wanted to grow my beard out but had no idea what my beard potential was. I created an Instagram to hold myself accountable,’ said Saha. — Picture Hilary Swift/The New York Times

3. Zohaib Sheikh, 29

Nightclub promoter in Brooklyn

I had a day gig for two years, and I used to throw parties at the same time. And everyone was always like, “You’re pretty straightedge for this kind of world.” So I grew a beard and a man bun. When I finally got the guts to grow one, it wasn’t cool anymore.

4. Zach Hammer, 20

Student in Orange County, California

I’m very close to cutting it off. I sort of had it when it was getting big, and now everyone’s deciding to have one. I’m hoping the trend ends soon, because I’m done with it.

5. Tulio Cunha, 25

Engineer in Rio de Janeiro

My boyfriend loves it. It’s a new style, and it’s growing in Brazil, also. There’s a word for who has it, I forget it in English — wait, “hipsters.” We use the same word in Portuguese.

6. Ray Rodriguez, 33

Waiter in Brooklyn

I grew my hair out for almost a year, and then I shaved off the sides to clean it up. I didn’t intend for it to be a bun. It just happened.

‘It’s a new style, and it’s growing in Brazil, also. There’s a word for who has it, I forget it in English — wait, 'hipsters.' We use the same word in Portuguese,’ said Cunha. — Picture Hilary Swift/The New York Times

7. Vincente Vasquez, 25

Graphic designer in Brooklyn

People hate it, people love it. About a year ago, they all kept popping up, everywhere you go, little samurai buns, big buns, everybody. It’s too much. I need to get rid of it, but it’s hard to get rid of your locks. And my mother loves it.

8. Lucas Woodley-Aitchison, 24

Marijuana accessory developer in Brooklyn

For me, it’s been more utility. Got to eat, got to keep the hair out of my eyes. Got to keep the oil out of my face. The wind gets in there. You got to tie it up.

9. Priyan Rajdev, 26

Assistant buyer in Brooklyn

I’m really judgmental when I see someone with a beard and this hairstyle as well. I kind of size them up and figure out who has the better one. — The New York Times