Let’s be honest. We all collectively gasped when Travis Kelce stepped out with hair that actually moved. For years, the Kansas City Chiefs’ legendary tight end was defined by one thing: the high-and-tight skin fade. It was sharp, it was military-esque, and it was so consistent you could set your watch by it. But then, the Travis Kelce middle part era arrived, and suddenly, the internet didn't know how to act.
It wasn't just a haircut. It was a cultural shift. One minute he’s the guy with the "fade heard 'round the world," and the next, he’s giving major 1990s rom-com lead energy. We’re talking floppy, curtain-style locks that look like they belong on a vintage Abercrombie & Fitch bag or a Mighty Ducks movie poster.
The Evolution of the "90s Heartthrob" Look
The transition didn't happen overnight, but it felt like it did. Most fans first really noticed the change during the 2024-2025 offseason. Gone was the buzzed-down #2 guard on top. In its place was a thick, textured mane that he started parting right down the center.
People immediately started drawing comparisons. Some saw a young Emilio Estevez. Others swore he was channeling Chandler Bing from the early seasons of Friends. It’s a bold move for a guy who’s 6’5” and 250 pounds to go for a "boy band" hairstyle, but somehow, it worked. Or, depending on which corner of X (formerly Twitter) you hang out in, it was a "bizarre" disaster.
The Travis Kelce middle part basically became the Rorschach test of celebrity grooming. If you loved the "soft launch" of his new persona, you saw a man comfortable enough to experiment. If you hated it, you were probably begging for the "dog" to come back—the buzzed version of Travis that usually correlates with him winning Super Bowls.
📖 Related: Jo Koy Real Name: The Story Behind "My Jo" That Most People Get Wrong
Who Is Behind the Transformation?
You can't talk about Travis's hair without mentioning the architects. For years, Patrick Regan (aka @patty_cuts) was the man behind the fade. He’s the one who had to go on Good Morning America to explain that Travis didn't actually "invent" the fade—a claim that sparked some much-needed conversation about the style’s roots in Black culture.
But as the hair grew longer, we saw more of Vince Garcia, known as Vince the Barber. Garcia is a heavyweight in the Los Angeles grooming scene, and he’s been the one documenting the maintenance of those "luscious locks." In early 2025, Garcia posted videos of himself giving Travis a "tiny trim" to keep the middle part from becoming a total mop.
The interesting part? It wasn't just a barber's decision.
- The Taylor Effect: Patrick Mahomes famously let it slip on SiriusXM NFL Radio that the longer hair was actually a suggestion from Taylor Swift.
- The "Andy Reid" Factor: While the hair grew long, Travis often kept his "training camp mustache" as a tribute to coach Andy Reid, creating a chaotic mix of 90s skater on top and 70s sheriff on the bottom.
- The Engagement Glow: When the couple announced their engagement in August 2025, the hair was a central part of the "new Travis" aesthetic—softer, more polished, and definitely more "Hollywood."
Why the Middle Part Caused a Social Media War
Swifties are a powerful force. When the Travis Kelce middle part first debuted at events like the Amazon MGM Studios Upfronts, the reaction was... polarized.
One segment of the fanbase was obsessed. They called it a "glow-up" and thanked Taylor for "saving" his style. They loved the "school boy" charm and the way it made him look more like a leading man and less like a guy who spends three hours a day hitting people.
Then there was the other side. Some fans were genuinely distressed. Comments like "Travis what the actual f**k are you doing" started trending. Football purists were even more superstitious. They noted that Travis’s "down" year (by his elite standards) happened while his hair was long. They wanted the "Buzz Cut Trav" back because, in their minds, short hair equals touchdowns.
How to Get the Travis Kelce Middle Part (Without Looking Like a Mushroom)
If you’re thinking about growing out your own fade to mimic this look, you’ve got to be careful. It’s a high-maintenance "low-maintenance" look.
First, you need the right products. In his GQ interviews, Travis has mentioned using Old Spice Beard Wash to keep his facial hair soft, but for the head hair, you need something with grit. Stylists recommend a matte clay or a sea salt spray. You want texture, not grease. If it’s too shiny, you look like a 1920s oil tycoon. If it’s too dry, you look like you just woke up in a haystack.
✨ Don't miss: What Really Happened With Victoria Beckham and Meghan Markle: The Truth About Those Reconciliation Rumors
Second, the "in-between" stage is brutal. Travis went through a phase where it looked "awkward" (his words, basically). You have to commit to the "ugly" months where the hair isn't long enough to tuck behind your ears but is too long to stay out of your eyes.
Pro Tip: Ask your barber for "point-cutting" on top. This removes bulk without sacrificing length, which is how you get that floppy, feathered look rather than a solid block of hair sitting on your head.
The Return to the Buzz?
By July 2025, the experiment seemingly came to an end. The Chiefs posted a photo with the caption "Fresh cut Trav," showing a return to the tapered buzz cut. The internet, predictably, went into another meltdown.
But that's the thing about the Travis Kelce middle part. It served its purpose. It showed a different side of a guy we thought we had figured out. It proved that even an NFL "tough guy" can lean into a softer, more experimental aesthetic when he’s happy.
Whether he keeps it short for the 2026 season or lets it flow again, the middle-part era remains a peak moment in the intersection of sports, pop culture, and high-end grooming.
Actionable Style Steps
If you're looking to replicate or transition from this look, here is what you actually need to do:
✨ Don't miss: Miley Cyrus Pron Video: What Really Happened With the Rumors
- Talk to your barber about your "growth goals": Don't just stop getting haircuts. You need "dustings" every 4 weeks to keep the shape while the length increases.
- Invest in a wide-tooth comb: The middle part needs to be clean, but not surgical. Use a comb while the hair is damp, then use your fingers to mess it up slightly as it dries.
- Balance the facial hair: If you have the long middle part, keep the beard trimmed. Having "long" hair in both places can overwhelm your face shape.
The most important takeaway? Hair grows back. If Travis Kelce can survive a viral "feathered bowl cut" phase while being one of the most famous men on the planet, you can probably handle a new style too.
Next Step: Take a photo of the 2025 "Amazon event" Travis to your barber and specifically ask for a "textured curtain cut with tapered sides." This ensures they don't just give you a standard bowl cut, but rather the modern, athletic version Kelce popularized.