“The haircut is a hard thing to wear”: When Peaky Blinders stars revealed struggles behind their iconic look

Steven Knight's BBC crime drama series Peaky Blinders introduced a new and fashionable wave of gangsters, who donned stylish three-piece suits and a clean undercut hairstyle.

The Shelby brothers (Tommy, Arthur and John) inspired a new wave of men's fashion, who were crazy about their special hairstyle, famously known as the undercut and textured crop.

While the fans were gushing over this unique Peaky Blinders hairstyle, the cast was struggling to manage it behind the scenes. Since the series was set in 1920s Birmingham, it followed the fashion of the past decade.

Actor Paul Anderson discussed these struggles with BUILD:

''The Haircut is a hard thing to wear. Specially Arthur's, its so severe. I look at John and I look at Cillian's, there's ain't as bad as mine.''

More on this in our story.

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Despite its popularity, Cillian Murphy still doesn't like the Peaky Blinders hairstyle

Peaky Blinders or the Tommy Shelby hairstyle became iconic, with men especially asking their barbers to give them this undercut and textured crop. Actress Kate Phillips discussed how the designer essentially invented the hairstyle in an interview with BUILD:

''She essentially didn't research but invented this haircut at the same time and wanted all the men to have it. It's now become like iconic for the series and now eveyone wants it.''

While the hairstyle was quite historically accurate to the 20th-century men, the Peaky Blinders designer also gave it an inventive and modern spin, making it even more iconic and attuned to modern times.

The disconnected hairstyle features a clean look, which means shaving the sides and keeping all the weight of the hair on top, and voila! You have the Tommy Shelby hairstyle.

While the hairstyle was quite a hit among men and became an essential part of men's grooming, Cillian Murphy still didn't like it because the actor usually wore his hair long. However, the actor had little say in the matter because the setting of this crime series demanded this hairstyle.

Discussing the popularity of the Tommy Shelby hairstyle with Slashfilm, Cillian Murphy said:

"I was alarmed by the haircut, I have to admit, but I'm contractually obliged to have it. It's not grown on me in four years now. I normally keep my hair long."

The actor was shocked to realize the craze among fans for the Peaky Blinders hairstyle because he didn't like it much. However, it still remains one of the most iconic aspects of the show's fashion.

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The Peaky Blinders ensemble was a hit among the fans

In addition to the haircut, fans (especially men) were also crazy about the Peaky Blinders men's fashion, donned by all the Shelby brothers in the show.

While the Shelby brothers were notorious for their violence, they did it in style. Their fashion ensemble was complete with lapelled overcoats, tailored jackets, buttoned waistcoats, bell-bottomed trousers, flat caps and a pocket watch.

As the show progressed, specific and subtle changes were made to Tommy Shelby's clothing to highlight his character's growth and involvement in elite political and social circles, but the flat cap remained a staple in his fashion.

While not historically accurate, the gang used to hide sharp razors in their flat caps, used to brutally blind and bludgeon their enemies.

The Peaky boys' fashion and haircut inspired a generation of men's fashion and will surely continue to influence the coming generation too.

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Also Read: How Peaky Blinders nailed the 1920s Birmingham fashion