How to ask for the right boys’ haircut?!

[WindUpBird]

DS is 14, has a haircut booked tomorrow. Hates getting his haircut, makes him anxious.
He basically wants a short back and sides but floppy on the top. He doesn’t want to ask for this. Understandably!! What on earth is this kind of haircut called?? Many boys at his school seem to have this style, so it’s not unusual, he (and I) just don’t know what it’s called!
thank you!

Don't know what it's called, but can you maybe take a photo in instead? Google could be your friend!

I hate asking for boys haircuts so one time I managed to get it right after lots of questioning and I wrote it down so I can quote it forever:

“Number 4 at the back, take some off all over, scissor cut on the top and not too much off the fringe.”

can you get him to say what “number” cut for how short at back and sides, and “keep some length on the top”? Probably since so many boys have this they might understand?

Disconnected undercut? Google some pictures and show them.

Honestly saying short back and sides and longer on top is fine, they will know what he means.
Number 1 is practically a shaved head so I would start at number 4 around back and sides and if he wants to go shorter he can say. He can ask them to just cut with scissors on top and use clippers on back and sides.

He can take a picture in. If he has a picture of himself with that haircut all the better.

This is DS’s haircut.

We ask for a No. 2 round the back and sides, faded up, to longer on top - give the top a trim, but not too much off.

It’s a standard request - they will know.

The only thing we sometimes deal with is too much off the top, but it grows.

Ugh my kid has his hair like this. I hate it. I know I am middle aged. It looks good on boys with curly hair but just silly on boys with straight hair. I wish it was lock down again so I can have an excuse to cut his hair myself so I can see his handsome cheeky face again!

Number 4 all around, scissors on top, leave it longer on top, and leave the fringe long.

And bring a photo.

It’s called a drop fade

Just google male hairstyles and show them a pic.

French crop? menshaircuts.com/french-crop-haircut/

I wouldn't mind the French crop haircut for myself, Defiantlynot41. Maybe something to file away for when I finally take the plunge and embrace the grey.

Messy fringe fade

Thanks so much for all your replies, really helpful!
I have suggested before that we just show a photo, but…that’s weird and embarrassing, apparently.
he’s never had clippers before, always refused so it’s good to know what numbers to go for…think he’ll ask for no 4 then do as @RenegadeMatron suggests.

will Google the ‘drop fade’ as well, @AthenaPopodopolous and messy fringe fade @WouldBeGood

thanks @Defiantlynot41 , I think the French crop might not be quite the right thing - too much of a contrast between the sides and the top, iyswim?

Skin fade is quite popular with teenage boys, have a google of that