Help me pick a new 'do...

So, I’ve had longish hair for about 8 years now, and it’s time for a change. I’m not really sure what to do with it so I’m looking for suggestions. The current situation:

I’m a guy, age 26, clean-shaven face, sometimes with stubble.
Almost shoulder length straight medium-brown hair. Curls up a bit at the ends. Brushed straight back from the front, in a Chewbacca-esque fashion. Sometimes held in a low, small ponytail.
The sides and back don’t really grow the same way as the rest. They get curly and scraggly and stay short, so I buzz them occaisionally.

The rub:
I’m balding. There no use denying it anymore. The top/crown area is getting mighty thin. So, what once was a pretty styling hairdo has become… not quite a combover, more of a comb-back.
(Despite a recent rude passerby, it’s not a mullet.) It’s still long on top, but thinning fast. And the weight of the long parts is not enough to hold down the new growth which sometimes sticks up awkwardly.

On bad days, it can get like Corda and Reno, from Highlander 2. (The cackling bad guy lackeys Connor kills on a hoverboard)

So… what now?
I’m thinking of just buzzing the whole thing to a 1/4 inch and starting over. But perhaps theres a better option. I definately want to avoid a comb-over. That’s just lame. Any ideas?

(I’m getting married next summer, so what ever I go with will have to grow into something presentable by then.)

I would definitely cut it short. Nothing looks worse to me than a guy with long, thinning hair pulled back into a pathetic, skinny little pony tail. It screams of denial. Also, the ponytail thing is so late 80’s software culture, at least with the thinning on top. Sorry if that sounds a little harsh, I have just had to work with too many of those types and they were all going through mid-life crises and had it written all over them. I am sure you don’t look anything like they did, besides, you are much younger. And, don’t get me wrong, I love long hair on guys, but they have to have a lot of it.

I would consider either the buzzcut or something slightly longer. Look at Agassi. Sure, he looks different with his hair short, but he at least looks like he is facing up to reality. To me it communicates that he is confident in his looks whether he has hair or not. I find a buzzcut is the sexiest look on a man who is thinning on top.

Yeah! What Glenda said! Trying to “hide” balding is the worst, and denying it . . . can you say turn off? Just buzz it off and accept your fate. Baldness worked for Yul Brynner - he wasn’t famous until he shaved his head for “The King and I.”

Buzz it up, broheim. Simple, easy, and miles of cool. Just check to make sure you don’t have a lumpy head.

Mullet! Mullet! Mullet!

I would like to second the mullet.

Thanks for the advice, folks.

Mullet is out… sorry… I’m ok with people laughing at me, but I like to choose the time and place that they do so, not have it constantly on…

I think I will go for the buzz. But not as short as Agassi. (Then again, I’m not as bald as Agassi, either). I agree, denial is not worth the effort. I don’t need to prove anything with my hair.

I started buzzing my hair with the #4 guard. Next time was the #3. Then #2, then #1.

I like it better each time but I’m not going to shave to truly slick. It’s too much trouble. My boss has his head shaved & has to shave daily to keep it smooth. Too much trouble for me.

Right now my hair is about as long as the crew-cut old-fashioned G.I. Joe. My wife loves it plus it’s really easy to care for.

I’d start with a short buzz cut, then play with shorter/longer until you reach a point you want to keep.

Oh - and yes, I am balding, thanks.