Short hair can be a little boring, but at the same time you don't want to become an 80s rocker. Something stylish but not too flamboyant you say... Why not meet half way?
Sean Penn is one of the modern day pioneers of the messed up medium length cut - just long enough to stand out from the crowd without making the crowd stand away from you.
Don't comb it, scrunch a little wax or paste into it and let it fall. If you comb it at this length you'll look a little special. And no 50s throwbacks!