We all know that every season brings us a new set of hair trends to take inspiration from, but if there is one haircut that has constantly reigned supreme over the past 12 months, it’s the bob. Perhaps it’s no surprise. Throughout history, the bob has remained a timeless haircut that has never gone out of style; it has only morphed and changed with the decades. Take the Italian bob. Its full-bodied, bouncy lengths are a nod to Old Hollywood glamour, whereas the resurgence of the blunt bob draws inspiration from the minimalistic short haircuts we saw through the ’90s. (Beckham bob, we’re looking at you.) As we’ve seen just about every type of bob haircut make a comeback over the past year, it’s a sure sign that short haircuts are not going anywhere anytime soon. Ask any hairdresser or salon—they’ve been inundated with requests for shorter, jaw-skimming cuts.
Thinking about getting a bob haircut in 2024? “Remember that trends can evolve, and new variations of the bob haircut may emerge over time, so it’s always a good idea to consult with a hairstylist who can provide the latest insights and tailor the haircut to suit your face shape and personal style,” says Afroditi Koutsouki, senior stylist at Neville Hair and Beauty. If you’re ready for the chop and are curious to know which bob haircuts are still trending in 2024, I asked top hairstylists and the busiest salons to share their predictions. Prepare to call your hairdresser because there’s plenty of inspiration ahead.
1. The Classic Bob
TyLynn Nguyen’s minimal cut is a classic bob hairstyle.
A classic, no-frills bob transcends seasonal trends and looks stylish on just about everyone, says Koutsouki. “Timeless and versatile, the classic bob is a chin-length cut with a straight and even line. It’s a simple and elegant look that can be customized based on individual preferences,” she adds.
A hair gloss adds shine and luster, making your bob haircut look even better.
2. The Parisian Bob
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
Taylor LaShae is a great reference for the Parisian-inspired bob haircut.
“The Parisian French-girl bob is a chic and effortless hairstyle that reflects the timeless and sophisticated style associated with Parisian women,” says Jordanna Cobella, British Hairdressing Awards London Hairdresser of the Year 2023 and creative director of Cobella Salon. “It often features a shoulder-length cut with subtle layers, creating a tousled and natural look. The key is to achieve an undone elegance, appearing as if you woke up with effortlessly stylish hair.”
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3. The Grunge Bob
Taylor Hill’s new haircut channels the grunge-bob trend.
The ’90s-inspired bixie haircut has entered the chat in the form of the grunge bob, says Hollie Rose Clarke, hairstylist in residence at DryBy. Clarke notes ’90s Winona Ryder, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore as references. “The grunge bob is the edgier, art-school sister of the Parisian bob,” she says. “She’s carefree and a little shorter, and the blunt finish of a classic bob is lost in favor of soft texture and shorter layers. It has a whole lot of face framing, knocking that signature corner off the bob and adding short, Bardot-inspired bangs,” says Clarke. “The grunge bob/bixie is an effortless cool-girl cut with a ‘she woke up like this’ mood. It’s all about embracing your natural texture.”
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4. The Inverted Bob
Note the graduated, longer length toward the front of this cut that is characteristic of the inverted bob.
Also known as the stacked bob or graduated bob, the inverted bob is back for fall 2024 with a modern update. “The inverted bob is shorter at the back and gradually longer toward the front, which creates a stacked, angled effect,” says Koutsouki. “This haircut accentuates your jawline and brings attention to your cheekbones. The graduated bob features a shorter back with added volume, whilst the front boasts more length.”
“At the back, layers provide ample volume and texture, creating a dynamic look with a slight angle toward the front. The graduated bob exudes chic and timeless style, always staying on-trend,” adds Koutsouki, who explains that this hairstyle complements both oval and round face shapes.
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5. The ’90s Bob
The ’90s bob is here to stay. It has slightly longer, shoulder-skimming blunt ends, as seen on Hailey Bieber.
The ’90s bob never really went away but is set to gain popularity through the end of the year. “The ’90s bob is a classic hairstyle characterized by a chin-length or slightly longer cut with blunt ends, often accompanied by face-framing layers and styled with a bevel,” says Cobella. “It’s expected to remain popular in 2024 due to the ongoing revival of ’90s fashion and nostalgia. The simplicity and versatility of the ’90s bob make it a timeless choice that transcends trends.”
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6. The Baroque Bob
The baroque bob lends itself well to natural textures such as curls and waves.
“The baroque bob is a hairstyle inspired by the opulence and intricate details of the baroque era,” says Cobella. “It often features a shorter length with voluminous curls, waves, or elaborate textures. The trend in 2024 may stem from a desire for bold statement looks and a fusion of historical aesthetics with contemporary styles, creating a visually striking and unique appearance.”
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7. The Blunt Bob
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
The to-the-point precision of the blunt bob haircut gives it both a chic and timeless vibe.
The blunt bob has been dominating our feeds of late, but it remains a timeless short haircut that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “The blunt bob features a straight-across, even cut at the ends. It can be worn at various lengths and is known for its sharp and modern appearance,” says Koutsouki.
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8. The A-Line Bob
The A-line bob works beautifully for those with thicker hair textures, creating an elegant A-shaped silhouette.
“The A-line bob is characterized by a shorter back that gradually gets longer toward the front. This creates an angled and dynamic look, framing the face beautifully,” says Koutsouki. It lends itself well to those with curly or thick hair textures to create a bold silhouette.
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9. The Italian Bob
The Italian bob sees a bouncy, curled bob that is reminiscent of Old Hollywood glamour.
“The Italian bob is a longer, bouncier, sensual, and more versatile cut that gives Old Hollywood glamour,” says Clarke. She references actors such as Gene Tierney and Elizabeth Taylor, who have inspired this glamorous haircut that we’ve since seen more recently on the likes of Zendaya. “The Italian bob made its big splash onto our screens on Lucia [played by Simona Tabasco] on season two of The White Lotus, becoming one of the biggest hair trends of 2023 whilst bringing the side parting back from its time out,” she adds.
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10. The Nano Bob
Hairstylists expect short, cropped bobs to rise in popularity in fall/winter 2024.
As we all loved the bob over the past 12 months, we’re beginning to see an experimentation with shorter versions, says Clarke. “The bob is the LBD of the hair world, and Hailey Bieber was very much the bob poster girl of 2023. This cut featured a middle part and blunt baseline, creating a perfect layer-free, ultra-mini bob that grazes just below the jaw. This trend will be going shorter in autumn and winter—time to make way for the nano bob,” she predicts. We’ve seen influencers such as stylist Loïcka Grâce wearing cropped haircuts all over our feeds, and the trend is expected to pick up momentum during the end of the year.
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11. The Airy Bob
Our love of bouncy blowouts isn’t just reserved for longer lengths. The blowout effect looks great on shorter hair too.
Make way for the airy bob in autumn, says Clarke. “Bigger is better with this style, and many of us want that va-va-voom volume. This take on the classic bob with an old money blowout is like a capsule wardrobe for hair—timeless and chic with an edge of sassiness,” she says. With our love for blowout brushes and hair multistylers, there are plenty of great hair tools to achieve this bouncy, aerated style.
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12. The Lob
A shoulder-length lob, or long bob, is a versatile style that still keeps some length in your hair.
Thinking of growing out your current bob? Or perhaps you want to go a little shorter but remain in your comfort zone. The lob is a great choice. “The lob is a longer version of the bob, typically falling just above the shoulders or grazing them,” says Koutsouki. “It offers more styling options whilst maintaining the sophistication of the classic bob.”
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13. The Textured Bob
Layers can add shape and texture to a traditionally sleek bob.
Choppy bobs are back and are great for creating body and volume in your lengths. “Adding layers and texture to a bob creates a more dynamic and voluminous look,” says Koutsouki. “Textured bobs can be achieved through cutting techniques that add movement and dimension to the hair.” Some hairstylists favor a razor to create that effortless texture through the lengths.
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14. The Stacked Bob
This style is great for those who have curly hair or braids.
Consider requesting a subtle gradient to the length of your bob—shorter at the back and longer at the front without an overly dramatic angle. This style really complements the jawline.
Philip Kingsley
Maximizer
Keep this style fresh and defined by maintaining volume at your roots.
This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.
