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Here’s the long and short of the matter: a beautiful bob is always in fashion. Some of the planet’s most stylish women, from Victoria Beckham to Lily Collins, have gone for the chop this year, serving up some serious hair inspiration for autumn/winter 2024.
If you’re tempted to go shorter yourself, we’ve rounded up the best bob hairstyle trends to try this season, and asked the experts how to find The One for you.
But before you leap into the salon chair, there are a couple of things to bear in mind first. Happy chopping and changing!
Think of your face shape
Square: a textured bob or a side-parted style soften the angles of the face. Consider incorporating face-framing layers or a soft fringe.
Oval: Most bob styles will complement your face shape, so experiment with various lengths and textures to discover your signature look.
Heart-shaped: Consider a chin-length bob, layered cut and/or a side-swept fringe to balance a wider forehead.
Long: a textured or layered bob flatters this face shape. Adding tousled waves and soft curls works well, too.
Be ready for regular maintenance
Bobs require more frequent trims to maintain their shape. See your stylist every four to six weeks to keep the style fresh and neat, advises Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY'S global creative director and two-times British Hairdresser of the Year. “They can also add tweaks and personalise it to keep it looking modern and on trend.”
Use the right products
Go for lightweight styling products such as mousses, texturising sprays, and light creams to add volume and definition to your bob without weighing it down, says Cos. “You’ll be using less product on shorter hair, so focus on lightweight formulas such as LABEL.M Volume Foam which is ideal for fine hair, creating lasting body, softness and shine.” You may need to wash your bob more often, adds Cos, as shorter hair can get greasier faster.
Adapt your styling techniques
Practise new ways of styling your new hair. Use a round brush while blow-drying to add lift and shape and always finish with a cool shot from your hairdryer. When you get your hair cut, ask your stylist for styling tips. Experiment with irons and waving wands to add different finishes
Take it slow
You don’t have to go long to short in one step, says HOB Salons international creative director Akin Konizi. “It can be too dramatic and all you’ll see is the short hair rather than the beautiful hairstyle you’ve now got. Replacing long layers with something more structured round the shoulder is the perfect introduction.” Don't panic if your hair is shorter than you expected. "Try to embrace it: play around with different ways to style it,” says Akin. "It takes at least a week to adapt to a shorter new ‘do."
Ready to go? Here are the best new bob hairstyles to try right now
Scandi bob
Move over French bob, the simple and effortlessly chic Scandi bob is this season’s destination style. ‘It’s inspired by the cool girls of Copenhagen, and it exudes confidence,” says celebrity stylist and Percy & Reed founder Paul Percival. “It typically sits right below the chin, and the idea is that the thickness is even from root to ends. If you do have slightly curlier or textured hair then you can ask for a few simple layers so that texture has a bit of bounce. Overall, the outline of the haircut is more like a box bob - super straight, no graduation - so you have a perfect line.”
Midi bob
Victoria Beckham, we salute you for this beautifully wearable style. The midi bob is a great option if you’re feeling nervous about going shorter, because even if you’re losing several inches, there’s still enough length for this to feel like a soft refresh rather than a huge transformation. We love how versatile it is too, giving the option to tie it up, or add textured waves, flicks or a super-straight, glossy finish.
Bell-bottom bob V2.0
This trend first flicked up in spring, but it’s back for a/w, says trendspotter Tom Smith, aka The Hairvoyant. Version 2.0 is “a chic statement” with the flicked-out shape worn sleek to the head and combined with astrict side or central parting. “When tucked behind the ears, this style can widen a long face. A middle parting will show off a symmetrical face, while a side parting will better flatter a less symmetrical face.”
Crown curls bob
Who says curly girls can’t wear a bob? Try this style for size. “With a curved silhouette and lots of volume this celebrates curls and their 3D power!” says Tom. “This style can be adjusted to suit a variety of face shapes by lifting all the hair away from the face, or retaining some softness and face framing.”
Hydro Bob
If you’ve already got a bob and are looking for a new way to wear it, try the hydro bob, suggests Paul. “It’s a wet look version; the cut is still all about that sharp box shape, but what sets the hydro bob apart from the standard bob is the high-fashion sleek, wet finish. It's all about turning up that dewy, glossy look.” For both hold and gloss, Paul recommends applying Percy & Reed Wonder Balm to damp hair followed by several pumps of Percy & Reed Wonder Treatment Oil. Voila: a whole new look, without a cut.
Rounded bob
Nobody has made us want to cut our hair short more than Lily Collins. She's worn hers bob sleek, slicked back and poker straight, but one of our favourites is this full and glossy version with curved, flicked ends. Pass us the big round brush now.
Laser bob
Tom Smith has pinpointed this style as one of his favourites for the new season. “It’s a perfectly measured, sharp and precise, one length bob,” he explains. “It works best with a middle parting and can be combined with a fringe if desired.” The ‘pure’ version of this trend places the bob “between the very top of the shoulder and the corner of the jaw, but it can be adjusted to suit many face shapes,” he adds.
“For a softer result go for chin length or longer, or for a bolder alternative go above the chin. Best styled straight or with minimal texture, this is a great option for those with fine hair as the cut will increase the appearance of thickness in the hair.” Use smoothing, heat-protecting products when you blowdry, then irons on a low temperature to seal in the style.
Tucked bob
Never underestimate the power of your ears: they’re not called as the "nature's jewellery” for nothing. Show those beauties off with a bob cut, either one-length or lightly layered, that's secured behind one or both ears. “Tucking your hair can have an androgynous or business-like energy,” explains Tom. “It’s great for widening a narrow or long face, or helping to improve the look of thickness in finer hair types.”
The tucked bob works best on hair that has a bit of product in it, as hair that’s too clean and fluffy can be hard to keep behind the ear. “Use a volume spray or mousse before blow-drying for extra style support, plus a strong hold hair spray on the hair around the ear to secure.” (Or get a grip, if all else fails.)
Razor cut bob
This bob has a more shattered look at the ends, because - as the name suggests - that finish is created with a razor rather scissors. “This means it moves more easily; it’s less solid,” says Paul. “The razor cut bob is very much something people are coming into the salon and asking for. I like to apply Percy & Reed Wonder Balm on damp hair to still get that rock ‘n roll edge all around but without any frizz.”
Country bob
Who else but Queen Bey to step out with a country bob? This retro style is blunt-cut in a voluminous C shape, with the ends perfectly rounded. Admittedly Beyonce’s version is a wig, but where she leads, others follow for real.
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