There are certain trends — ahem, the Rachel — that can influence an entire decade (the 90s) and subsequently new trends each season after that. Currently, while the modern-day versions of the Rachel are trending all over town, another even more iconic movement is taking place — the rise of The Bob.
While most attribute the bob to Vidal Sassoon in the 1960s, the haircut has an even earlier history. Some date the style back to the 1890s with French actress Polaire. Others say the inspiration came from Joan of Arc as the look became famous in 1909 Paris culture, and still others pointed to Irene Castle in 1915. With a strong history, it is no wonder the iconic shape continues to trend presently season after season.
Current Bob Haircut Trends
The cut has continued to trend and be reimagined in the ‘20s (the 2020s, that is). When it comes to celebrities who have been spotted wearing variations of the look, the list is a mile long. Not to mention the iterations — we’ve seen The Diana Bob, The Boy Bob, The Boyfriend Bob, The Botticelli Bob, Fringed Bobs, The Airy Bob, The Jawbone Bob, The Chopped Bob, The Undone Bob, The Expensive Bob, The Italian Bob, The Butterfly Bob, and the latest Sleek Bob (aka "Slob"). Almost every season, we’ve got a new name for it, and the truth is, as individuality becomes paramount, we’ll continue to see new terms coined as the style is tailored to each person.
Bob Trends We’ve Seen in the ‘20s (2020’s)
When it comes to picking a haircut, the most important factor is choosing a style that suits you and your lifestyle. A bob haircut might not be your best choice, but if it is, we’ve got all the inspiration you need to show at your next appointment.
The Diana Bob
The same group of people who fell in love with Princess Diana’s effortless street style is the same group of people who are rendering their own version of the “Diana” bob. Princess Diana’s signature cut is easily recognized by the blond tresses, shoulder-length resting spot, and, of course, voluminous feathered waves that knew exactly where to fall. Today, however, the newest generation of hairstylists and hair lovers, have taken the signature cut and modernized it. Wearers of the modern “Diana” bob are opting for a more relaxed and edgy version of the do. Instead of the bob having each strand in its specific place, with this modern version, hair can be a little more teased and have a mind of its own. This new take on a classic look encourages a bit of punk style and embraces being a little less put together.
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The Boy Bob
We’ve seen our fair share of bobs over the years. With a new length, finish, texture or trend taking over each season. This year, we’ll see a new style taking precedent, born out of a familiar face.
You might have found Anine Bing through her fashion or excellently stacked earrings, but what we’ve taken away from her style over the past few seasons is her stellar hairstyle — the boy bob. An effortless length, easily slicked back daily into a sleek style, so gorgeous you’ll dream of chopping off your hair at any length to recreate the look.
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The Boyfriend Bob
We've already seen the trend on celebs like Zoe Kravitz and Lucy Boynton. This new shape takes on a slightly longer shape that almost feels like a lob, but with a 60s finish. A square shape allows the wearer to play up straight, flipped, waved or curl finishes. To add something a little extra, go for a punchy global color or add a fringe.
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The Botticelli Bob
Botticelli waves and the Botticelli bob are the latest hair trends to be passed down from above. Named for the Renaissance-inspired look, the trend captures natural texture in a new light and celebrates loose, undone, unstructured and tousled strands. Somewhere between undone waves, fluffy curls and salty waves we find Botticelli. Soft and ultimately ethereal this romantic look is ideal when its slightly messy and fluffy. We’re seeing them everywhere from the red carpet to wedding trends and everyday looks.
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Fringed Bobs
Pairing together a classic bob with an edgy fringe creates one iconic cut — the fringed bob. We’ve seen both trends rise in popularity over the past few seasons, but pair them together and you’ve got a knockout style. Bringing the timeless nature of a bob together with the sultry vision of an eye-skimming fringe — this duo creates a new signature style we’re bound to see everywhere. The beautiful thing about this trend is the ability to tailor the cut to each individual hair type and texture. Play around with your finished style and you’ve got an even more unique look.
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The Airy Bob
The airy bob has a slightly longer shape than a traditional bob, falling below the jawline. Although it has a substantial weight line, this bob has more texture and layers for low-maintenance styling. The overall result is less sleek and more voluminous, with a length long enough that it can easily be pulled back into a low pony or bun.
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The Jawbone Bob
A bob trend Sassoon himself would surely approve of. The jawbone bob — the latest length to go viral — takes inspiration from his classic bob, adding texture and bounce for a modern finish. We've seen it on Hailey Bieber, Ciara, Kourtney Kardashian, and more — so what is it and how do you get the look?
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The Chopped Bob
Bits, clips, and memes from Netflix’s Wednesday have been popping up in everyone’s feeds. Whether you’re re-watching or binging it during the holidays, we’re interested in the show for a slightly different reason. The show's star, Jenna Ortega, has shed her long Wednesday-Esque braided locks in favor of a fresh chop — the chopped bob, a.k.a the wolf cut bob. Ortega turned heads on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon not only because of her jaw-dropping outfit but also because of her new cut to match. Apart from everyone being obsessed with Jenny, we also see her as an emerging style icon.
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The Undone Bob
An undone bob typically features textured layers with a choppy, tousled finish. The length of the bob can vary based on desire or hair type and texture, but it usually falls just above the shoulders or chin. To create an undone bob, hair is typically cut in a way that builds in texture and movement through cutting techniques. This can be achieved with choppy layers or by using texturizing scissors or techniques to add depth and dimension to the hair or with a razor to create a softer, more natural-looking finish.
The Expensive Bob
As a stark contrast to the popular Undone Bob, the latest haircut trend making headlines is the “Expensive Bob.” From brunette to blonde and now bobs, the internet has been loving everything “expensive” lately. However, this high-end look doesn’t require a new hair budget — simply a few tweaks to your cut and styling routine.
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The Italian Bob
The look is essentially a bob length that features a heavy, voluminous feel to it that can be described as “chunky.” It has gained popularity because it can be worn styled or natural, it is long enough to still be tied back, can be parted any which way, and can easily be grown out into a mid-length cut if this style doesn’t suit.
The overall vibe takes on a classic 60s feel and can work on just about any hair type. Glamorous when paired with a sleek blowout or chic when highlighting natural texture, it looks great no matter how much effort you put into it — which is where the appeal lies.
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The Butterfly Bob
We’ve seen the Curve Cut, the Bixie, and just about every iteration of the bob we thought was possible. However, as we head into spring, all of the season’s favorite haircuts are finding fresh inspiration in shorter lengths—case in point: The Butterfly Bob.
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Sleek Bob (aka "Slob")
The blended name, The Slob, was coined by George Northwood, known for creating some of the most famous modern-day bobs on celebs and socialites such as Alexa Chung, Claire Foy, Daisy Edgar Jones and Princess Olympia of Greece.
The key to creating the look starts with the cut and then comes down to the style. The line of the slob is heavy and falls in a single length. This look doesn’t typically feature a fringe and instead opts for a bang area that falls in line with the longest lengths.
