The French bob is shaping up to be one of summer’s biggest hair trends. Maybe it’s the heat making us crave a fresh chop, or perhaps it’s the appeal of a hairstyle that somehow manages to feel polished, effortless and cool all at once. Whatever the reason, it’s quickly becoming one of the season’s most-requested salon cuts.
A softer, more relaxed take on the classic bob haircut, the French bob typically sits somewhere between the cheekbones and jawline and is designed to work with, rather than against, your natural texture. The result is a cut that feels chic but never too ‘done’ with a slightly lived-in feel.
Just take your cue from the celebrity circuit: Emma Stone, Bruna Marquezine and Ayo Edebiri have all recently swapped long hair in favour of shorter styles, and it’s easy to understand why. The French bob is as versatile as it is flattering, and depending on how you wear it, can be radical, rebellious, sexy and very, very chic.
With its undone texture and nonchalant finish, the crop embodies the effortless aesthetic that’s dominating beauty right now and the Parisian chop is about as chic as a haircut can get, which is why it’s set to go stratospheric this summer.
What is the French bob?
So what exactly makes a bob “French”? Traditionally, they’re cut daringly short around the mouth line and often paired with a straight, brow-skimming fringe. Today, however, the style has evolved into something a little softer and less prescriptive.
“The French bob is a super chic, effortless and textured bob,” explains Patrick Wilson, legendary hair stylist and ghd ambassador. “It’s all about the angles, cut and how you style it. The idea of this look is to work with natural-looking texture – soft, touchable texture, natural movement, nothing too styled.”