It’s undeniable, 2021 was the year of bob haircuts. And though there have been some contenders for the top cut of 2021 (looking at you The Shag, The Mullet, XXL length and even, layers), bobs have held onto its title for another year as the cool-girl cut we can’t get enough of.
Looking through the year, there’s been endless inspiration and iterations that served Big Bob Energy. It’s easy to see why such a versatile cut has established itself so firmly on our radar. But, with so many versions of the bob to choose from, we’ve edited down our top hitters from this year.
Here’s an insider secret – the ‘90s crop bob was the most clicked-on cut amongst GLAMOUR readers in 2021. Why? Because it’s smokin’. Inspired by the ‘90s and powered with a little nostalgia, it’s the cool-girl cut everyone wants. Shorter than your average bob, it’s not just about the length, “it’s about how it’s been cut,” explains top hairstylist, Luke Hersheson. “It’s not too precise. It’s more hacked – so it’s trying to achieve what a haircut looks like six weeks in, rather than one day after.” Basically, it should feel a little lived-in, which means you can relax slightly on the styling front.
When we asked top hairdressers for the cool-girl cuts they always get asked for one style in particular caught our attention. Dubbed by Adam Reed, UK Editorial Ambassador for L’Oréal Professionnel, as the “boyfriend bob” it’s a more relaxed and oversized (or “blockier”) fit. A bit like stealing your boyfriend’s T-shirt. “It’s a square outlined, shorter blockier bob,” explains Adam. “What’s great about this is it can be ironed smooth and glossy to get it looking super sharp or can be left looking tousled.”
The polished bob majors on another one of the biggest hair trends this year: hair health. With more time at home (at the start of the year) we were able to dedicate more time to hair masks, serums and oils and this style is the fruits of that labour. The key is not so much in the styling as it is in the prep. To achieve a polished bob, you’ll need to invest in a few essential products to protect and nourish each strand for a super-healthy looking glossy finish.
Lacking oomph and root lift? The airy bob is a prime example of when a cut can do a lot of the work for you. Skilful layering and shaping makes for a bob so light, voluminous, and breezy, it defies gravity. That, and an exceptional lifting spray, hair stylist Hollie Rose Clarke recommends Kevin Murphy’s Anti.Gravity Spray (£23).
We’re already fans of the Brit bob and the French bob and, hot off the back of Milan Fashion Week, earlier this year we’ve been seriously crushing on the Italian bob. A little more glam than the others, it features the full-bodied and luxuriously polished texture that Italian film sirens and fashionistas, like Monica Bellucci, are known for. Plus the length is a little longer than trad bobs. “It’s short enough to turn heads but long enough to tie up,” explain Sean and Nick from leading London salon, The Hair Bros.
If you’re unsure whether to grow your hair out or crop it short and want the best of both, try the outgrown bob. It’s a beautiful middle-ground between going shorter, but not too short and is versatile enough to style into updos.
We always love a spin on a classic and the tucked bob, created by hair stylist, James Earnshaw, does exactly this. which is why it’s been one of our favourite bobs of 2021. “This cute ‘90s tucked-under bob gives the ’french girl bob’ a revival,” James told GLAMOUR. The shorter, cheekier shape is gritty and edgy, but still super sweet.
The layered bob is great if you have longer length and want to make your way toward a shorter cut on your own timescale. Instead of blunt edges, think: a feathered, subtle, soft finish. “What I love about the layered bob is that you can simply adjust the length to flatter your face shape and add a little texture around the base to keep it fresh,” Mark Leeson, Revlon Professional Global Artistic Ambassador, told GLAMOUR.
This one pretty much does what it says on the tin, but just because it’s simple, doesn’t mean the fringed bob isn’t stunning. The combination of two classics: the bob and the fringe, both complement each other and take the individual elements to the next level. How cute do they look together?
Princess Diana was an icon during her lifetime and she’s still inspiring the trends now. With biopic, Spencer, out already (Kristen Stewart’s playing Lady Di) and filming for season five of The Crown underway, the modern Diana bob is big news for 2021.
Like the fringed bob, this is another match made in heaven. The Shag has been one of the biggest trends to dominate 2021, but crop it above your shoulders and you have yourself the shaggy bob. Obsessed.
The go-to cut if you want something ultra slick and meticulously precise, the paper-cut bob. This sees hair cut into a razor sharp line without a layer in sight. Not only does this style always look super chic, it can also be a great way to re-set hair if you’ve been wearing long layers or experimenting with ombré or dip dyed ends, creating a beautiful blank canvas.
Love the idea of bob haircuts, but want to keep things feeling casual? The soft-blunt bob is a good place to start. The cut is less harsh along the bottom than a dead-straight sliced blunt bob and it’s designed to deliberately look a little worn-in. Therefore it offers a cute, relaxed shape that’s easy to maintain and a cut that offers up extra texture.