Here’s the thing about a good haircut: It only takes one photo to spark inspiration. If you’re feeling a little lost this winter, we’re here to help.
Bob haircuts are especially fun because if you’ve been a Refinery29 reader for a while, you know, we appreciate the often subtle but crucial details that make an Italian bob different from a French bob (the former is more cropped at the ears, and the latter is often structured and includes a beat). Here, we break down the top bob trends of the moment — for winter 2025 — in the hopes that they might inspire your next date. Find our predictions with saveable images and style experts, futures.
Sculpted bob
The technique used to create a sculpted bob gives the hair a very vibrant look, “similar to cutting hair using a razor,” explains the stylist Amanda Lee. The cut, which is deliberately developed with tapered ends, was popular in 2018 and 2019 and is making a resurgence. “It’s a creative cut based on removing weight and creating layers that provide lift and movement to the hair,” explains the stylist Cassady Currier.
Inverted bob
Many stylists trace the origins of the flipped bob back to the 60s. “It had a very retro feel,” explains Lee. “Jackie Kennedy is the first name that comes to mind when I think of the inverted bob.” There’s an inherent elegance to this style, but it’s also quite versatile. The current variation is cropped, perhaps slightly asymmetrical, and has a bit of polish. For styling, Lee recommends using a hot brush (like the Medium Warm Mane Brush) to give your hair a good blowout at the ends and a gentle conditioner (she prefers Amy Jay Angelstick) to polish any fins.
Fluffy bob
A fluffy or “soft layered bob” is a modern favorite among stylists. “It’s one of my favorite types of bob haircuts,” says Currier, “and I love that most of them have a deep side part.” Lee considers the fluffy bob a modern take on a classic cut. “The fluffy bob is really just a modern take on the classic bob shape, giving it more volume and movement,” she says. For styling, she recommends a large round brush, a round brush dryer, or a round brush attachment (if you’re using a Dyson).
Japanese bob
“The Japanese bob is also a chin-length bob that really hugs the curve of the face,” says Currier. “This bob is usually parted in the middle and has lovely sweeping layers that sweep away from the face with blunt ends.” The name comes from the country of origin and inspiration. In Japanese hair salons, that’s exactly it a short bob. To style a Japanese bob, Currier recommends using a flat iron and “beveling” sections, curling the hair underneath. But for pieces around the face, “you’ll want to point the flat iron forward in the opposite direction and sweep back toward the ear to give a curved, sweeping look to the fringe,” she explains.
Checkerboard Bob
This bob is fun. It is polished, with a length and hits right at the corners of the mouth. He has some high-fashion assets and demeanor, which is probably why he’s a hairdresser Jordan Luger at New York’s Jenna Perry Salon calls it a “doggy bob.” If you’re thinking of moving up in 2025, this is a charming way to do it.
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