The Best Bob Hairstyles for 2023
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
No, you aren’t imagining it—hot girls are cutting off their hair.
We’re seeing bob haircuts everywhere: Zendaya, Hailey Bieber, and Aubrey Plaza are just some of the celebrities giving us major hairspiration right now. “Anyone can rock a bob,” says Bobby Michael, co-owner of Manhattan’s Maverick House salon and Randco global educator. Yes, we talked to a hairstylist named Bobby about bobs. “It comes down to suitability. Face shape plays a major part in deciding length, and we can play with this to showcase a person’s most striking features.”
We’ve both taken the shears to our strands recently and can confirm—it’s freeing. And with so many ways to style them, there is literally a bob for everyone. “The most popular version of the bob right now is the ‘Italian bob,’” Bobby Michael adds. “Say goodbye to matte, beachy waves and hello to sophisticated bounce and shine.” Our advice before going all-in is to find photos of cuts you love and bring them to your hairstylist. Whether you want super-layered shag like Jenna Ortega, a tight single-shear like Lori Harvey, or something else—your vision will be clearly communicated.
So, whether you’re looking for inspo for a fresh new look or thinking of ways to spice up your current style, we’ve gathered our favorite bob looks from ELLE readers and celebs to assist you on your journey. Happy clipping!
Modern Italian Bob Hairstyle
Zendaya’s “Italian bob” is so romantic and windswept—move over Tom Holland, we’re coming in! Celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen has been credited with this chop, and you can book an appointment at her eponymous Brooklyn-based salon to get the exact same cut.
Sleek Middle Part Long Bob
Everything Selena Gomez does makes waves—like this lob she wore on the red carpet. Styled sleek with the ends flipped in, it feels distinctly ’90s with the Rachel-like face framing pieces.
The Wolf Cut
Yes, this is very wolfy bob that inspired ELLE reader Ailin Lu to chop off her hair. To get Jenna Ortega’s look, ask for a super-shaggy and piecey cut (almost like a relaxed, grown-out mullet), plus curtain bangs.
Dancing With Wolves
“This hair style was inspired by Jenna Ortega’s wolf cut on The Tonight Show. My incredible hairstylist Frankie cuts it so I can get away with very minimal styling. All I need to do is keep up with a nice hair conditioner after I shower.” ~ ELLE Reader, Ailin Lu, Kansas City, MO
A Bob with a Bang!
Taylor Swift’s chin length bob, which had her signature lash-skimming bangs, was a signature look in her 1989 era. And while it’s a bit of a mystery who cuts Swift’s hair (Gareth Bromell, is that you?), that’s okay because you can easily have it, too.
Curl Queen
“The women around me always inspire my looks. My big sister, Joya, has been rocking long bobs for a minute! She’s an OG, so she’s definitely one of the reasons I went for it.” ~ ELLE Reader, Keyaira Kelly, Brooklyn, NY
Blunt Cut Bob Hairstyle
Debuted on her TikTok, Hailey Bieber’s blunt bob was cut by her longtime stylist Amanda Lee Capomaccio right before the 2023 Oscars. This isn’t the first time she’s chopped it all off (maybe craving a fresh start with all the drama that's been going on?) but since she’s a trendsetter in the beauty world, we know plenty of people will be following suit.
Old Hollywood Curls
Hairstylist Kiyah Wright got the Old Hollywood memo for Laverne Cox’s voluminous curls on the Golden Globes red carpet. (If you want to try the look with hot rollers, DIY tips here.)
Sleek Micro Bob With Bangs
Bones and All actress Taylor Russell’s debut red carpet season made waves in all the right ways. Not only were the sartorial choices incredible (Alexander McQueen! Schiaparelli! Loads of couture vintage!), but her micro blunt bob was, too. This glossy look was created by Gigi and Bella Hadid-approved stylist Evanie Frausto.
Braided Lob
“This January was the first time I had ever done a knotless braid bob style and you will 100 percent see me with it again in the near future. My knotless braid bob style was inspired by a cross between Coi Leray and Lori Harvey’s hairstyles to the Tom Ford show during fashion week in New York last September. I loved this style because it is super low maintenance, workout friendly, and provided the flexibility of styling. Sometimes I wore it half up-half down, in two space buns, a ponytail—the list goes on.” ~ ELLE Reader, Yemi Kolawole, Brooklyn, NY
Faux Bob Style
The star of Netflix’s Squid Game, HoYeon Jung, is known for changing up her hair (Kathleen Hou reports she was known as the “model on fire” after a bit of a mixup at the salon). And while this lady-like bob at the Emmy Awards was just a faux hairstyle fete by Jenny Cho, we think she should brave the shears and go all in.
Sleek and Chic
“I can’t argue with a haircut that requires little time to style and is chic with no makeup, full cat eye, errands, or evening wear. It’s one way I get to be effortless. Because my daily wardrobe goes anywhere from vintage slips and Converses to some kind of controversial all-black look.” ~ ELLE Reader, Kayla Marmillion, Austin, TX
The Classic Bob Hairstyle
Look familiar? That’s because this is the very haircut Reberta Charles referenced for their bob inspiration. Rihanna’s version, done by Ursula Stephen (who also cuts Zendaya’s hair!) this was a hot change for the singer that lives on as one of her best looks.
Beachy Waves and a Lob
Actress Reese Witherspoon’s sunshine-y demeanor carries on to her red carpet vibe, too. Her gorgeous blonde hair was styled with a large barrel curling iron for this 2020 red carpet.
A Chic Chop
“My bob haircut was inspired by my move from Los Angeles to Philadelphia to pursue my career in fashion. Being born and raised in Los Angeles, coming out of a 6-year relationship, and graduating college, I was ready for change (and a chop!). With this new energy unlocked, my bob has since lived many gorgeous lives (black, red with red eyebrows, and brown with bleached eyebrows).” ~ ELLE Reader, Sophia Valenzuela, Philadelphia, PA
Ballet Chic Bob Style
If balletcore was a bob, it’d be this elegant cut on actress Maya Hawke. It’s rumored that the nepo baby (mom is Uma Thurman, dad is Ethan Hawke) has a pretty famous hairstylist—her mom.
The Wet Look
The year is 2016, and actress and rapper Teyana Taylor has just wowed the world in K*nye West’s “Fade”music video—with a wet-look bob that she continues to wear on the red carpet. If you’re a fan of the wet look, shorter hair makes it easier to pull off.
Barbie Beach Waves
The star of Barbie and former Chanel fashion girlie, Margot Robbie, rocked this slightly asymmetrical bob for a full year post-Wolf of Wall Street and we loved it.
A Bob With a Wispy Bang
“I literally walked into the salon and showed my hairstylist a picture of (the goat) Rihanna and told her this is exactly what I wanted. I think having a bob is just fun and stylish! It really speaks on my character of being a fashionista and having an eclectic one-of-a-kind style.” ~ ELLE Reader, Reberta Charles, Atlanta, GA
’50s Vintage Bob Style
An OG adopter of the bob, actress Elizabeth Taylor rocked a few different versions during her career, all with that breezy romantic style of the ’50s.
Single Length Bob Hairstyle
Michaela Coel’s roles in I May Destroy You and Wakanda Forever have given her many different (all equally incredible) hairstyles but we especially love this single-length bob because... well, holy cheekbones.
Lady in Red
British singer and songwriter Raye has styled her black cherry-red bob into a few different styles this year, but we love this super-modern sleek and straight vibe.
Side Part Bob Style
ELLE Reader Marie Driven knows the magic of a Kelly Rowland haircut and was inspired by this look. This bob Rowland’s rocking is especially magical—all one length, it looks gorgeous and glamorous in a deep side part.
Making Waves
“The inspiration behind this bob is Kelly Rowland’s layered bob she rocked in 2017 for VH1 red carpet. What I love about the bob is the edgy cut and the loose spiral curls, which add volume and body to the hairstyle. It’s allowed me to showcase my personality via my hair.” ~ ELLE Reader, Marie Driven, Brooklyn, NY
Old Hollywood Inspired Bob
Emily in Paris, who? Actress Lily Collins doesn’t need Sex and the City alum costume designer Patricia Field to make a splash. Her Audrey Hepburn-like looks and gorgeous, curled-in long bob is both sleek and stylish.
A Naturale Texture Bob
Blunt and parted smoothly down the middle, Zazie Beetz natural texture looks gorgeous in this slightly layered blunt bob. And the cheekbone length is so chic and flattering.
Wavy Wonderland
“Shorter hair creates unique proportions around my face and the lighter weight makes the wave pattern unpredictable in a good way!” ~ ELLE Reader, Katie Mouallek, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bumped Bob Hairstyle
Every era for Lori Harvey is a hot girl era, but we especially love this curved in bob.
Classic Windswept Bob
Another Old Hollywood inspiration for you—actress Lauren Bacall was known for her windswept curls.
Effortlessly Chic Waves
Nobody does model-off-duty chic like Kaia Gerber (maybe because it’s in her blood?)—and her 2020 bob further solidified her cool-girl ease. Los Angeles hairstylist Aaron King chopped the long curtain bangs and slightly textured bob, resulting in instant French girl vibes.
Chic to the Chin
“My bob was inspired by needing a change after the pandemic. The minute I moved into my new apartment, I felt like shedding my hair to go along with the new change. I wanted to embrace my face, which I use to shy away from doing previously.” ~ ELLE Reader, Dominique Panton, Brooklyn, NY
Platinum Layered Bob
When singer Billie Eilish first debuted this textured blunt bob—ditching her signature two-toned green and black styled she was famous for—the world freaked out.
Honey Blonde Beauty
We admire everything from the cut to the honey-blonde color of Meagan Good’s hair in this pic. Pulled into a deep side part at the season premiere of her Amazon Prime show, Harlem, it feels both formal and model-off-duty.
Shot Bob with Blunt Bangs
In a post-Vampire Diaries world, actress Kat Graham is still giving us looks that won’t die. Like this 1940s-inspired fashion moment, paired with a layered bob and textured bangs. Perfection.
Ombre Bob
“I’m a new mom to a toddler, I’ve been through so many postpartum hair changes (including breakage and loss) and I was in need of a fun, fresh change—call it a mini glow-up. I feel like the bob hairstyle is chic, versatile, edgy, and sexy; it’s the mama hair snapback I needed to start embracing my new self! I love the style so much and it just instantly perks up my mood and amps up my style.” ~ ELLE Reader, Chanel Tyler, Chicago, IL
Glitz and Glamour Bob
In a post-White Lotus universe, Aubery Plaza is giving us Old Hollywood Glamour. This is a longer version of the Italian bob—windswept and gorgeous.
Shoulder Brushing Bob Hairstyle
Gemma Chan’s presence on the red carpet always wows and we especially loved this shoulder-skimming straight blunt bob.
The Long Bob aka The Lob
In the evolution of Kristen Stewart’s hair, she’s had it all. This strawberry blonde lob is unexpected but playful, and maybe she’s one of the only people who could pull it off.
Pixie Cut Turned Bob
“I’m growing out a pixie cut and luckily, I have a very talented hairstylist, Jaqueline Cuevas, who understands the vision. She’s made sure to keep my hair on trend as I grow it out!” ~ ELLE Reader, Brenda Amaro, San Antonio, TX
Asymmetrical Side Part Bob
A little asymmetrical, a little layered. Cut by Gabrielle Union’s longtime hair collaborator Larry Sims, this bob suits the star’s playful and sophisticated fashion taste.
Balayage Bob
“I was inspired to get a bob honestly by my best friends, who told me it complimented my face. It is way easier to maintain and not so hot. I wanted to step into my adult era and felt this was a good start.” ~ ELLE Reader, Anna Commander, Orlando, FL
Braided Beauty
“This specific style can be attributed Black women’s long-love for braids during vacation and international travel. The ease of being able to dress up or down mixed with not having to restyle your hair between a large variety of activities. I think a lot of us associate this bob as a staple from Jada Pinkett Smith in the cult classic film Set It Off. I’ve wanted them since I saw her in them as a child. My first Carnival seemed like the perfect opportunity to utilize this style.” ~ ELLE Reader, Destiny Colson, Boca Grande, FL
Messy and Relaxed Bob
The geniuses at Manhattan’s Jenna Perry Hair are the architects behind Tommy Dorfman’s cool girl bob. Chopped by Jess Gillin (a wonder with a pair of sharp shears) and painted New York blonde by Perry’s hands herself, Dorfman continues to rock the bob to this day.
Curly Bob Hairstyle
James Beard Award winning chef Sophia Roe’s hair is always making rounds on curly girl Pinterest boards. The angular cut by Renée Gadar really shows off her tight curls and the bangs highlight her perfect brows. Wow, some people really can have it all.
’90’s Nostalgia
We love nostalgia Instagram accounts, which introduced us to this vintage shot of actress Nia Long. This was during her soap opera era (shout out to Guiding Light fans) and right before she went full pixie to portray Will Smith’s girlfriend, Lisa, on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Iconic.
Straight Bangs with a Sharp Cut
Somehow, it’s the same cut as Limecat, but just so much better. This graduated bob with straight across bangs was such a stylish time in the actress’s life. Shay Mitchell? More like Slay Mitchell.
Sharp Blonde Bob
The razor-sharp cut and incredibly ice-blonde shade of this single-length bob—seen at Alice & Olivia’s Fall/Winter 2023 presentation—gives it so much edge. It stopped our Digital Beauty Director, Danielle James, in her tracks.
Layered Bob Cut
Ciara stunned on the red carpet in this slightly graduated (aka layers around the ends to give a little bit of shape and body to the hair) chin-length bob.
Short and Sweet
Actress Shannon Thornton wore this super blunt bob cut at one length (except for her bangs!) to the Critics’ Choice Association 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema & Television.
Meet the Expert
Hairstylist Bobby Michael is the c0-owner of Manhattan’s Maverick House salon and Randco global educator.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
Beauty editor Margaux Anbouba is obsessed with predicting the trends and bringing them straight to you—as she’s tried them out on her face and confirmed aren’t terrible, of course.
Tasha Nicole Smith has been immersed in the world of beauty for her entire life and takes a special interest in hair care and styling, she even does all of her own hairstyles. Braids, twists, cuts—you name it!
You Might Also Like
