A classic that never dates

It's hard to think of a cut with more staying power — and there's no point pretending otherwise. The short bob with a straight fringe, worn continuously for decades in certain fashion circles, has never really left salons. A few years ago, the blonde graduated bob — cut blunt at the jawline and styled very sleek — made its mark for two seasons. Alongside it, other silhouettes went for a long, sleek, straight, no-fuss bob.

Short brown bob with a blunt straight fringe, seen from a three-quarter rear view on a pale beige background
The short bob with a straight fringe: decades old and still not dated

What changes from one decade to the next is never the base shape: it's the length, the fringe and the texture. A glossy graduated micro-bob, a more grown-up version with a side-swept fringe, a short chocolate bob curled for volume… same structure, three completely different looks.

What we're seeing right now

We're loving the platinum bob, sharply cut with a sleek finish. The bob with a fringe, full or tapered. The wet-look bob, styled with gel for a wet effect. The short bob with a full fringe, which gives the face structure. What do they have in common? A cut designed around your natural texture, not around a photo.

Wet-look bob styled with gel, defined parting, young woman sitting in a hair salon
The wet look, created with gel on towel-dried hair

Match the cut to your texture

In practice, it's the cutting technique that makes the biggest difference. On fine hair, ask for a short or mid-length bob, cut in one clean line, with little layering: the more hair you remove, the thinner the hair looks. On thick hair, it's the opposite — internal layers lighten the bulk and help avoid a helmet effect. On curls, the cut is done dry, curl by curl, otherwise the length shrinks once dry and you end up with a shorter cut than you planned.

Hairdresser cutting a curly bob dry, curl by curl, in a hair salon
On curly hair, the cut is done dry, curl by curl

A fringe is a real commitment

A fringe should be treated like a contract: in practice, many hairdressers advise regular trims — but how often depends above all on your hair growth, so ask your hairdresser — otherwise it loses its shape and goes in every direction. And allow a realistic drying time. A sleek bob needs directed blow-drying with a round brush — not just a quick blast on wet hair in the hope that it will fall straight.

What about upkeep?

A bob is a cut that evolves. In practice, regular trims are often advised, adapted to your growth and the look you want: a little more often if the fringe is short, a little less if you're happy to let the ends soften. If you want to stretch out appointments, choose a cut that is lightly layered through the lengths — it grows out more elegantly than a blunt bob, which quickly starts to look grown out.

With products, be wary of overly rich formulas: they weigh hair down and make the cut drop. A lightweight treatment through the mid-lengths and ends, a serum to smooth flyaway ends, and that's often more than enough.

The routine that keeps a bob in shape

After shampooing, squeeze out excess water without rubbing, then apply a pea-sized amount of treatment through the mid-lengths and ends only, never on the roots. Dry upside down for the roots, then use a round brush turned inwards to shape the ends. A few extra minutes in the morning often help the cut hold its shape for longer.

What it costs

In the UK, a women's cut in a local or chain salon often costs around £25–£45. At a stylist-led salon in a city, expect more like £50–£100, and £150 or more at high-end salons. Hairdressing colleges often offer reduced rates, around £10–£25, although the appointment takes longer. These are only estimates: prices vary widely by city, salon and technique, so check local prices before you book.

What pushes the bill up? Length, technique (scissors, razor, thinning) and whether the shampoo and blow-dry are included or charged separately. For a maintenance bob, a local salon is often enough; for a first short bob with a fringe, it's worth paying more once and leaving with a properly constructed cut.