If 2023 gave us anything, it was a deep, undying appreciation for the bob haircut. That’s not to say that the shorter ’do wasn’t in style before — in fact, it’s one of the most classic cuts out there, and has been evolving with the times since the 1920s.
This year, however, the shoulder-length(ish) haircut had everyone abuzz. It all seemed to begin when Hailey Bieber, ever the trendsetting queen, posted photos of her chop back in January. Other celebs joined the bob club this year, too, including Lori Harvey, Zendaya, Halsey, and even long-hair lover Kourtney Kardashian Barker.
On social media, the bob has racked up more than 1.5 billion views on TikTok, with thousands of folks showing off their short hair transformations. One by one, it seems like every celeb — and an assortment of your friends, most likely — has had their bob moment, proving that 2023 truly is the year of the bob.
But no two bobs are necessarily the same; one of the most beautiful things about the haircut is that it comes in countless iterations, including the blunt, the contour, the French bob, and, of course, the power bob (one of the year’s most popular cuts). For a recap of everyone’s favorite look, keep scrolling to see 2023’s biggest bob trends.
The Power Bob
Lori Harvey’s sleek haircut is a perfect example of the power bob. This variation is all one length, and it’s often extra short and sleek — you won’t see any texture, wave, or layers here. Instead, the look leans straight and severe — hence why it evokes big girl boss energy (think Shiv Roy on Succession).
The Blunt Bob
A blunt bob is always going to be a classic. It’s one length, often lands at the jawline, and can be worn both curly or straight. To get an idea, take a look at the cut Kourtney Kardashian Barker debuted mid-summer. Its more carefree nature and styling versatility separates the look from its more corporate counterpart — the power bob.
The Wolf Cut Lob
The shaggy wolf cut has been popular for a couple of years now, but 2023 is when its ’70s-inspired layers made their way into the bob world. This undone look is the perfect way to try short hair while still hanging onto extra length.
The layers also keep it from looking too polished, which is why it gives off mega rockstar vibes. Case in point? Megan Fox’s cut, which she’s been showing off — along with her brand-new red hair color — since September.
The Butterfly Bob
When you add lots of bouncy waves that float above your shoulders, you get the butterfly bob. Just like the lengthier butterfly haircut that counts J.Lo as a fan, this bob variation includes face-framing layers, as well as curtain-style fringe or arched McDonald’s bangs, to give it that tousled, wavy effect.
Zendaya showed off the look this year on the 2023 NAACP Image Awards red carpet, where she proved this style evokes true old Hollywood glamour.
The Precision Bob
If any bob was popular in 2023, it was Hailey Bieber’s. Her go-to cut lands between the jawline and shoulders and has just a touch of layering. Despite its short length, it’s incredibly versatile in terms of styling.
Bieber has added coquette bows to hers, and has also rocked the wet, slicked-back look. She tried a tousled wave too for the Oscars afterparty, proving you can do just as much with a short cut as you can with longer lengths.
The Contour Bob
Short hair puts angles and layers on full display. See: Ciara’s contour bob. This A-line style is slightly longer in the front and shorter in the back, helping it create its own structure. Thanks to the style of the cut, you can sometimes get away without styling it, since it should naturally fall back into place. It does, however, look extra sophisticated if you take the time to sleek it out with a hot tool.
The French Bob
French bobs give instant It girl vibes. The extra-short style reaches longer toward your chin and stays shorter in the back so that it effortlessly plays up your jawline. There may be a few layers added in, especially if you want to play up your hair’s natural texture. Since this look is very Amélie-inspired, it allows you to lean into that chic Parisian energy, especially if you add baby bangs à la Halsey.
The Lob
Since you don’t have to worry about scheduling constant trims, the longer lob is the ideal low-maintenance haircut for anyone who wants to go shorter, but not too short. The look also happens all on its own as you grow out a shorter bob, and it looks so chic. Selena Gomez was the latest to debut the medium-length style when she walked the red carpet in October. The singer paired her shoulder-grazing ends with a sleek middle part.
The ’90s Bob
The ’90s bob was another big hit in 2023. This mid-length cut can be worn relaxed, like Laura Harrier’s with a few layers and a cool-girl curtain bang, or blown out to add volume for a bouncier, supermodel vibe. For a more nostalgic take, you can even wear it with the ends flipped out (which will bring you right back to middle school).
