The bob hairstyle has been a personal favorite of mine for as long as I can remember. Two years ago, after an experimental bleach-blonde mullet turned orange disaster, I returned to my signature style: a blunt, natural dark brown bob with a sharp fringe. Since then, I’ve stuck with it, and I’m not looking back.
Right now, the bob is having a major resurgence, and for those of us who have long championed the cut, it’s no surprise. It’s a timeless style that manages to be both low-maintenance and effortlessly chic. Tom Gear, a senior stylist at Bebop salon, explains the trend: “The bob blends a classic look with modern flair, especially with the ’90s and Y2K revival we’re seeing. Celebrities like Zendaya, Hailey Bieber, and Gigi Hadid are all embracing their own versions of the bob, and people are following suit.”
But despite its popularity, a simple Google search for “bob haircut” reveals a concerning trend in suggested questions, such as “Will a bob suit me?” or “Does short hair make you look fat?” It’s 2024, yet many of us are still burdened by outdated beauty standards when it comes to our hair.
The Weight of Hair Myths
Growing up in the ’90s, I was conditioned to believe that thinness was the ultimate goal in life, and that everything, from what you ate to how you styled your hair, should reflect that. Haircuts, like clothing, were seen as tools to manipulate body perception. This idea has even been institutionalized in hairdressing schools, as stylist Ash Hill explains: “The first thing you learn is to create an oval shape with the head, because that’s considered the most flattering face shape.”
For years, I wore hair extensions, feeling that my natural hair wasn’t long or thick enough to compensate for my 5’2″ frame and UK size 12 body. In the fashion magazines I devoured, I rarely saw bodies like mine, but changing my hair felt like an achievable way to meet the beauty ideals I thought I had to live up to.
Unlearning Beauty Ideals
It wasn’t until I left secondary school and discovered feminism that I began to challenge the beauty standards I had grown up with. I realized I could dress and style myself for my own satisfaction, not for the approval of others. I embraced tattoos, piercings, and bold makeup choices that were far from the ‘feminine’ and ‘thin’ aesthetic I once sought.
In university, I even became a hair model for Vidal Sassoon, experimenting with everything from brightly colored crops to undercuts. One disastrous appointment left me with a burned scalp when a trainee left bleach on my fringe too long, but this experience taught me a valuable lesson: short hair doesn’t change your body shape. Despite what beauty myths would have us believe, cutting your hair won’t magically make you look larger or smaller.
Embracing the Bob
Realizing that hair has no real bearing on body weight was both frustrating and liberating. Over the years, I’ve even shaved my head entirely — an empowering experience I recommend to everyone at least once. While I loved the simplicity and boldness of a shaved head, it didn’t feel like “me” in the long run.
I’ve always been a style chameleon, switching between hyper-feminine dresses and androgynous streetwear. A well-cut, chin-length bob serves as the perfect versatile anchor for my ever-changing wardrobe. As celebrity stylist Beth Kucic says, “Bobs automatically give you style. They’re chic and put together, even when you’re not feeling it yourself.”
Owning Your Style
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that you should wear your hair in a way that brings you joy, not based on what you think might ‘suit’ you. As Kucic puts it, “We should have more of a ‘screw it’ attitude when it comes to our hair.” She believes that anyone can pull off any hairstyle, as long as the cut is tailored to their face shape and personal style.
That said, finding the right hairdresser is crucial. Kucic emphasizes that consultation is key to getting a cut you’ll love. Gear at Bebop echoes this sentiment, saying that while concerns about a drastic change are natural, a well-considered cut can flatter any face. “The key is in customizing it to the individual and playing up their best features,” he explains.
Navigating Modern Beauty Pressures
While we’ve moved away from many of the harmful beauty ideals of the 1990s, today’s social media-driven world presents new challenges. We’re bombarded daily with images of unattainable perfection and ever-evolving trends. Hill’s advice? Take your time with hair decisions and avoid chasing the latest fad.
There are still moments when I long for a tall, willowy figure topped with thick, tousled hair, but I’ve learned to appreciate what I have. In a world obsessed with comparison, staying true to yourself is more important than ever — and for me, that means rocking a razor-sharp bob. It’s a style that not only reflects who I am but also frees me from the pressures of conforming to outdated beauty standards.
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