How They Wear: Big Bangs
One of our favorite looks—blunt bangs a la Birkin—is no longer on the fringe and suddenly has blown up in a big way. Certainly, this isn’t the look’s first time at the rodeo. Throughout history, brow-grazing bangs have enjoyed bouts of popularity via such style icons as Louise Brooks, Marianne Faithful, and Elvira Hancock (Michelle Pfeiffer’s character in Scarface)—even Cleopatra was a part of this fringe element! Today, we salute the recent revival of bold bangs and present a few excellent examples of how to wear this look.
Before we delve too deeply into our big bang theories, we’d like to point out that the recent crop is much more wearable than the extreme, hipster, bowl-cut bangs that Rihanna, Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado all sported in late 2006/early 2007. Kate Moss, Jessica Alba, and Nicole Richie cut fringe that’s a little long (just skims the eye) and a little wispy, so they can easily go from straight-down to sideswept for a quick change. We also adore a heavier hairstyle. Keira Knightley, Katie Holmes, and Liv Tyler all recently committed to thick, slightly shorter, statement bangs that are a bit more sophisticated.
A couple of tips before we sign off: If you’re on the verge of snipping, do consider your face-shape and hair texture. Generally, blunt bangs are best on oval and round faces, and are most easily accomplished on straight hair. Unless you’re dedicated to drying your bangs (cough: masochist), we do not suggest that readers with curly locks try this style. Sorry Carrie Bradshaw, this look is not for you!
Photo of Nicole, X17. Photo of Jessica and Keira, Splashnews. Photo of Liv, Wireimage.
Before we delve too deeply into our big bang theories, we’d like to point out that the recent crop is much more wearable than the extreme, hipster, bowl-cut bangs that Rihanna, Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado all sported in late 2006/early 2007. Kate Moss, Jessica Alba, and Nicole Richie cut fringe that’s a little long (just skims the eye) and a little wispy, so they can easily go from straight-down to sideswept for a quick change. We also adore a heavier hairstyle. Keira Knightley, Katie Holmes, and Liv Tyler all recently committed to thick, slightly shorter, statement bangs that are a bit more sophisticated.
A couple of tips before we sign off: If you’re on the verge of snipping, do consider your face-shape and hair texture. Generally, blunt bangs are best on oval and round faces, and are most easily accomplished on straight hair. Unless you’re dedicated to drying your bangs (cough: masochist), we do not suggest that readers with curly locks try this style. Sorry Carrie Bradshaw, this look is not for you!
Photo of Nicole, X17. Photo of Jessica and Keira, Splashnews. Photo of Liv, Wireimage.
Liv- no Keira- hmmm Kate- YES Jessica- YES Nicole- yesh? Katie- yes
Posted by: Sophia | 2008-03-28 02:42:53
Yay i love all these bangs. Kate Moss the best <3 I wish i cud have bangs. But they'd look a mess with my curly frizzmop.
Posted by: Chrissi | 2008-01-21 11:14:56
the best bangs i have seen so far are kirsten prouts from kyle xy. she got a haircut and her bangsjust look amazing when she wears them straight down and curved in toward her face slightly.
Posted by: kayla | 2008-01-04 16:16:45
A few months ago (late summer) I was feeling very daring, and I told my stylist he could do whatever he wanted to my hair. He started cutting bangs and I had a mild internal freakout. But when he was done, they looked so fab. And now, bangs are totally in. But I totally agree with y'all that Katie Homes should drop this look. Katie Homes is such a tool. Keira looks amazing, and Kate Moss well, simply put can do no wrong.
Posted by: Elizabeth | 2007-12-20 13:46:49
and katie holmes has been wearing way to much makeup. she looks like a drag queen, or like shes wearing a mask or something. shes still young, its really not necessary.
Posted by: Maggie | 2007-12-19 01:14:17
bangs are cool. jessica alba is lame lame lame.
Posted by: Maggie | 2007-12-19 01:12:53
Really? I thought Keira looked really stupid and weird here, and I don’t really like Liv’s hair here either. I would have cried if a hairdresser cut my hair like that…
Posted by: guccilily | 2007-12-15 21:19:50
katie definitely looks like kelly obsbourne here (not the best thing!). her hair just looks too perfectly placed, it HAS to be a wig, no? i don't like that kiera's bangs practically go half around her head and that they're like straight across. i like miss moss's the best! i have bangs very very similar to hers. i got them cut a few months ago and they're already starting to grow out! :(
Posted by: cici | 2007-12-12 11:23:25
I cut my bangs this summer and have gone through hell with them. And they take forever to grow back. Mine are finally past my eyes now, but I wish I had never cut them to begin with. My advice: Don't get bangs, unless you have had them before and liked them!
Posted by: kate | 2007-12-11 23:58:49
eww katie holmes=severe. she looks super old. kate moss doesnt look horrible but she looks much better without the fringe..& i normally love how nicole richie looks but i hate it when there are big spaces between bang pieces, looks bad. keira looks so pretty. bangs can be neat looking but i cant wait til mine grow out...argh bored with them now
Posted by: thea | 2007-12-11 21:20:16
i love bangs but i really don't like nicole's hair in that picture. so 90's mom! if i had long straight hair i'd style it like françoise hardy. lovely!
Posted by: marina | 2007-12-11 20:42:56
kierra knightley is my favorite EVER!!!!!!!
Posted by: angelle | 2007-12-11 20:25:12
I had bangs for years and I finally decided to grow them out! I got sick of my bangs--it was too much work to style them. But everyone featured looks great with bangs!
Posted by: Lauren | 2007-12-11 19:53:49
Keira's bangs look fabulous! I'm so glad I listened to my hairstylist when she cut mine like hers!
Posted by: Desiree | 2007-12-11 18:43:02
I love bangs, however I don't think they look great on Kate Moss... they make her look old. Liv Tyler looks like an angel no matter what... I've been wanting to try "big" bangs lately.
Posted by: Rachel | 2007-12-11 17:30:46
I'm seriously not a catty person, but I swear to god the first I thought when I saw this picture of Katie Holmes is that she looks way too much like Anna Wintour with her bangs like that. And I don't mean that as a compliment. She should really get rid of those bangs ASAP.
Posted by: KAC | 2007-12-11 16:04:40
well i have lant as bamgs does that mean im cool? lol. Thats Katie Holmes @ the Bambi Awards in Germany and its not a wig (jessie!) and i think she looks really gorgeos like that!! visit my blog myohmygirl.blogspot.com
Posted by: myohmygirl | 2007-12-11 15:38:32
Bangs are awesome!
Posted by: EP | 2007-12-11 15:29:01
Bangs are awesome!
Posted by: EP | 2007-12-11 15:28:52
ditto Marn's comment.
Posted by: kellywinona | 2007-12-11 15:20:09
bangs are hot news ladies im a model n their all over the fashion scene!!!
Posted by: karly | 2007-12-11 14:36:52
Marion, I think these kinds of bangs soften up a strong jawline and give a heart shape to the face. Just be careful not to go like Rosario Dawson, I thought her bangs like this gave her a lantern jaw.
Posted by: MEP | 2007-12-11 14:18:00
Bangs are great except they are a major pain to grow out! If you are going to go for it, get ready to deal with them for a year...and Katie's hair is obviously a wig. ew.
Posted by: jessie | 2007-12-11 13:31:13
I love bangs!!! Have had them for ages and are absolutely wonderful...however mine are much shortier and kookier than those featured in this post, and I have to say I prefer them to this heavier longer look worn by Mrs Cruise et al.
Posted by: Dulcie | 2007-12-11 13:11:01
I've got some!!!!
Posted by: Monica | 2007-12-11 12:42:51
Marion go for the bangs itd suit u jus keep ur layers long n dont ge much taken off the length..jus medium!
Posted by: chloe | 2007-12-11 12:07:56
Liv Tyler looks like a dog! Yikes.... a few less bangs maybe?
Posted by: Sara | 2007-12-11 11:46:24
miss moss looks stunning, as always. uber chic. kiera looks like a totally different person, im not sure im liking it yet. perhaps it will take time. katie holmes looks 50! ugh. she looks awful.
Posted by: abby! | 2007-12-11 11:27:10
i really want to change my hair...and i'm pretty inspired by bangs. I would never get blunt ones, they just wouldn't work on me. But i LOVEEE nicole's bangs here.
Posted by: rr | 2007-12-11 11:26:20
kate always looks amazing. i'm sorry but i think katie holmes looks like kelly osbourne. btw, i'm a dedicated bangs til death girl myself.
Posted by: lauren | 2007-12-11 10:54:12
Hi LOVELY LADIES OF WWWD!! ADVICE PLEASE: I want bangs SO BADLY! Now that my long, thick hair is totally manageable (it used to be really out of control and wavy/curly) I'm DYING to get bangs. The thing is, I have a strong jawline like Keira (although a small nose) and I'm concerned it will look badly. But I have thick very nice hair and I am SO sick of just having long hair w/ no real style. Should I do it????
Posted by: Marion | 2007-12-11 10:10:10
I have bangs like Liv. I hate when I wear it curly because I have nothing to do with them! mrswindycity.blogspot.com
Posted by: Lexyb | 2007-12-11 09:58:25
I have Livs exact haircut. I'm told i look like her. Hey, i'll take that compliment. I love the bangs on everyone but Katie, she looks like a bobble-head doll!
Posted by: LuvsChanel | 2007-12-11 09:42:22
I got bangs right above my eyes for my birthday and I love them! I seriously never have a bad hair day because my bangs look so trendy.
Posted by: Ave | 2007-12-11 09:30:20
Agreed, it's not a great look on Ritchie but look how well the thick, blunt bangs compliment Keira's strong jawline. Katie's hair looks like a wig she is wearing to hide her facelift scars.
Posted by: MEP | 2007-12-11 08:38:03
I've had bangs for four years, all different lengths. I think I feel as though i need to declare it. To me this is not a trend. Kate Moss got a haircut and now my bangs feel boring. Especially now that i see all these tabloid-reading-h&m-ubsessed-ugg-wearing girls chopping their hair. On a side note, Liv Tyler has been sporting this look for a while (pretty), Jessica Alba is a great example of side swept, and I'm indifferent about Keira Knightlys new cut on her face..
Posted by: marn | 2007-12-11 08:36:41
I'm printing this page out and going to the salon! Have had a fringe for years and years but thanks to many attempts to cut it myself, have never managed to make it look anywhere near as sophisticated as those pictures above.
Posted by: lel | 2007-12-11 08:32:11
Yay bangs! I gots 'em, they're awesome. You should've put a picture of Tennessee Thomas from the Like in here, and Alexa Chung has awesome bangs as well.
Posted by: Sydney | 2007-12-11 08:20:54
This is the best Katie Holmes has ever looked, in my opinion. This look is awful for Nicole, so stringy looking!!
Posted by: Erock | 2007-12-11 05:38:17
bangs are timeless in my opinion. i really do NOT like nicole richies hairstyle... yuck.
Posted by: valerie | 2007-12-11 04:47:05
dude apart from jessica alba all of them look gross.whats with liz??and kate moss looks disgusting.but i hate her,so maybe thats just me.i mean ewww,tom cruise's wife whos name i cant remember,maybe because shes just a doll he carries around look five years old and extremely retarded and nicole richie:EW. thats all.
Posted by: kel | 2007-12-11 03:36:50
Patty: It def. could be your stylist. Blunt bangs have always been a favorite of mine, and I seem to have them done every other year (I don't really keep track -- I just think hey, let's get bangs!) Let me tell you, of all the times I've cut my bangs, I have seen my fair share of horrible cuts from horrible stylists! Sometimes they get it right, and sometimes they get it all wrong! I think you should give it another try -- you might like it (if your stylist knows what they are doing).
Posted by: eye | 2007-12-11 02:55:45
Keira looks so beautiful.
Posted by: Sherry | 2007-12-11 01:52:00
Sorry to say this but Irina started this trend before Kate did. I love Kate Mosss for her style but feel that ever since she got bangs people make it seem as if she started the trend. Bangs have been popular since the youthful years of Marianne Faithful and will never go out of style.
Posted by: Michelle Belle | 2007-12-11 00:59:54
I tried this out for myself last summer, and I wasn't too pleased with how I looked. Maybe I should've gone to a better stylist.. Or maybe this style just doesn't suit my face shape. Keira looks fabulous, Liv's bangs were better when they were longer, and as always, Miss Moss can't go wrong.
Posted by: patty | 2007-12-11 00:40:27
Ugh.....and as soon as I decide to grow mine out. Digressing, Katie looks gorgeous.
Posted by: emi | 2007-12-11 00:30:41