You likely don't need us to tell you that the French bob has never been more popular. And although those who forever cling to long, Disney Princess-esque lengths may consider the idea of chopping said lengths off to the jaw an anarchistic concept, I’d argue that this classic short hairstyle (and its many iterations) is perhaps the most timeless haircut ever. And history has the receipts to prove it.
Though the first "official" bob was cut in 1909, the inspiration actually came from centuries prior. Antoine Cierplikowski (or "Antoine de Paris" as he was often called, after the name of his salon) was a Polish hairdresser based in Paris who supposedly designed the avant-garde cut in the early 20th century based on French heroine Joan of Arc. According to legend, the patron saint sheared off her long hair as part of her transformation from a lowly peasant to a military leader in the 1400s. Since the turn of the 20th Century, bob trends have thrived.
Cierplikowski’s interpretation of the hairstyle evolved to become the "shingle" cut: a short, sharp hairstyle finishing at the jaw or higher, often with a fringe to match. The style was popular with the fashionable and somewhat racy Bloomsbury set and the flappers of the roaring twenties. Then came the "garçonne bob" (a clear source of inspiration for this year's trending heartthrob bob), a slightly boyish, textured French bob variation made famous by Coco Chanel. Fun fact: Antoine de Paris also invented highlights, but that’s another story for another day…
These original iterations of the French bob were synonymous with rebellion and empowerment, so it’s no surprise that a resurgence of the look coincided with the swinging sixties. Style icons of the era like Brigitte Bardot and Diana Ross sported versions of the French bob (Bardot's was a short-lived flicked bob, whilst Ross did a softer, rounded bob), breaking free from the stereotype that women's hair had to be long and flowing to be "feminine".
The cut made a comeback again in the nineties, seen on supermodels like Christy Turlington, whose gorgeous cropped look in 1990 defied runway standards that implied only bum-skimming volume was beautiful or sexy. In fact, over time, the haircut has often been thought to signal a woman as powerful or strong—take Anna Wintour or Angela Merkel, for example.
Whilst for the majority of the 21st Century, the French bob was more or less defined by Audrey Tatou's character in the eponymous film, Amelie, most recently, the French bob has made headlines via its cameo in The White Lotus, cut on actress Leslie Bibb by celebrity hairstylist Chris McMillan. Labelling it "the c*nty little bob", McMillan designed the precise, blunt haircut to emulate Kate's (Bibb's character’s) strong and sassy personality.
So with all these differentiations in mind, what defines the French bob? Whether you’re going for cute, conservative or commanding, over 100 years since its official conception, the notion of the French bob remains the same: that the starting point—a short, blunt hairstyle cut around the jawline or higher—shouldn’t be strictly governed, but a base for creating your own style and even signalling your personality. Some might call it brave, but whatever your thoughts on the French bob, it’s been proven time and again throughout history that whether it’s edgy or effortless, it’s always timeless.
5 Ways to Wear a French Bob in 2025
1. Smooth and Sleek
Today’s version of the most tamed and glossy French bob is "polished, yes—but never uptight," says acclaimed hairstylist and CEO of Hershesons salons and products, Luke Hersheson. To style it this way, he always starts with damp hair and a small serving of the brand's Almost Everything Cream (£14). After working it through your mid-lengths to ends, use a flat brush and hair dryer to dry the hair smooth. Hersheson adds that this will help the finish be "sleek, but not flat."
Luke Roberts, senior stylist at Hadley Yates salon in London, adds that smoothing with straighteners will help achieve a polished result. "Finish with a spritz of Color Wow Extra Mistical Shine Spray (£28) for that ultra-polished look," he says.
2. Curly and Wavy
Bobby Collier, stylist at Larry King salons, says he’s seen a "noticeable rise in bob haircuts recently, with more people embracing the look." This includes those with curly or coily hair, who often opt to wear the style with their natural texture. In this case, Collier suggests, "Sometimes it helps to cut the hair dry, with its natural curl, to save any 'jumping up' when the hair dries [from wet]."
When styling at home, a diffuser attachment like the one that comes with the Dyson Supersonic R Hair Dryer – Curly+Coily (£450) will help to define coils, and a flexible cream like Larry King's A Social Life For Your Hair (£12) will help to hold and prevent frizz. To revive the bob day after day, look for a curl-refreshing mist that will bring back bounce without adding any stickiness.
3. Swept Away
If a hairstyle said, "Oh, this old thing?", it would be this: a blunt cut but highly textured and swept over in a deep side parting, with the finish purposefully messy. Wearing your bob like this is also a foolproof way of faking volume if you’ve not been blessed with bag loads of bounce.
"Start on damp hair and apply [a volumising hair product] at the roots," says Hersheson. "It gives you instant lift and a bit of grip for texture." He then advises to get working with the hair dryer, but—importantly—just with your fingers. "No brushes. You’re aiming for a rough, airy texture, not a perfect blowout," he advises.
You can also make this look a little more refined by smoothing things down, creating more of a polished finish with a generous application of a controlling yet nourishing pomade and a good spritz of shine-boosting hairspray to keep things in place.
4. Wispy Fringe
When opting for the French bob, bangs are "optional, but iconic," says Elliot Bute, stylist at Hershesons Belgravia. "An eyebrow-grazing fringe gives a more classic Parisian feel," he adds. "A little messiness is key, so ask your hairdresser for a soft, blunt bob with movement rather than anything too sharp or geometric." We're particularly loving the curtain bang bob for summer 2025.
If your hair falls naturally pin-straight, he suggests adding waves with a curling wand or simply braiding damp hair overnight for a softer finish. You could also use a texturising spray or dry shampoo, which is not only a saviour for dealing with a fringe (because it can easily get greasy), but "can add volume and a slightly undone feel," says Bute.
5. Purposefully Tousled
Perhaps the most current and popular way to style the bob is in tousled, undone waves. To achieve this, Hersheson recommends grabbing that curling wand. "Keep it inconsistent—some bits bent, some left straight. That’s what gives it that off-duty feel. [It's] not beachy, not curly, just cool," he says. After breaking it up with your fingers ("You want separation and movement—not structure"), he suggests using a styling cream. Then, if you want a piecey-wave look, add a mist of dry shampoo.
Roberts adds, "Texturising products can be key." Something like Oribe's Rough Luxury Soft Molding Paste (£39) will add some grit, or if you want to keep things super light and airy, Sisley's Hair Rituel Volumizing Spray (£83) works a treat.
