There’s something so freeing about letting go of your long locks and starting the year with a bold new look. Whether it’s Italian, French, preppy or a 00s romcom style, 2024 is already very much the year of the bob, and we’re big fans.
But sometimes with hair trends, there can be a lot of rules to abide by if you want to get the style just right. Of course, that can be part of the fun for some, but if you’re laid-back, lazy (no judgment!) or just plain too busy, it can be important to find a haircut that suits your lifestyle.
That’s where the boy bob – ‘the boyb’ – comes in. Perfect for those looking to get in on the chop trend, the only other key part of getting it right is letting your newly short hair just… do its thing.
What exactly is the boyb?
Put simply, the boyb is like a traditional bob, but on the shorter end of the style spectrum.
“It feels slightly edgier,” Younes Khassal, director at Taylor Taylor London, says: “It’s an androgynous cut that still allows your features to be framed for a flattering look. Usually it ends around lip length so it makes a statement but is still easy to wear for every day.”
Khassal tells Stylist that more people are embracing shorter hair in 2024, so it’s no wonder these “boyish bobs” are so hot right now.
He adds: “2023 saw lots of people going for the big chop, with various versions of the bob trending on TikTok, runways and red carpets, as worn by the likes of Naomi Watts and America Ferrera at the Golden Globes. The boy bob is a way to switch up your bob for 2024, and it takes different aspects of the trending cuts for 2023, like the shortness of the French bob with the movement of the Italian bob, to create a short, chic, 90s-inspired style.”
How to style a boyb
Great news for the lazy girls out there – this cut is made for laidback styling.
Khassal advises: “You can spritz some sea salt spray for added texture and let it air dry or you can add volumising mousse and blow dry it for shape. It can work with waves, curls and kinks, you can also wear it with a fringe for added French-girl chicness. Keep it blunt for a sleek look or make it more textured, but what’s important is that it needs to feel a bit undone and not too rigid. This style is really about the beauty of the undone, a slightly messy look that embraces the natural characteristics of your own hair – less maintenance is always a good thing.”
What to ask your stylist for
If you decide you want to go for the chop, Khassal says you should bring at least three reference photos to show your stylist.
“And have a consultation beforehand so that your stylist knows exactly what length, cut and look you’re going for,” he adds. “A word of warning though: stick with the hair length that will suit your face shape. If you have an oval-shaped face you can wear most lengths, but for a more square-shaped face, this cut is generally more flattering when the hair sits either just above or just below the jawline. Just make sure you talk it through with your hairdresser beforehand so that they can make sure the cut is bespoke and flattering to your unique features.”
Looking for some boy bob hair inspo?
Images: Getty, Instagram