The Best Bob Hairstyles Of 2024

There's no more iconic hairstyle than the bob. In all its incarnations, from the French bob to the power bob to the lob to the fob, aka fringe bob, there's a bob for every person, face shape, and hair texture. "It's the only haircut that can work on a four-year-old and a 94-year-old, and look incredible on all in between," hairdresser Larry King told Harper's Bazaar. Frankly, no truer statement has ever been made about the bob.

We may only be halfway into 2024, but we've already seen some of the best bob hairstyles so far. While celebrities like Carey Mulligan and Zendaya have certainly shown us some amazing bobs, so have non-celebrities, too. If you want to change up your look or give short hair a try, bobs are the best way to do that. All you need are some bobs to inspire you and you'll be well on your way to joining the coolest club in town: Club Bob.

Those of us with curly hair know that when it comes to cuts, we need to be careful. Unlike our friends with straight hair, we need to take into consideration not just the type of curls we have, but how they're going to fall based on the texture of our hair. However, bobs and curly hair go together like peanut butter and jelly.

"I always think of curly hair as being 3D," cutting specialist and hairstylist Melissa Holinsworth told Byrdie. "Whatever shape you cut into curly hair, it shows more so than straight hair ... If you add round layers, the bob will look more rounded. If you cut curly hair one length, it will sit like a triangle. So, for curly hair, it really depends on how big you want your hair to be. The more layering, the bigger and rounder your hair will become." Looks like the only curly hair conundrum that comes with a bob is if you want to go big or go home.

If you're someone who has a forever-bob à la Anna Wintour — the editor-in-chief of Vogue has been rocking her bob since she was 14 — but you want to spice things up, changing the color is the easiest way to do that. While natural shades might be your first thought, take a step back and ask yourself: In a world with so much color, why don't I get a little crazy? Naturally, the second thought is likely to be, "I'll do pink hair." Pink hair is super empowering, after all, and apparently it's good for your mental health, too.

According to YouTuber PaintedLoveJade who posted a video about what it's like to have pink hair, "You just can't be sad when you've got pink hair. If you're feeling a bit down about yourself, go dye your hair a fun color. 100 percent recommend." Granted, no science was offered to back that up, but it sounds about right.

The blunt bob is a total power move. It's a cut that demands to be taken seriously and not to mess with the person rocking it. A perfect example of that energy can be found in the aforementioned Ms. Wintour and, of course, everyone's favorite out-for-revenge character, Amy Dunne in the film "Gone Girl."

"Blunt bobs are universal and can work on all hair types. It's a timeless haircut that never goes out of style," international artistic director Ryan Forsythe told Who What Wear. "For a more polished bob, I would avoid too much volume and go for a vertical wave with a mid to large curling iron for an undone finish. Use a paddle brush to smooth down ... for added shine." Whether you choose to part your blunt bob on the side or down the middle is your call, as long as you remember that center parts will be drawing attention to your facial features which, if you don't want to not be forgotten, is the way to go.

Of all the bobs, the French bob has to be the most adorable. Even just saying the words, "French bob" conjures up thoughts of warm baguettes, navy blue and white striped shirts, and, of course, a beret. A red one, so as to really play on that "Amélie" vibe.

"The French bob is a timeless classic that has come back around once again," hair stylist Daina Maciulaite tells Country & Townhouse, adding that it's lasting appeal is due to how fantastique and eternally cool it is. "People want something to stand out from the crowd, something that makes them a little different." Add a red lip and the perfect je ne sais quoi attitude, and you're suddenly a different person than you were before the cut. You're cultured now, and will accurately pronounce "croissant" no matter how pretentious it might make you sound. 

When it comes to bobs, sometimes the best move is to just go with the classic: natural colors and an iconic bob cut that's flattering, relaxed, and features no frills. While it may not be as lazy and effortless as the "dad bob," it's still a low-maintenance cut that looks incredibly chic and doesn't involve too much upkeep. No matter where an invitation may take you, you'll always be ready with this cut. A dive bar in the Lower East Side? You're ready. Afternoon tea at The Plaza with grandma? Bring it on. An important meeting with the C-suite at work? Not a problem. This is a cut and color that has and will forever stand the test of time, and one that really allows the wearer to rock their natural color and texture. To make sure you're staying en vogue, give a simple, natural, classic bob a try.