42 of the Best Bob Hairstyles to Inspire Your Next Haircut

My hair has recently reached that awkward in-between length: It's no longer the mid-length lob that I visited the hairdressers for last year, but it can't quite be considered a long hairstyle yet. Instead, it's sitting rather uninspiringly on my shoulders causing me to seriously consider going for the chop. I've experimented with shorter hairstyles over the years but have never taken the plunge into a full-on bob.

However, with my Instagram Saved folder full of some of this year's biggest hair trends, I have to admit that I'm seriously tempted to forgo my lengths in favour of something shorter, choppier and infinitely cooler. And a quick look online confirmed so many celebrities, from Kourtney Kardashian to Lily James, have undergone major short-hair transformations over the last couple of years, and their styles look seriously amazing.

So much so that the idea of going for a bob has never been more appealing. If you're unsure what style of bob might suit you best, Adam Reed, hairstylist and ambassador for L'Oréal Professionnel explains, "When styling for round face shapes, we will normally look to elongate the face by adding in side-swept bangs, volume at the crown or even changing the parting to ensure there are clear angles in the look. Square face shapes, on the other hand, should avoid a sharp or blunt bob and instead look to soft layers that will elongate the face shape." Whatever your face shape, there's a bob style out there for you.

To prove it, we've rounded up 42 celebrities and fashion people who are stepping out in the best bob hairstyles right now. Trust me—these are the looks to copy if you're considering going for the chop.

1. Italian Bob

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(Image credit: GETTY)

When Zendaya stepped out with this Italian Bob cut, we immediately took notice. The longer length is ideal if you want to keep some length and volume.

2. Short Bob

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

Grece Ghanem has opted for a jaw-skimming bob that perfectly complements her beautiful silver shade.

3. Choppy Bob

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(Image credit: @haileybieber)

Hailey Bieber's iconic bob has a choppy edge which adds a sense of movement and keeps it looking fresh.

4. Wavy Bob

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(Image credit: @basicstouch)

Aïda has got the cool-girl summer wave down to a T. Just add a white dress and straw hat.

5. Side-Part Bob

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(Image credit: @brosiaaa)

Ambrosia is giving us all the summer bob vibes with her stunning chop and dramatic side part. 

6. Blunt Bob

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(Image credit: @LILYJAMESOFFICIAL)

Lily James's blunt blonde bob is one of my favourite celebrity hair transformations of all time.

7. Sleek Bob

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(Image credit: @missenocha)

Miss Enocha makes a very good case for a '20s-style bob plus sleek styling.

8. Fringed Bob

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(Image credit: @JENNYCHOHAIR)

Carey is serving up a triple dose of hair inspiration here with her perfect-length bob, that choppy fringe and her beachy waves.

9. Retro Bob

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(Image credit: @chloehelenmiles)

For a retro finish, make like Chloe Miles and add a fringe to your bob hairstyle.

10. Beehive Bob

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(Image credit: @LAURAHARRIER)

It's not just the fashion that it's worth looking to the '60s for; it's the beauty, too. Laura Harrier's beehive-inspired bob is created by adding plenty of volume at the back of the style and keeping things sleek at the front.

11. Loose Wavy Bob

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(Image credit: @naaomiross)

A wavy bob in a vibrant shade of creamy blonde is never a bad idea.

12. French Bob

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(Image credit: @KAIAGERBER)

Kaia Gerber's side parting and tousled waves lend her bob hairstyle some serious French-girl vibes.

13. Textured Bob

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(Image credit: @FEARNECOTTON)

I think that Fearne's new short hair looks amazing. Use a texture spray through the ends to give your cut a similarly choppy feel.

14. Micro Bob

Lily Allen micro bob

(Image credit: @lilyallen)

Lily Allen's micro-bob makes every outfit look like that little bit cooler thanks to how chic it is.

15. Classic Bob

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(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES)

The queen of the bob, Anna Wintour has a classic chin-length hairstyle that is totally timeless. Pair it with a blunt, full fringe for extra power points.

16. Long Bob

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

It's not just Rachel Stevens's style that we've unexpectedly found ourselves wanting to copy; it's her hair, too. Stevens opts for tonged curls to style her long bob for a polished finish.

17. Curly Bob

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(Image credit: @INMYSUNDAYBEST)

Headband + natural curls = the cutest combination, as worn by Sade.

18. Chic Bob

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(Image credit: @BELLAHADID)

Supermodel Bella looks great with this chic retro-inspired bob as her hairstyle of choice.

19. Off-Duty Bob

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(Image credit: @DUALIPA)

If I could achieve even a fraction of the shine coming off Dua Lipa's off-duty bob, then I'd be one happy beauty editor.

20. Feathered Micro Bob

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(Image credit: @MARIA_BERNAD)

María's micro bob isn't for the fainthearted, but it looks so damn amazing with her feathered fringe

21. Low-Maintenance Bob

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(Image credit: @TANYABURR)

Take a low-maintenance approach to bobs by leaving yours to air-dry as Tanya Burr did with her blonde one.

22. Paprika Bob

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(Image credit: @FREDDIEHARREL)

Freddie's paprika-hued bob (it's going to be one of this season's hottest hair colours, FYI) is perfect for a hair refresh.

23. Elegant Bob

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(Image credit: @KERRYWASHINGTON)

Hair clips + side parting = the most elegant bob I ever did see. Thanks for the inspo, Kerry.

24. Angled Bob

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(Image credit: @JOURDANDUNN)

I'm totally obsessed with Jourdan's chin-length, angled 'do. She might have persuaded me to wave goodbye to my trademark bangs.

25. Shoulder-Length Bob

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(Image credit: @ASOS_LOTTE)

Think of ASOS Lotte's long bob as the perfect entry point to the hairstyle.

26. Sharp Bob

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(Image credit: @TESSAMETHOMPSON)

Tessa Thompson's razor-sharp ends are so cool.

27. Glossy Bob

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(Image credit: @CHARLIZEAFRICA)

Not only do I love the cut of Charlize's style here, but I'm head over heels for that glossy, chocolate-brown colour.

28. Grown-Out Bob

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(Image credit: @lizzyhadfield)

Lizzy Hadfield's bob is proof that even when you decide to grow out your short hair, it can still look chic.

29. Tucked-Back Bob

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(Image credit: @EMMAROBERTS)

Stylists advise using a hair straightener to re-create the cool, relaxed L.A. waves that Emma Roberts is modelling here with her tucked-back bob.

30. Wet-Look Bob

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(Image credit: @CIARA)

Ciara's wet-look, side-swept bob demonstrates the perfect way to give a standard blunt bob an edgier finish.

31. Glamorous Bob

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(Image credit: @JENNYCHOHAIR)

A dramatic side sweep and retro waves deliver red carpet glamour in abundance for Lucy Boynton.

32. Side-Swept Bob

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(Image credit: @PATIDUBROFF)

Let's be honest: Margot Robbie's hair always looks amazing, but I have a soft spot for this sharp, side-swept bob that she wore to the Oscars last year.

33. Braided Bob

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(Image credit: @THE_OLUWASEUN)

Long, waist-length braids might be totally dreamy, but this bobbed style is serving serious inspo, too.

34. A-Line Bob

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(Image credit: @ALYSSAINTHECITY)

If I were going to take the plunge for any bob, then it would most likely be a low-maintenance wavy style like Alyssa's A-line bob.

35. Voluminous Bob

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(Image credit: @CHRISAPPLETON1)

Kim's tucked-under, voluminous bob gives off some serious retro vibes, and we're kind of in love.

36. Crimped Bob

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(Image credit: @JODIESMITH)

Jodie Turner-Smith's hair game never fails to floor us, but this cropped bob styled into wavy crimps is one of our all-time favourites.

37. Shaggy Bob

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(Image credit: @LEFEVREDIARY)

If you ask us, Amy has one of the best bobs on Instagram. It's a cropped, French style with a shaggy fringe that oozes laid-back cool.

38. Cropped Bob

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(Image credit: @FRANNFYNE)

Franny's thick, cropped bob complete with a cropped fringe is the perfect formula for French-girl chic.

39. Noughties Bob

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(Image credit: @ALEXACHUNG)

You didn't think we'd have a bob roundup without this iconic style, did you? Alexa Chung's shoulder-length, tousled bob has become one of the most famous around (and for good reason).

40. Layered Bob

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(Image credit: @kourtneykardash)

The Kardashians are pretty synonymous with ultra-long hair, but I'm totally obsessed with Kourtney's choppier, layered bob.

41. Elegant Bob

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Kiera's heart-shaped face is an ideal match for this elegant bob style.

42. Relaxed Bob

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(Image credit: @ESTEELALONDE)

We just love Estée's shoulder-length bob and middle-parting. Relaxed, cool and effortlessly chic!

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This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated. 

Mica Ricketts