The ‘Ripped Bob’ Is Shaping Up to Be Fall’s Coolest Haircut

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

When it comes to seasonal hair trends, one haircut always seems to be in fashion: the bob. And for fall, we’re seriously crushing on the ripped bob—the cooler, choppy cousin of Sofia Richie’s classic French bob.

“Instead of sharp, blunt edges, the ripped bob embraces lived-in, effortless movement,” says Melissa Timperley, a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Melissa Salons. “It features a predominantly one-length cut but with softly frayed, piecey ends that bring out the texture of torn or ripped paper.” Think model-off-duty vibes, which is why Elsa Hosk, Gigi Hadid, Halle Berry, and Hailey Bieber are the ripped bob’s poster girls.

It’s precisely this effortless feel that makes the ripped bob perfect year-round, but especially for fall. “The ripped bob aligns beautifully with autumn’s more relaxed, layered style ethos,” Timperley says. “Its lived-in texture suits cooler weather, making it perfect for the transitional season. It also grows out gracefully, offering continued texture and movement even months post-cut.”

What should you ask your hairdresser for?It’s always worth remembering that not everyone may call this style of bob “ripped,” so it’s important to show your hairdresser examples (keep scrolling for our specially edited mood board).

“Ask for a bob with deconstructed, piecey layers that give a slightly irregular, undone finish rather than sharp, blunt lines,” Timperley says. “You might describe it as a bob with softly jagged ends or a ‘ripped’ texture. Stylists may refer to it as a textured or lived-in bob—just emphasize movement and soft edges.”

In terms of length, Mason Josh, head stylist at Josh Wood Atelier, recommends describing it as “a bob that is one to two inches longer than a classic one-length bob.”

Which hair types work best with a ripped bob?The beauty of the ripped bob is its surprising versatilility. “Fine hair benefits greatly from the added texture and apparent volume that the piecey ends create,” says Timperley.

If you have thick hair and want to lighten up, the ripped bob can help to reduce its bulk. “Introduce airy layers so the style doesn’t look too heavy,” she recommends. “Layering the underneath, rather than adding short layers through the top, can be a clever way to keep this look cool and not mumsy.”

The natural movement of wavy and curly hair can also play up the cut’s textured, undone vibe, Timperley notes. “However, the layers will jump up on curly hair and appear shorter,” she says”which is why Josh adds that “it’s best to work with your stylist on how you wear your curls first.”

The only other caveat? Remember to book in for regular trims every six weeks. “Despite its tousled look, maintaining the shape–especially the jagged ends–will still require maintenance,” Timperley says.

How should you style a ripped bob?“Embrace the undone aesthetic of the ripped bob,” says Timperley. “For effortless texture, go heat-free and mist a salt spray or work a texturizing cream through the hair and let it air-dry.” For curls, Timperley recommends using a diffuser and curl-defining creams “to create movement without any stiffness. The goal is relaxed, slightly messy—but intentionally so.”

For a sleeker style, “keep the movement and natural texture in the hair by creating an S bend with straighteners or using mermaid tongs,” Josh says.

What products will help create a ripped bob?Rahua Enchanted Island Salt Spray

Verb Volume Dry Texture Spray

T3 Curling Straightener

Rizos Curls Collapsible Hair Diffuser

Fenty Hair The Homecurl Curl-Defining Styling Cream

Aquage Finishing Spray

How to wear a ripped bob?Below we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to wear the ripped bob.

The ripped bob with subtle balayage

The wet-look ripped bob

The high-shine ripped bob

The straight ripped bob

The curled-under ripped bob

The softly kinked ripped bob

The ripped bob with bangs

The flicked ripped bob

This story originally appeared in Glamour UK.