The Micro Bob Is Summer’s Coolest Cut: 15 Ways to Wear the CLB

While microtrends come and go (faster than we ever thought possible, really), the micro bob is forever. Marked by its length, the cut stops right at the nape of the neck, pausing just before making its way into pixie or bixie territory. Celebrity hairstylist Jessica Gillin defines it as “any haircut that sits at your hairline and is chin length.”

“I think the micro bob is always trending,” Gillin continues. “It originated in the early 20th century and opposed traditional long hair norms. It has been seen on a multitude of cool girls recently like Carey Mulligan, Ayo Edebiri, Greta Lee, America Ferrera, Michelle Williams, and Julianne Hough.”

Plus, who could forget Leslie Bibb’s now iconic “c*nty little bob” in this season of The White Lotus? If you’re ready to try the trend yourself, read on for everything you need to know and 15 mico bob ideas worth saving.

The Trend

A cousin of the chic French bob and elegante Italian bob, the micro bob is most closely related to “Le Petit Bob.” And yet! It’s a look all its own—a classic haircut we’ve seen for generations (google “20s bob” for proof) that’s flattering on just about anybody. If you need more celebrity examples, look to short-haired Zendaya, Cailee Spaeny, Chloë Sevigny, Ciara, and Naomi Campbell.

But besides its simplicity, why has the micro bob stood the test of time? And why is it so big right now?

“I think there’s something effortlessly chic about a micro bob,” hairstylist Kylie Fitzgerald, the genius behind Spaeny’s cut, tells Byrdie. “It’s sexy and strong without trying too hard, and I love that.” Gillin also notes that the hairstyle’s popularity is still political—even 100 years after it made its initial feminist standpoint.

“It also feels fitting in a time where women are losing their reproductive rights that they are chopping their hair to bring themselves a small sense of control,” she adds. “The cut instantly makes you feel liberated and chic.”

How to Get the Look

One of the best parts about a micro bob is that it’s all about length, not specific styling. You can do anything with it (save for putting it in a ponytail, of course) and it’ll look great. Depending on your mood, you can try it straight or tousled, messy or slicked-back.

“I think every face shape can pull off the micro bob. However, the haircut needs to be customized for different textures,” adds Gillin, who says styling based on natural texture is her favorite way to play with the cut. “For super thick and coarse hair, your hair can’t be cut very blunt, or it will look triangular. Hair needs to be textured correctly or slightly layered at the ends to give it movement. I like to take out weight from the underneath sections, so the hair and point cut into the top sections, so hair appears one length but isn’t blocky.”

On the opposite end of the texture spectrum, Gillin notes that a sharper cut will make fine and thin hair look fuller. “Adding a bang will make it look more French while cutting a tiny face frame can give it more of a ’90s feel,” she adds.

“My personal favorite way to style micro bobs is by styling the hair in its natural texture. It looks more modern and cooler. Monday Haircare’s Curl Define Shampoo and Curl Define Conditioner are meant for every type of wave, so I will prep hair with the shampoo and conditioner,” the artist shares. For a polished finish, she’ll add a touch of the Monday Haircare Moisture Leave-In Conditioner on the ends of thick hair, blowout the hair with a ceramic round brush, and bevel the ends under.

The Best Micro Bob Inspiration