Hair
Apr 13, 2023

It's True—Everyone's Searching for This Y2K Bob for Hairstyle Inspiration

by Eleanor Vousden

It's true—the bob is the haircut trend of 2023. However, not all bobs are created equal. From the longer and voluminous Italian bob to the sleek box bob, there are so many types of bobs, and there is a shape and style to suit everyone. With just about every celebrity from Zendaya to Hailey Bieber jumping on the trend and every hairstylist I speak to confirming it's the most in-demand short hairstyle trend in the salon, it's safe to say this is a haircut trend that isn't going anywhere any time soon.

Just when we thought we couldn't spy any more bob trends, another one is just cropping up on the haircut horizon. But this time, it's with a Y2K twist. Enter the graduated bob. I won't lie. I didn't have this haircut on my 2023 hair-trends bingo card. The mention of a graduated bob might make you think of Victoria Beckham's 2000s-era angled bob or the haircut that screams "I'd like to speak to the manager," but 2023's graduated bobs are far chicer and have a modern update—I promise.

Photo:

@the_oluwaseun

While those Y2K graduated haircuts featured a dramatic angled bob with the hair much shorter at the back and growing increasingly longer towards the front of the head, the 2023 graduated bob is far more subtle. If the graduated bobs of yesteryear have a sharp 45-degree angle, this year's iterations are more like 20°—far softer with a gradual incline towards the back of the head. From straight hair to braids and curls, this is a bob trend that works across hair types and feels really fresh right now. The stats prove it, too, as the term "graduated bob" is up 200% in Google searches this week.

Ahead, you'll find more graduated-bob haircut ideas to save for your next salon appointment. Chop, chop!

Blonde graduated bob haircut on straight hair

Photo:

@lindatol_

The subtle graduated short-to-long layers really frame the face and complement the jawline.

Brunette middle-parted graduated bob haircut on straight hair

Photo:

@lifeofboheme

The razor-sharp ends make this graduated bob feel premium.

Photo:

@jourdandunn

Jourdan Dunn's long graduated-bob haircut is a permanent fixture in my IG Saved folder.

Photo:

@greceghanem

The graduated bob also works well in reverse, with shorter hair at the front and jawline-length hair towards the back.

Photo:

@halleberry

Halle Berry shows how the graduated bob can be elevated for the evening with her side-parted face-framing curls.

Photo:

@misstpw

This rounded graduated bob is sleek and chic.

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@emmarosestyle

A beachy wave and a graduated bob are a winning pairing.

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@maria_bernad

A cropped graduated bob is a whole vibe.

Photo:

@kaiagerber

I'm still thinking about Kaia Gerber's side-parted graduated bob that she had in lockdown.

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A classic pair of GHD irons are great for any hairstyle, but if you want a sleek graduated bob or want to add beachy waves to your lengths, this tool has you covered.