Experts Have Called It—The Cultivated Bob Is the Short Hairstyle of the Season

While this summer has been all about low-maintenance, relaxed, "undone" hair trends, it seems that the styles are shifting for autumn. My Instagram feed is suddenly filled with ultra-chic, elegant and polished hair looks, especially when it comes to bobs. We all know that this short hair trend isn't going anywhere come September, but there's one particular bob I've spotted that I think will be everywhere in the upcoming months. Coined by leading colour-specialist and style innovation salon, STIL, say hello to the "cultivated bob".

What Is the Cultivated Bob?

So, what is this new bob hair trend? "The cultivated bob is a refined, polished take on the classic bob haircut," says Neale Rodger, style director at STIL Salon. "It’s tailored, sleek, and structured—think sharp lines, a smooth, polished finish and a sense of ‘quiet luxury’ that's trending on social media right now." As explained by Rodgers, "This trend moves away from the theatrics of the deliberately undone, shaggy bobs, and instead embraces a more considered, elegant silhouette."

The great news is that this trend can work for all hair types. While a cultivated bob will help to add weight and volume to fine hair, cutting in precise layers can also help to remove any bulkiness and create a clean silhouette on thicker hair types. For curly hair, Rodgers advises cutting your bob with your curl pattern in mind. He also recommends leaving the bob slightly longer than you think, to allow the hair to spring up when dry. "The key is customisation, and your stylist should adapt the bob’s length, angle and finish to your hair type and face shape," he tells me.

Cultivated Bob Inspiration