The prerequisite haircut for summer has always been the bob. But this year, we're going shorter and more playful with the pageboy bob.
A ‘60s hairstyle made famous by the likes of Princess Diana and The Beatles, “the traditional pageboy bob featured a rounded, ear-to-shoulder length with inward-curled blunt ends and a heavy fringe,” says Elliot Bute, a stylist at London-based salon Hershesons.
Fun fact: It got its name from a hairstyle worn by English pageboys in the medieval era. But don't worry things have changed a lot since then and today’s pageboy bob centres on soft layers and a modern, low-maintenance style that's a whole lot more wearable.
All importantly, it also allows you to feel a cool breeze on the nape of your neck, whether you're commuting to work or picnicking in the park.
With so much going for the pageboy bob, it's no wonder that a host of celebrities – from Taylor Hill and Zoey Deutch to Sabrina Elba and Nicole Kidman – are co-signing the cut for summer 2025.
What is the modern pageboy bob?
You can lean into different iterations of the pageboy bob depending on just how short you want to go and whether you want a fringe or not. The modern version still takes elements from the traditional pageboy bob, including its distinctly rounded shape, but, notes Elliot, "it adds varied lengths, and textured finishes, transforming the once rigid style into something more versatile.”
To put a contemporary twist on the pageboy bob, Elliot recommends adding subtle layers to introduce movement and texture. “Play with different lengths – from chin-length to shoulder-length – and experiment with bangs, choosing a wavy or side-swept version instead of a traditional blunt fringe,” he says.
Elliot adds that you can also introduce texturising products such as mousse or texturising sprays "to achieve a tousled or sleek finish, depending on your preference.”
How to recreate 3 celeb-inspired pageboy bobs
As seen on: Ariana Greenblatt
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“Ariana Greenblatt's French girl-inspired pageboy bob is characterised by its mid-length cut, face-framing layers, and soft fringe," says Elliot. To replicate the look, he recommends asking your hairdresser to "aim for a length that sits around the shoulders and layers that highlight facial features and add movement. Add a soft or wispy fringe to complete the French girl aesthetic.”
Celebs are obsessed.
As seen on: Taylor Hill
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“Taylor Hill’s version of the pageboy bob is relaxed, textured, and cool," Elliot notes. “To recreate this look, ask for a short, lightly layered bob that flatters your face shape without looking too structured. And add soft layers to encourage movement and wave."
When styling the hair, he recommends working a mousse or salt spray through damp hair before drying with a diffuser on minimal heat and using your hands to scrunch the hair “for that undone, beachy finish.”
As seen on: Nicole Kidman
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The pageboy bob can also look graphic as Nicole Kidman proves on the latest cover of Allure. “A precision cut, with a strong sculptural outline and clean lines are key for this cut," Elliot says. “Ask your stylist for an ultra short bob that hits right at – or just above – the ears for a sharp, modern silhouette. A bold, jagged micro fringe keeps it edgy.”
Keep scrolling for more pageboy bob inspiration…
The tousled pageboy bob
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The long pageboy bob
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The fringeless pageboy bob
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The curly pageboy bob
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The volumising pageboy bob
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The sleek pageboy bob
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The bedhead pageboy bob
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For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
