19 ways to wear a shag haircut (the coolest style right now)

Haircut trends come and go, but one style has remained a constant favourite through the years: the shag.

It’s as sexy as it sounds, featuring choppy layers through the mid-lengths and ends, mussed-up texture at the crown and heaps of volume as its defining traits. It’s relaxed, it’s casual — and some might say it’s styled to look like you’ve just rolled out of bed after an exceptional shag (which might explain the name, of course).

Without giving you a full history lesson, the shag haircut trend is clearly inspired by the choppy cuts of the ’70s, with a touch of ’90s grunge. The modern shag, though, is messier, more beachy and far lower-maintenance — designed to embrace natural texture, from waves to curls and everything in between.

“One-length hair weighs down waves,” explains professional hairstylist Ricky Walters, director of SALON64 in London. That’s why a few subtle layers can help break up heavy hair — and the choppy shag is a perfect example. “Cutting the length to the collarbone and slicing shorter layers throughout the hair creates the shag,” he says, emphasising that it’s all about showcasing texture.

Want to keep it longer? Opt for the looser shag style that’s proving popular among celebrities like Daisy Edgar-Jones, Silvia Dionicio and Natasha Lyonne.

East London based hair stylist Adam Reed told GLAMOUR that the shag is easy to style with maximum effect. “It can be worn natural, soft and fresh (you can leave it to dry naturally, it doesn’t need a lot of time spent on it) or, if you want, it can be styled [with heat],” he explains.

Luke Hersheson, hair stylist and CEO of Hershesons, agrees: “If the layering is done well it shouldn’t take too much styling. You should be able to wash it, leave it to dry and it will fall into place.”

Some might say the shag haircut is liberating, since it requires almost no styling to look its best. In fact, if you really did just roll out of bed or left it to kink and curl naturally as it dries, you’re only adding to the vibe.

And it looks like the shag haircut is here to stay: “It will definitely further push the era of grunge,” says Bradley Deeming, senior stylist at Buller And Rice. “Think undone and tastefully messy 'dos with a strong shape, evolving current beachy looks.”

But there are a few rules when it comes to nailing the shag haircut.

Opt for layers

Bradley suggests choosing a style with plenty of layers and choppy, sliced ends — and even a curly fringe à la Selena if you’re feeling bold.

Keep hair healthy

While the shag is typically a messy style, Bradley says there are plenty of ways to keep your hair looking super healthy and shiny in the process: “I’ve found it beneficial to offer my clients an Olaplex treatment every six weeks, regardless of if they’re having colour appointments,” says Bradley. “This is a great little trick for anyone looking to grow their hair longer as it gives a shiny salon-fresh feel.”

Change your hair habits

If you’re thinking of transitioning from this year’s bob to something a little more messy, Bradley says the best way to do this is simply by tweaking your styling habits.

“It’s an easy transition from blunt to boho,” he says. “Changing your habits to learn to style your new haircut is key. Gone are the round brush blowdries, as the shag requires a looser, undone finish. Flipping your head upside down and using a large quantity of R+Co SPIRITUALIZED Dry Shampoo Mist is one of my top tips.” Curly or wavy hair? Invest in a lightweight hairdryer with a diffuser attachment, like BLOW Hair Dryer with Diffuser + Nozzle.

Not convinced you can nail the trend? Happily, the shag has been deemed one of the only haircuts that suits pretty much everyone, mostly thanks to the various way you can rock it — with no colour or length limitations.

Check out more shag haircut inspiration below…

Curls and shag haircuts are a match made in heaven, and this chop on Linasha — crafted at Shag! London — is all the proof you need.

Good news — even if your hair is on the straighter side, a shag haircut can work for you. Ask your hair stylist for layers through the mid-lengths and ends, plus a choppy, shaggy fringe with face-framing pieces.

We love the curly micro fringe framing this longer curly shag on Cecilia Gorgon — it’s effortlessly cool.

The rock band shag is defined by shorter layers at the crown and razored ends through the mid-lengths. It works best on curly and wavy hair — spritz dry shampoo at the roots for that effortlessly mussed-up, rock ‘n’ roll texture.

This shaggy bob on Mercedes Mendez is giving full ’70s vibes, and we love how the straighter fringe brings it firmly into 2025.

The halo shag gets its name from the much shorter layers concentrated around the crown, giving the cut a soft, halo-like effect.

Introducing the hacked shag — a shorter, razored cut designed to enhance texture. This technique is perfect for adding dimension and movement to straighter, finer hair.

The ’70s called — and we heard that this waterfall-esque curly shag is still just as cool in 2025 and beyond.

Meet the shullet — a cross between a choppy shag and a flicky mullet. Somehow, it just works.

You can still rock a shag on longer hair — all it takes is a few extra layers and a full fringe. Your hair stylist will cut the fringe vertically for a bitty, textured look rather than a straight-across line.

Who said mid-length haircuts have to be boring? This collarbone-grazing shag is full of personality, with layers that enhance the curls and a taper that flows all the way down.