Are side bangs trending for 2024? We think so, thanks to the one-and-only Taylor Swift. The superstar and bangs enthusiast joined in on the controversial trend during her latest outing in New York City on 13 December, where she wore her signature fringe clearly swept to the side.
In fairness, we've been seeing a revival of side bangs over the past couple of years after the style was declared “cheugy” and “over”. We've seen dainty little pixie like side bangs and long, glamorous Hollywood side-partings. But, what Taylor served up was some hardcore 2000s realness with a thick, heavy, deep-set side-fringe reminiscent of the supersized side-bangs we used to wear in our MySpace era.
Parted over the end of her opposite eye, Taylor's recent fringe buries three quarters of her forehead, with one chunk left bare, just like a bona fide noughties girl. The fringe was universal among everyone from Avril Lavigne to The Hills' Lauren Conrad and to be honest, we thought we'd left the look behind in 2009, so we're not really sure what to make of its return. But, we'll need to get used to it because we're sensing return to favour for the style in 2024.
Taylor is already fan-girling the look hard since this isn't even the first time she's stanned the side-fringe this month. On 6 December she stepped out with an equally full-throttle side-fringe after wearing her usual straight-across style to her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s football game just two days before. She also wore her fringe straight for various performances throughout the Eras Tour and for the premiere of the film of the same name.
Now you see it, now you don't.
So what's with the new look? Perhaps Taylor was inspired by the slew of fellow celebrities who debuted their own take on the side-bangs trend earlier in the month? Dua Lipa, Keke Palmer, America Ferrera, Natasha Lyonne, Meryl Streep and more all wore side-parted bangs to the Academy Museum Gala on 3 December (which was the same day Swift was at Kelce's game). So unless everyone’s in a group chat (and if they are, talk about FOMO), it’s clear that the power of the side bang transcends space, time, and possibly even logic. Maybe great minds just think alike.
If you're feeling inspired, we have good news. It's super easy to re-create Taylor Swift's beloved side-parted bangs, no matter your hair type, cut, or length.
If you prefer blow-drying bangs straight, celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena advises doing so as usual, then securing them to the side with a no-crease hair clip. “Leave the clip there for a few minutes while you finish getting ready, then finish it off with a light flexible finishing spray so they stay in place,” Mena says.
New York City hairstylist Dan Williams agrees, adding that you can also use a round brush or Dyson AirWrap. “Make sure the hair is wrapped under and toward the face, then allow to cool and push to either side that suits your preference and secure with lots of hairspray,” he says.
If you're more into tongs, Williams instead suggests using a large-barrel curling iron to get the look. “Use a one-inch-or-above curling iron to add smoothness and a slight bend at the end of the hair, and turn the barrel downward toward the face when curling, and then release and let set until cool,” he says.
Finally, if your hair is super stubborn, incorporate a Velcro roller. “Then part it to your desired side and secure with lots of hairspray,” he says.
And just like that, you're ready to start the new year with a (side) bang.
A version of this article originally appeared on GLAMOUR US.
