While there are too many iconic hair eras to pick from, the 60s has to be up there as one of the best. With endless amounts of volume and body, and with the golden age of Hollywood added into the mix, it’s no surprise that we’re looking to the past for our haircut inspiration today. The style that has defined 2024, hands down, is the bob, which might be why we’re combining the two trends. Enter: the 60s bob.

The retro hairstyle perfectly combines sky-high volume and sleekness. Unlike the scruffier shaggy bob, this style has a more polished look but doesn’t compromise on body. With over 133.2 million posts on TikTok, it’s safe to assume that the 60s bob haircut is enjoying a massive comeback. 

The key identifier of this particular bob? The unrivalled bounciness. So if your hair is failing to rise like a souffle, this cut is one to add to your hair inspiration board. “Key elements to the style involve having a layer through the front section and some long layers throughout, so you’re able to get volume within this style when blow drying,” says Zoe Irwin, creative director at John Frieda Salons. 

She says that the real 60s element comes into play when you’ve used rollers to set it to create that vintage bounce. The good news is that despite how glam this look is, you can obtain it even if hair styling isn’t one of your talents. “Even if you’re a bit rubbish with a blow-dry, you can wrap hair into the rollers and then blow it dry,” she says. This helps keep the shape and boost volume.

It’s so chic we almost can’t believe it ever went out of style, but Irwin has a theory why it did. Spoiler: It’s our fault. “The key difference between the 60s and now is that you just didn’t touch your hair. I think we’ve not gotten into a habit of running our fingers through it, which is going to cause the style to collapse,” she adds. Her top tip? “Once you’ve styled and sprayed in product, I would only touch it with a comb to perhaps tease it back up. Leave it alone and that’s how you keep this fabulous volume within the hair.”

While this would flatter most hair types, Irwin thinks it would be one to avoid if you’ve got super-fine hair. “I think that this style tends to suit hair with a little bit of natural movement in because it’s really key that you have a texture that will hold some amount of wave,” she says. 

Images: Getty