Want to give your bob an elevated, sexy twist? Boy, have we got the haircut for you. Enter: the Birkin bob. 

Naturally, the best way to spruce up this year’s hottest haircut would be to throw in some bangs too, this time in the form of a blunt fringe. 

Similar to the texturised bob and the French bob, there’s a versatile and soft feel to this low-maintenance look that offers the ultimate effortless hairstyle. 

Sported by the likes of Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Zendaya and Jenna Ortega, it’s a chic new haircut that we’re desperately trying to recreate. Sian Wood, art director at Shoreditch salon Taylor Taylor London, talks us through this popular new hair trend and its high fashion origins. 

“The Birkin bang is quite simply a texturised, slightly longer fringe that skims the eyebrows and, although originally fuller in style, it can also be brought up to date with a wispier, lighter finish,” Wood says.

“Birkin bangs were made famous by iconic muse Jane Birkin, who also gave her name to Hermès’s beloved bag. Both have remained relevant through the decades due to their classic appeal.

“A super-versatile fringe, the Birkin can be worn forward on the face to create a heavier, sexier look, but when gently parted gives a softer, feminine feel. An added bonus is that it is perhaps one of the most low-maintenance fringe styles as its ‘lived-in’ aesthetic is all about carefree, effortless styling.”

How can Birkin bangs work with a bob?

“As the Birkin is a textured fringe,” says Wood, “I would never normally partner it with a blunt bob as it can look very disconnected. Instead, I would ensure that I used layers and texture across the whole cut to create unity, so that it perfectly complements any hair length.

“As a curl specialist, I recommend that the Birkin fringe is best styled on smoothed or naturally straight hair rather than curlier textures. This is because your stylist will be taking the weight out of the hair, which will make your curls naturally spring up – often unpredictably. 

“If you have curly hair, you also know the shape can change on a daily basis. For my clients that have curly hair and want a fringe, they need to be aware that it requires more commitment, and I’d profile the fringe according to the curl type, style and face shape to make it bespoke.”

What to ask your stylist for

The Birkin bob is flattering is on all face shapes and can instantly elevate a regular bob to a ‘cool-girl’ one with that classic textured finish. 

“Most stylists should know exactly what you mean when you ask for a Birkin fringe,” says Wood, “but if not, just ask for ‘texturised, wispy bangs’ and bring in your reference photos. 

“It may sound cheesy, but as stylists we really appreciate visuals when creating a look. For curly hair, it is a non-negotiable that the fringe is cut dry.”

To save you some scrolling time, we’ve found some photo inspiration for your next salon appointment to share with your hairdresser if you’re after a classic Birkin bob. 

Birkin bob photo inspiration

Images: Getty