Bobs have been taking the world by storm over the past few years due to their chic, versatile cool-girl aesthetic. Now, a nostalgic 00s twist on the traditional style is coming back into fashion: the graduated bob.

As the name suggests, this bob boasts gradual, soft layers, moving away from the blunt bob or a bouncy curve bob to offer more natural texture and shape without becoming a fully shaggy bob. 

Danielle Garner, founder of Wildflower Studio, explains: “We’ve been seeing the blunt box bob for some time now, and with the revival of 90s blow-outs and layered volumised haircuts, it’s natural that it would transfer over to the bob too.

“Think Victoria Beckham but cooler. The personalisation of a bob – and matching volume with face shape – is the new way of styling hair.”

This might be the new Y2K-style haircut of the year, so here’s everything you need to know about the graduated bob – including how to style it and what to ask for at the salon… 

Layered haircuts have been on the rise – they can often add texture and depth to your hair and, for some hair types, even give the illusion of additional weight due to the volume, Garner explains. 

Samantha Cusick, founder Sta Studios, explains: “Unlike a classic bob, this cut is stacked at the back with soft layers that create volume and gradually get longer towards the front, giving it that sleek yet effortless shape.

“It’s the perfect balance between polished and undone – structured enough to look intentional but relaxed enough to feel modern. The back is cut shorter and layered slightly to add volume, while the length gradually increases towards the front for that seamless, face-framing effect. The key is keeping it soft – nothing too severe or choppy.”

Garner says: “With the need for easier styling methods and desire for movement and texture in your bob, a soft graduation through the back of the hair is the way to create a point of difference without having to grow your hair.

“This is created through the back of a bob haircut using layers and elevation to create a volumised level through the ends. It’s beautiful for elongating a neck or accentuating a jawline,” she adds. 

If you’re ready to make the chop, it’s best to go prepared to the salon. Garner encourages anyone wanting to go for a graduated bob to ask their hairdresser for “an A-line shape and soft graduation through the back section so that it doesn’t look old fashioned but still has the movement and volume of the desired shape”. 

Cusick adds: “Tell your stylist how dramatic you want the angle to be. Some people want a subtle, blended effect, while others want something more defined. 

“Bring reference photos – trust me, your stylist will love you for it – and ask how to tweak the shape to work best with your hair texture and face shape.” 

It’s a great look to maintain at home, as it requires minimal effort to shape after a wash, and it’s ideal as it can be quickly styled with a round brush and hairdryer or airwrap. 

“The best thing about a correctly created graduated bob is that it can be left in a natural tousle and also can be blow-dried with volume,” Garner says. 

Ahead of your next salon appointment, we’ve saved you some Pinterest scrolling time with some hair inspiration for your graduated bob. 

Images: Getty