Short and sleek bobs are one of the biggest beauty trends of the year, as evidenced by the large number of stylish women who’ve gone for the chop: Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo and America Ferrera among them. We’ve spoken at length about how to smooth them, cut them and take care of them, but the question of what outfits best accentuate the bob has so far gone unanswered.

As we now know, our hair and clothing work symbiotically when it comes to creating an all-round look. “Hair plays a significant role in our fashion choices. Its colour, texture and style have the power to influence the clothing we select,” Antonio Corral Calero, global creative director of haircare brand Moroccanoil, previously told Stylist. So, it makes sense that a statement hair shape, such as a bob, will only intensify this effect. 

To find out which wardrobe tweaks make the cropped cut seem even more stylish, we asked five hair stylists for their top fashion tips. Their answer? Pay plenty of attention to necklines, shades and silhouettes. And they even added examples. What more could we ask for?

But first, as Olaplex ambassador Tom Smith stresses: “Bobs tend to fall into two main categories – those that hero sharpness and precision and those that are more textured and carefree. It’s worth considering which one yours falls into when deciding how to complement or balance your look.” Once that is sorted, it’s time to start styling. 

“To make a sharp bob stand out more, choose an outfit of a contrasting colour and avoid prints or textures. A blonde bob can be framed beautifully with deeper clothing, while a brunette bob can contrast well with lighter tones,” says Smith. Echoing this, Anna Wiig, hair stylist, colourist and founder of Wiig adds: “Blonde, copper or red bobs will pop even more when wearing an all-black, minimalist style. A soft 90s bob works well with linen shirts and block colours, such as beige or khaki, giving that relaxed feel.” 

“In general, when you have short hair, you have more opportunities to show off your neck with your fashion and draw attention to collars, but everyone’s specific haircut and personal style will reflect differently,” explains hair stylist and salon owner Jerome Lordet. Meanwhile, Kirsten Finnigan, senior stylist at Hari’s in Notting Hill, adds: “A textured bob works great with a V-neck, creating a chic, elongating effect; off-the-shoulder tops are amazing for A-line bobs as they frame the face while highlighting your shoulders; and for a dynamic edge, a boat neckline pairs seamlessly with a boat neckline, adding trendy flair to the overall style.”  

While contrasting colours and monochromatic outfits can add extra drama to your bob-topped look, there’s plenty of place for patterns. “If opting for a textured layered bob, these look great with bold patterns to show off the texture,” shared Wiig. “Also, having lighter bits in the ends of the hair helps enhance movement and texture.” 

And if you’d like to soften the sharp edges of your business-friendly bob, it’s time to turn to layers and textures. “A very sharp bob can be softened with looser, layered and more textural clothing,” says Smith. So the recently resurgent boho trend could be one to take a peek at. 

“A short, sleek bob or laser-cut bob is the ultimate winter refresh, pairing effortlessly with cashmere turtlenecks and high-collared coats,” shares Jake Schaverien, stylist at Hari’s South Kensington. Lordet seconds this luxurious look adding: “I love a French bob, and I think it looks nice styled with a classic French look, especially a simple turtleneck.” While Wiig says to keep an eye out for more formal fits: “If you’re opting for a blunt bob, to me this screams power, so think blazers, suit pants, crisp shirts and tailored items.” 

Images: Getty