SerpApi.Org
Summer is often the time when we’re tempted to embrace a more carefree hairstyle, swapping polished looks for cuts with a fresher, more relaxed feel that suits balmy days and soaring temperatures.
This year is no exception, which may explain why the Italian bob has become the breakout haircut of the summer, with Pinterest reporting a 376 per cent year-on-year increase in searches. It’s a style perfectly suited to the season, with effortless glamour built into its DNA. The formula is simple: a cut that falls somewhere between the chin and shoulders, plenty of body and movement, and a deep side part (or wherever your hair naturally falls).
If an Italian-inspired bob isn’t for you, there are plenty of other cuts to refresh your look for the months ahead. Here are four of the best hairstyles to try this summer – and exactly what to ask your hairdresser for.
The Italian bob
As you might expect from an Italian import sported by icons including Monica Bellucci and Sophia Loren, there’s nothing boring about this bob. Although it’s the undisputed hairstyle of the summer, it has been simmering under the radar for some time, with celebrities such as Zendaya and Emma Stone wearing its signature blunt ends and OTT volume long before the rest of us caught on. As this cut proves, not all bobs are created equal. This relaxed, choppy style is worlds away from its more angular French cousin.
“People are tired of bulky, shorter bobs because they limit the hair’s movement,” explains super stylist Larry King. “An Italian bob is a longer version of a French bob, with longer face-framing pieces that give it more movement. It feels more relaxed.”
If you want to try a blunt bob, ask for a cut that sits around the jawline, with soft, invisible texture through the ends so it doesn’t feel too heavy. Ideal for fine hair because it creates the illusion of thickness, it looks particularly elegant when styled simply. “For a little movement once it’s dry, tuck it slightly behind the ears and create a subtle bend with a curling tong,” says Eliot Bute, a stylist at Hershesons Fitzrovia.
The modern shag
If your style leans more edgy than elegant, a textured shag is the way to go – just ask Wednesday star Jenna Ortega or actor Halle Berry. Also known as the wolf cut, King describes it as a modern mash-up of the Seventies shag and Eighties mullet, with plenty of choppy, textured layers to create movement and volume. While the overall effect is deliberately undone, achieving it requires a meticulously executed cut. “The ideal length is from around ear level to mid-shoulder,” he explains.
“That gives plenty of room for those signature layers that frame the face, add volume at the crown and still leave space for a fringe.” The appeal of the modern shag isn’t just that its light layers and naturally tousled texture make it ideal for warmer weather; it also works beautifully on naturally wavy, textured and straight hair alike. Bute adds that it’s also a great option for anyone looking to give finer hair more volume and shape.
The soft fringe
If you’re craving more of a style tweak than a complete overhaul, consider asking your hairdresser for a soft fringe, also known as a French fringe. Longer and wispier than a traditional blunt fringe, it’s a more wearable alternative. “The appeal lies in its versatility,” says King. “It works equally well with natural texture, air-dried waves or a polished blow-dry.”
It’s also well suited to summer, offering all the soft, face-framing benefits of a classic fringe while remaining long enough to sweep to the side or tuck behind your ears when needed. If you’re worried about it wilting in the heat, don’t be. According to King, “a little humidity, bend or separation only enhances the lived-in finish, making it feel less demanding day to day. It’s better slightly imperfect, as movement and texture are prioritised over precision.”
For inspiration, look to Daisy Edgar-Jones, who wears it beautifully, or Dakota Johnson, a long-time devotee of the style.
The butterfly cut
Rachel Green in Friends was the Nineties poster girl for this layered cut, but in 2026 the credit goes to Sydney Sweeney for making it feel modern again. Think long, cascading layers with plenty of movement and soft face-framing shape. While the layers are the defining feature, the secret is keeping everything seamlessly connected. “Ask for long, cascading layers with shorter face-framing pieces around the cheekbones and chin,” says Bute. “The layers make long hair feel lighter and easier to wear, while still giving you the option of tying it up. The aim is to create lots of movement while maintaining the overall length.”
It may look as though this style requires an abundance of thick hair, but it can work on almost anyone, including those with finer strands. “It’s ideal for anyone who wants more volume without sacrificing length. It’s especially flattering on thicker hair, but can also make finer hair appear fuller when cut correctly,” adds Bute.
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