29 Pictures That Prove the French Bob Is the Chicest Haircut to Have Right Now
If you're thinking of changing your hair and going for the chop, you might be considering a number of haircuts. We’re here to help you find some inspiration, and where better to start than the bob? If you haven’t already succumbed to this shorter style in the last few years, you’re a stronger person than we are— at least half of theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK team had gone for the snip. Long bobs and blunt bobs have all had their moments but the most recent cool-girl hair trend? The French bob.
If you’re after something drastically different but still guaranteed to be chic, this is the style for you. But what defines a French bob, we hear you ask? Well, the original is sharply cut somewhere between the cheekbone and the chin—think Amélie— but more modern takes can fall anywhere above the collarbone, most often with a relaxed natural wave, and never too overdone.
According to French celebrity hairstylist Rudy Martins, "Most French girls had this haircut as children in Paris (often cut by their own mothers!). While the cut has a sweet and innocent touch, it's also innately cool without trying too hard."
Keep scrolling for the chicest French-style bobs we've seen and some of the best products around for perfecting the look, whatever your hair type.
French Bob Inspo:
Sylvie Mus's elegant bob skims her jawline to create a beautiful shape.
Loïcka Grâce's cropped French haircut is a timeless style.
Curls look totally stylish cut into a jaw-skimming French bob.
Braids look equally cool at a bob length, as Ellie Delphine shows.
The French bob and a fringe are a match made on heaven on Franny.
If a shorter haircut feels daunting, a longer, collarbone-skimming French bob is just the ticket.
Have your hairstylist cut your bob to frame your cheekbones for a flattering finish.
Influencer Aida shows us how to wear a French bob effortlessly.
Gentle waves in the lengths of your hair creates movement and volume.
Proof that curly hair can be styled in a French girl bob, too.
Tousled and off-duty is exactly how French girls pull off short hair.
More French Bob Inspiration:
You don't need to be a French influencer to pull this stylish look off, as these cool girls and celebrities show...
Model Hannah Kleit goes for laid-back simplicity.
We can't get enough of Ambrosia Malbrough's cheekbone-brushing style.
Bella shows even the wet look works with this style.
Just. So. Chic.
Lucy Boynton is the current queen of bobs.
Eva is a longtime fan of the chin-length bob.
Vanessa Hudgens could basically be French here, no?
Grece Ghanem shows this short style is perfect no matter what your age.
We love Irina Shayk's power look, proving a bob doesn't have to be sleek to be sexy.
Jourdan's curly bob looks effortless.
Lily James has gone for a slightly longer length but kept the casual messy waves of the French look.
Kelly Rowland shows how to do the fringe + French bob combo.
Emilia Clarke goes for a fringe-less look.
This picture might be from 2011, but Kiera's cut is bang on trend for 2023, proving it's also timeless.
Chloe's natural waves look so chic cut into this chin-length bob with sweeping fringe.
Zendaya's side-swept French bob looks so glamorous for awards season.
Nicole Ari Parker's textured bob and fringe pairing looks so cool.
Millie's centre-parted style and tucked-under ends lend polished '90s vibes to her take on the French bob.
Best Products for French Bobs
Perfect for curly hair, this lightweight gel shapes curls and coils for springy, bouncy strands.
Achieve cool-girl texture by spritzing through the lengths of your hair after styling.
The French bob looks good worn sleek or in waves and you an achieve both with this hair tool.
There's no risk of crispy, crunchy curls with this lightweight formulation.
Formulated with rice protein rather than the traditional salt, this fine mist delivers beachy waves to even the finest strands. Oh, and it smells amazing too.
Ideal for medium to thick hair, this styling lotion conditions and nourishes strands and blocks humidity to keep your style looking fresh whatever the weather.
This strand-thickening formula will convert even the hardest of mousse sceptics. It leaves hair soft, healthy and looking way thicker than before.
The name really says it all: a cult product for creating dishevelled, effortless, cool-girl hair.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Up Next: A French Woman Walks Into a Hair Salon—4 Bobs I Know She's Considering
Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing brand.
Emily has worked forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely withBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, teamBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.
Prior to joining theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.
When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.
Emily is currently on maternity leave.
-
4 Polished Haircuts Everyone Will Be Asking for in 2025, According to Top Stylists
New year, new hair?
By Grace Lindsay
-
21 Eyebrow-Framing Fringe Hairstyles That Are Finally Convincing Me to Get a Fringe
It's the chicest fringe going.
By Eleanor Vousden
-
I'm Calling It: These 5 Expert-Approved Short-Hair Trends Are About to Dominate Winter
Chop-chop.
By Eleanor Vousden
-
Hairstylists Agree, Everyone Will Be Asking For These 5 Expensive-Looking Bob Haircuts This Winter
Inspo incoming.
By Grace Day
-
Millennials, Rejoice—This Y2K Haircut Is Back and It's More Elegant Than Ever
These pictures prove it.
By Grace Lindsay
-
The Expensive-Looking Short Haircut Everyone Who Wants to Look Polished This Winter Is Asking For
It's so chic.
By Eleanor Vousden
-
Forget Clothes and Bags, It's Your Hair That Makes You Look Elegant—11 Ultra-Classy Styles for Every Length
All the salon inspiration you need.
By Grace Lindsay
-
The "Dolce Vita Crop" Is the Hair Trend Set to Take Over This Winter
A shortcut to looking chic.
By Eleanor Vousden