The Feather Cut Is About to Be the Coolest Chop for Summer

We used to see hair trends play out slowly over decades, but thanks to social media’s fast pace, they now pin-ball back and forth at speed. The feather cut, however, has the sort of longevity and versatility that can withstand the current.

Overall, there’s two major trends we see yo-yo each season: super shaggy layers and sleek, blunt cuts. But the feather cut manages to blend the best of both into one chop.

Actress Lucy Hale recently jumped on board, posting to Instagram story. In the post, she noted that she’s joined the “short(er) hair club” after a new cut by celebrity hair stylist, Adam Campell and a soft (and slightly lighter) color refresh by celebrity hair colorist, Matt Rez.

In the picture, Hale reveals a collarbone length chop scattered with softly trimmed layers.

What is the feather cut?

Feathered cuts have been around for decades, particularly in the ’70s and even in the 2000s, when flicky layers (like Alice Cullen) had a quick revival, but the 2020s spin is much softer – with gently feathered out ends versus a rigidly straight baseline and longer layers.

The cut takes its name from the feathers of a bird and, like a bird, the “feathers” (which in this case are layers) can appear fanned out and textural, or smoothed down for a more fluid shape. It means they can add texture and movement, but can equally disappear into a style, should you want something sleeker. As for the length, it works on long to short styles, but we love the relaxed length of a lob or collarbone cut, which finishes at the ideal spot to see those soft ends.

How to wear a feather cut?

Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to wear the feather cut.

Shagged out feather cut and wispy bangs

Softly-straight feather cut

Curly feather cut

Wavy feather cut

Long feather cut

Coily feather cut

Collarbone-length feather cut

Feather cut and full fringe

Feather cut bob