Your next bob obsession? If the internet is anything to go by, it will be the baroque bob, searches for which have rocketed by 1,000 percent on Google over the last few months. While it’s easy to understand the appeal of a French bob, a lob, or even the “old money” bob, the baroque style requires a little more explaining.
According to hairstylist Francesca Inverarity, the “baroque bob is all down to the blow dry and finish. It’s a simple but structured cut that is styled into voluminous sculpted waves.” Generally, the style sits just above the shoulder and features longer, looser layers, which allow for more versatility in styling. Zendaya is one excellent example of having worn the voluminous style.
“It oozes glamour and sophistication,” says Inverarity. “Really, it’s a classic bob shape, which draws inspiration from timeless Hollywood icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth.”
It certainly fits the bill for 2024’s overarching hair theme: a move towards more polished, luxurious hair, in contrast to last year’s focus on all things undone, understated and effortless. This is hair that looks “done”, but in a good way. “Less of the undone texture, more full, bouncy and sexy hair,” Inverarity says.
Courtesy of Francesca Inverarity
A great in-between cut, the baroque bob is a mid-way point for those growing out a shorter bob, or an easy way for those with longer hair to go shorter without too drastic a change. It also “compliments all face shapes and hair textures,” and since it’s more of a styling trend, anyone can get the look if they already have a bob.
What’s more, it’s a particularly good style to try if you have fine or thin hair because “it adds volume and dimension on these hair types, according to Inverarity. “But it can also easily be worn on thicker, curly or textured hair types too. It just needs to be styled correctly,” she says.
