BYRDIE

Hair

The 25 Best Side-Part Bob Hairstyles to Copy ASAP

 

very time a celebrity gets a bob, we find ourselves on our salon's website, hovering over the "book appointment" key as we contemplate going for a chop of our own. No matter what kind of bob said celebrity gets—let it be an Italian bob, French bob, flipped-out bob, etc.— there's no denying that chin-length hair is chic. Add in a side part and you can consider that appointment booked.

We know that where you part your hair has been a hot topic of discussion with Gen Z declaring side parts "out," and then eventually deeming them back in again. But, after you see the volume-boosting power that hair parted to the side can have, we have a feeling we know which side of the debate– pun intended– you'll be on. After all, creating a bit of asymmetry can indeed create wonders for different face shapes, hair textures, and styles.

So, if you're in the market for a new style of bob or are exploring how to change your hair part, we've got your back. From Zendaya's glamorous bob and Taylor Swift's lived-in style to Amandla Stenberg's side-parted box braids and Julia Garner's curly bob, keep scrolling for some serious hair inspiration. Plus, tips from professional hairstylists, Devin Toth and Raven Hurtado.

MEET THE EXPERT

Devin Toth is a hairstylist at SalonSCK in New York City.

Raven Hurtado is a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

 

Bouncy Soft Bob

Hurtado says Kourtney Kardashian Barker’s soft, sexy bedroom bob has been super popular lately. She recommends blow-drying the hair with a large barrel round brush to give light bounce and volume. Then, hit it with a finishing cream or oil, like the Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil ($47), for a shiny finish.

Bedazzled Side-Part Bob

Is eyelash glue the new duct tape? Probably not. But Real Housewives of Orange County star Gina Kirschenheiter proves that it is an easy, removable way to stud the flatter side of your side-part bob (and your ear, apparently) with a waterfall of pearls.

Byrdie Tip

Use a dab of clear eyelash glue to stick gemstones or pearls on one side of your bob, or in a line along the side part.

Asymmetrical Side-Part Bob

Taraji P. Henson is proof that if you work with your curls—not against them—amazing things can happen. This chin-length bob creates stunning angles, while the side part stacks curls to one side, giving the style a modern, asymmetrical look.

Long Side-Part Lob

A long, collarbone-grazing bob is a great compromise for anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of shorter hair. Hurtado loves this length because it’s casual and low-maintenance, while the side part adds just a dash of drama.

Tousled Bob

We love windswept rocker hairstyles, and a deep side part is a great addition that brings lots of tousled texture with it. This style almost looks like Kristen Stewart rode the whole way there with her head out the window—in a good way.

Byrdie Tip

A heavy-duty texturizing spray will be your best friend for these tousled, effortless parts that don’t look too “done up.” We recommend a healthy dose of the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($52)

Curly Fringe Bob

Someone, somewhere once told us the lie that someone with curly hair should not have bangs, and we have never, ever forgiven them. Yara Shahidi’s coily fringe is such a fun touch—like icing on the cake—for her sophisticated bob and modern side part.

Disco Glam Bob

If ever there was an occasion to bust out the biggest velcro rollers you can find, these shoulder-length '70s feathered curls would be it. While Farrah Fawcett’s hair may have been a bit longer, we love how glamorous the curls look on a side-parted bob.

Clipped Bob

Sometimes a deep part’s job is to literally and figuratively take a step to the side. Kerry Washington’s side-part bob gives her a larger canvas on one side to showcase two statement-making hair clips. Try it with a mix of shapes and colors or use the space to neatly stack a row of Kitsch's rhinestone bobby pins ($12).

Byrdie Tip

Accessorize your side-part bob with an earring peeking out or a statement bobby pin or barrette. Toth recommends accessories from Kitsch, Jennifer Behr, and Lelet NY. 

Pin-Straight Bob

A pin-straight side-part bob is classic for good reason. Start in the shower with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner like Amika's Velveteen Dream Anti-Frizz Smoothing Shampoo ($28), and prep with a heat protectant before straightening the hair in sections. Finish with a shine spray for extra polish.

Braided Bob

A deep side part adds serious drama to shoulder-length box braids as seen here on Amandla Stenberg.

Angled Side-Part Bob

Hurtado likes this angled bob for a sleek, polished look. “The haircut is slightly shorter in the back and longer in the front,” she notes, which gives it a modern edge in a very subtle way. Bonus: by parting this way, even a sleek and straight style can score a little volume at the top.

'20s-Inspired Ends

With the ends tucked and pinned up to create a rounded, flapper-style shape, this short bob gives '20s vibes but feels more modern thanks to the off-center part.

Curly Bob

These undone curls look bouncy and playful on a short cut with a deep side part—as if Julia Garner ran her fingers through her hair, shook the curls around, and called it a day. To let all the texture do the talking, refine your curls with a defining cream like Kevin Murphy's Killer Curls ($41).

Wavy Bob

Soft, breezy waves are a natural fit for a side-part bob. It’s all about looking effortless (even if it might have taken some effort, courtesy of a curling iron and some hairspray). If you like the romance of keeping one side tucked back all day, here’s a good trick: “Tightly bring one side back into a hidden ponytail at the nape of your head, secured with an elastic,” Toth explains. “Allow the rest of your mane to cover and hide the ponytail. The key to this look is to keep the back of your side part out of the ponytail, falling downward with the rest of your hair.”

Flipped Out Bob

This slicked bob tucked behind the ears is sophisticated, but the slight flip at the ends—done with just a gentle bevel of a flat iron—makes it feel statuesque.

Straight and Sleek Bob

The ends of this razor-sharp blunt bob could cut like a knife, and placing the part a few inches off-center gives this understated style a little extra edge.

Byrdie Tip

When creating a deeper side part, you may need a little extra help to hold it in place. “Using hairspray to control the top of this hairstyle is key,” Toth advises.

Boy Band Bob

Kaia Gerber is pitch-perfect in what we call the “Boy Band Bob.” It’s essentially the same shaggy cut you remember from the Hansen or Leonardo DiCaprio poster you had on your wall in middle school. This swingy, flopped-over crop is making a serious comeback, and we love it with a little piece-y texture (like: “I’m just a little sweaty from running around the Titanic with you, babe”). Toth loves how the “deep, messy no-part part” gives off a casual, effortless vibe.

Micro Side-Part Bob

Not afraid of heights? A chin-grazing (or higher) micro bob is so perfectly Parisian we can practically smell the Chanel No. 5 from here. An offset side part can give the simple cut a little extra interest and lift it at the roots.

Shaved Side Part

A nontraditional take on the style, Tati Gabrielle’s intricately braided platinum bob turns into a badass undercut on the other side—giving the illusion of a deep side part.

Faux Bob

Love the look of a side-part bob, but not ready to make the chop? Luckily, it's possible to style your hair into a pretty convincing faux bob, as Zendaya does here. With your lengths braided and tucked away, you'll achieve this sleek aesthetic without any need for scissors.

The Wet Look

There's something so chic and mysterious about the wet hair look. (Namely: How did you get so wet? And why is it only your hair?) A deep side part adds even more intrigue. Start with the part, then slick your hair with a generous amount of water-based hair gel. Then use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to break up the hair from mid-shaft to the ends—which will give it that tousled, just-out-of-the-shower look.

Mixed Texture Bob

For natural curls, Toth recommends this fun mixed-texture bob. “Create your side part using a tail comb and then brush the hair outward to the top of your head and secure the hair on each side with cross-hatched or crisscrossed bobby pins,” he says. “The key to this style is maintaining the contrast between the flat, smooth hair on top of your head and the curly textured hair everywhere else.”

Italian Bob

A bob isn't just a bob—there are more than a handful of ways to describe the varying styles. Recently, the Italian bob has been en vogue for its upscale flair, which Zendaya added to by parting her hair to the side and creating more volume at the root.

Slept-In Bob

Taylor Swift's lived-in bob is both edgy and classic. Her signature side-swept bangs have a little more texture than usual, adding to this rock n' roll flair.

Flipped Out Bob

Leave it to Jenna Ortega to make classic flipped ends look so much cooler. Combined with curtain bangs that are parted slightly to the side, the combo takes the look to the next level.

FAQ

What is a bob?

A bob is a short haircut that ranges from shoulder-grazing all the way up to the ears (AKA a micro bob). It gained popularity in the 1920s as a kind of gender rebellion for women and was seen as a daring look for the vaudeville set. In fact, some hairdressers flat-out refused to cut them, sending women into barber shops to get a shorter look.

Are side parts still in style?

A few years back, TikTok declared that the side part was being sent to the nearest retirement home. But thanks to its versatility and ability to boost volume and add interest to a style, the side part isn’t going anywhere.

Are bobs good for thin hair?

Bobs are a great option for thin or fine hair. When you cut your hair short, you’re removing some of the weight that may have been quite literally dragging it down. With a bob, your roots don’t have to hold as much weight, so it’s easier to build volume and movement.

Do side-part bobs work for anyone?

Absolutely!  “[Bobs] are great because they’re easy to style,” Hurtado explains. They tend to look just as good air-dried as they do straightened or blown out, she adds, and even those with curly hair can tousle and go with just a little bit of styling cream to tame flyaways. The side part is a styling bonus, adding a little oomph at the roots for volume.