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10 Ways to Style an Italian Bob (and How it Differs From Other Bobs)

 

From Kaia Gerber and Laura Harrier to Simona Tabasco's character in The White Lotus, the Italian bob is popping up on red carpets and TV screens everywhere. The chin-grazing haircut is synonymous with effortless beauty. But the specifics of how it differs from other bobs isn't always obvious. We consulted experts on what sets the Italian bob apart, and how to ask for it at the salon.

Priscilla Valles, celebrity extensionist, tells us, “The Italian bob is a blunt cut with face-framing edges, rounded to fall just about chin length depending on how you style it. It has layers near the crown of the head, which makes it easier to move around compared to other bob styles. It is a great choice for people with textured hair, and will give the illusion of so much movement and life as you style it.”

Stylist Amy Abramite agrees, saying, “The Italian bob’s signature feature is the straight-across blunt length at the chin. It’s sleek with a clean structure for an elegant and timeless feel. It has minimal layers for subtle movement and can have a bang or light face framing. Most wear it with a side part for a little lift at the root with the ends turned under for an overall polished style.”

Considering taking the plunge and getting an Italian bob yourself? Continue below for everything you need to know about the Italian bob, along with some of our favorite celeb takes on the trend and expert advice from pro hairstylists.

Meet the expert

 Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.

Priscilla Valles, celebrity extensionist whose clients include Kendall Jenner, Angelina Jolie, and Hailey Bieber.

Christopher Naselli, celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Daisy Ridley, Sarayu Blue, and Nina Dobrev.

Clayton Hawkins, celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Olivia Rodrigo, Kiernan Shipka, and Ashley Park.

 

What is an Italian bob?

According to stylist Clayton Hawkins, the Italian bob is a chin-skimming blunt cut that curls slightly inward. Unlike a French bob which falls right at the cheek, this version hits right below the chin and above the shoulders. It is “the chicest bob haircut out there,” says Naselli. The Italian bob hugs the neck by carrying weight at the bottom with lots of volume, he adds.

How the Italian Bob Differs From Other Bobs

There are tons of bob haircuts to choose from these days in addition to the Italian bob. Besides the OG bob, there's the French bob, the lob, the asymmetrical bob, and even the butterfly bob. What sets the Italian bob apart from the rest is the blunt nature of the cut with the addition of a few intentional layers. “Compared to other European bobs that are having their moment, the Italian Bob has an image of sleekness and a little extra pizazz,” shares Valles. “Unlike other bobs, the Italian Bob does not have longer corners in the front, it stays short around the whole head with fringed ends for a relaxed look and added layers on top for volume and movement.” Abramite goes on to tell us, “A lob has a longer length that typically sits at the shoulders or longer with an angle forward. A French bob has a shorter length that is above the chin and closer to the lips with more layering. A traditional bob is one length with no layers with a heavier feeling and can be a variety of lengths.”

Who It's For

The Italian bob is one of the most versatile bobs since it suits most face shapes and hair textures, stylist Christopher Naselli tells us. But because the chunky ends are key to this look, the Italian bob especially flatters those with thick hair and natural waves, he adds. “This doesn’t mean [those] with finer texture can’t pull off this look,” says Naselli. “It just requires a little more attention and a bit more styling product.”

What to Ask Your Stylist For

Ready to get an Italian bob? The first thing you’ll want to do is find an inspo photo to share with your stylist, that way you’re super clear about your wants and needs. From there, the two of you can discuss your vision, what you like, don’t like, and more. “Ask your stylist for a clean blunt bob to the chin with no angle forward,” Abramite suggests. “The design line is straight across with long layers for a little movement and weight removal at the ends.”

Italian Bob Styling Tips

When it comes to styling an Italian bob, the first step in your routine is going to be hair prep. Go in with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner as well as a serum or oil from your mids to your ends. A side part is pretty typical with an Italian bob (although you can part it in the middle, too!). Valles adds, “You should reach for a mousse and texturizing spray always, to keep volume and movement going throughout the day.” Next, Abramite says, “Blow dry hair with a round brush with tension to straighten and turn ends under.” This is great for throwing in some added volume, too! Finally, pop in some hairspray to lock your hair in place.

Flipped Out

We adore Rita Ora’s take on the Italian bob, which she’s chosen to style with a middle part and flipped ends. To get a similar look for yourself, use gel or styling cream to slick down the crown of your head. Valles also suggests, “Use a round brush and blow dryer when styling the ends of your hair to achieve this blown-out, curled look."

Face-Framing Bob

Raye’s cut at first glance might not look like your traditional Italian bob, but it’s all in the styling! It’s such a versatile style that can be done in so many ways, and we love how she’s gone for more of a glam look here. After choosing your side part, Abramite says to “Blow dry hair with a round brush to smooth hair and add lift at the root area. When the hair is dry, follow up with a curling iron to add curls to the bangs and ends only."

Slicked + Swooped

As we previously mentioned, Simona Tabasco ushered the wave of the Italian bob, and her edgy style is both slicked and swooped in this beautiful look. "To style your bob this way you will need a good styling cream and gel to keep the slicked-back shape you desire on the crown of your head, along with the piece swooping in front to give the illusion of a bang,” Valles tells InStyle. “This style also shows the swooped ends, and you can use a rounded brush and hair dryer to achieve a blowout-style look."

Chic 'Do

Hailey Bieber’s chic ‘do is too good, and with blunt ends and subtle layers, she nails the Italian bob in the best way. She looks fab with a deep side part, which can best be achieved by adding a serum to damp hair, according to Abramite. In terms of styling tips, she also adds, "Blow dry hair with a paddle brush for smooth flat roots and gently kick out ends. Follow up with a large barrel curling iron and crimp the section in front of the face, tucking the other side behind the ear."

Bouncy Bob

If you want to achieve more of a classic take on the Italian bob, look no further than this image of Zendaya. From the deep and sharp side part to the swoopy bangs and subtle curls, it’s giving chic in the best way. To get the look, Valles proposes, “You will want a texturizing spray and hairspray to keep the volume in place and some styling or curl cream to hold the curls in place."

Sleeker Than Sleek

Kourtney Kardashian Barker’s take on the Italian bob is all about sleek styling. You’ll need your favorite serum and flat iron to achieve this look. After setting your hair into a side part and adding a serum to your hair, Abramite tells us to "Blow dry hair with a large round brush to smooth hair and roll ends under. Follow up with a flat iron to straighten hair and bevel ends.”

Fringey Bob

As we said, the Italian bob at its core is all about the cut, but styling is up to each individual person! And Emily Ratajkowski’s unique take features bangs and a wet-style look for an edgy appeal. “This is a much more blunt look including bangs,” shares Valles. “Definitely use texturizing spray if you want to achieve the almost crimped curl look going on here."

Old Hollywood Glam

Old Hollywood glam meets the Italian bob with Laura Harrier’s take on the trending cut. Her deep side part can be achieved with some serum applied to damp hair, followed up by some more styling, which Abramite details in the following statement, "Blowdry hair with a paddle brush to smooth hair. Follow up with a large barrel curling iron for loose waves from mid-lengths down."

Glossy Middle Part

While the Italian Bob is traditionally worn with a side part, Kaia Gerber is proof you can style the cut in any way you like! Her middle part shows off a different interpretation of the bob and needs little to no styling. "This style emphasizes the frayed edges of the cut and the face-framing look,” says Valles. “Her hair is looking almost pin straight with no movement going on—this is perfect if you are looking to sport a low-maintenance look."

Thick and Voluminous

Aubrey Plaza can truly do no wrong, and her Italian bob just might be one of our favorite renditions of the cut we’ve seen to date. To get the look for yourself, Abramite tells us, "Add a leave-in conditioner and a side part. Scrunch hair with fingers and blow dry hair with a diffuser attachment or let hair air dry for a natural texture."