16 Shaggy Bob Haircut Ideas

Published on 8/30/2023 at 10:50 AM

Short hair has taken over 2023 with styles like the Italian bob and the "bixie" taking over Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards. In short, chopping off your hair this year has become the go-to move. With so many styles to choose from, it can be hard to pick the one for you, but a classic take on the bob haircut is gaining popularity once more.

Marrying the ever-trendy shag with cropped length, the shaggy bob haircut is all about movement and body. It's all thanks to the addition of layers — and lots of them. To give you more insight into this tousled, edgy hairstyle, we spoke with celebrity hairstylists Wesley O'Meara and Ted Gibson. They're sharing what exactly this look is, as well as how to style it at home. Keep reading to learn more.

Unlike the chic elegance that comes with a blunt French bob, Gibson describes this haircut as a "cool girl" look due to its "choppy layers and textured ends." It also "usually isn't a blunt shape, [which] makes it a freer-feeling haircut," he tells POPSUGAR. When you think of a shaggy bob, it's full of layers that'll help add volume and texture to your hair.

If you're considering a shaggy bob haircut, the good news is that it works for all hair types and face shapes, according to O'Meara. He emphasizes its versatility, explaining how you can personalize it to your style and needs. "It's a wonderful cut that can give fine hair more body and texture or for thick hair, it can help to remove weight." It doesn't matter what your personal style is or how you identify, O'Meara says, "This haircut is for you."

At his salon, Starring by Ted Gibson, Gibson typically creates this hairstyle with lots of piecey texture to really give it a disheveled look.

O'Meara says all you need are a couple of products to style a shaggy bob at home. On damp hair, he recommends applying Navy Hair Care's Style Navigator ($30) to "prep before adding heat." You can also use it afterward to add separation and shininess to your hair. "This product also has a slip to it for the most perfect shiny and beachy texture," he adds.

O'Meara notes that the shaggy bob hairstyle looks great on wavy hair when it's air-dried, while curly hair should rely on a diffuser and curl cream. His personal favorite is the Bumble and Bumble Bb Curl Defining Cream ($33). If you have straight hair, using a flat iron is the best way to add texture as it "creates a soft bend in the hair," O'Meara says. To finish the look, he likes to spritz with a sea salt spray — specifically the Balmain Hair Couture Texturizing Sea Salt Spray ($52).

This classic shaggy bob features a longer length with soft waves and short, side-swept bangs. The layers combined with the wavy texture add volume and shape around the face.

Not all shaggy bobs need to have a tousled, bedhead feel, and this soft version is proof. It still has those short, choppy bangs, but the layers are more blended.

This style is all about emphasizing your curls with lots of layers. Meanwhile, the long, center-parted bangs open up the face.

Curls will naturally add volume to your look, especially when paired with a shaggy chop. The shorter length, combined with the micro bangs, frames your face, bringing attention to your eyes.

Coily hair can rock this look, as both Gibson and O'Meara claim all hair types look great in a shaggy bob. At the salon, O'Meara suggests a dry cut for coily hair as it helps shape the curls better.

If you have fine hair, Gibson says this style can help add volume to your look. The layers help even the straightest of hair gain more shape. Plus, you can personalize it with a curtain bang.

This shaggy bob is slightly longer in the front with shorter, choppy layers in the back. That's what gives it a messy, disheveled look (in a really chic way). Topped with the choppy bangs, you've got a more modern shag.

Here's proof that the shaggy bob haircut can look really chic. The subtle wave at the ends and thick bangs give it an edgy feel. It's like a cross between a French bob and a shag.

This layered style includes soft, feathery bangs. By curling your ends with a flatiron like O'Meara suggests, you can accentuate the different layers.

From the side, you can really see how heavy layering gives this lob a cool, bedhead feel. It also showcases how you don't have to go super short with this look.

Because the shaggy bob is such a versatile haircut, you can wear it at micro length. A few short layers and micro bangs complete the look.

You can take a more elegant and modern approach with the hairstyle by flicking out the ends. To make it more trendy, add a blunt bang.

You don't have to add a lot of layers to get the shaggy bob look. In this version, there are a few layers throughout, but not so many that it thins out the hair too much.

Want a more tousled look? A razor-cut shaggy bob may be the perfect thing. It uses a razor or shears to "smoothly" slice through the hair, as O'Meara describes. Going chin length with a lot of layers gives it a disheveled appearance.

Curls paired with layers equals major volume. The C-shape of this haircut is super flattering.

The versatility of this look allows you to incorporate soft curtain bangs and wispy face-framing pieces.