What Is the ‘Baroque Bob’ Haircut Taking Over Hollywood?

If you feel like everyone around you is suddenly trading in their long locks for a short, shoulder-skimming cut, it’s not your imagination; the bob is shaping up to be the cut of the season. But while there are countless variations on the classic short style, the so-called “baroque bob” might just be the leader of the pack. The versatile cut — also referred to as the “Italian bob” — is unstructured yet glam, chic yet effortless, and easily adaptable for just about any hair type or texture. Here, we’re sharing everything you need to know about the baroque bob and how to style it.

What Is the Baroque Bob Haircut? 

First, a history lesson: The word “baroque” is a reference to the cultural movement that swept Europe between the mid-17th and early 18th centuries. During this period, highly stylized art, music, and architecture flourished. (Paolo de Matteis’ iconic painting "The Triumph of the Immaculate" is a prime example of the grandiose nature of baroque art.) Today, we often use the word “baroque” to describe something that’s lavish or ornate. While the baroque bob is easy to style (as you’ll soon see), it does give off an air of timeless sophistication — hence the historical moniker. 

Now, onto the details: The baroque bob is typically a collarbone-skimming cut that features lots of soft layering throughout. The layering — as well as the body, volume, and movement it creates — is what differentiates a baroque bob from other shorter haircuts, like the blunt French bob or wispy “kitty cut.”  The style is typically worn with a bit of a wave or a soft curl and a deep side part, for what NYC-based hairstylist Nigella Miller calls “that old money look” (think: Sydney Sweeney at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party).

Is the Baroque Bob Suitable for All Hair Types?

“Bobs are the It-girl hairstyle right now, and [they] can be executed in so many different ways,” Miller says. The baroque bob cut can help fine strands appear thicker, while the cut’s shorter length and emphasis on layering can help bring movement to thicker, weightier strands. Those with curly manes can rock the vintage-inspired look, too — it “all depends on your stylist and how skilled they are,” Miller adds. Actor Laura Harrier is a great example.

How Do You Style the Baroque Bob? 

Volume is the key to nailing this bouncy, soft glam look. Just ask Zendaya, who sported a voluminous chop in 2023. After washing and conditioning, you’ll want to work a volumizing mousse throughout your hair from roots to ends. We love Living Proof Full Texturizing Foam because it adds body and helps protect against heat damage, but it won’t weigh down your hair. 

Once you’ve distributed the product throughout your mane, rough-dry your hair until it’s about 90% dry. Then, grab a wide-barrel round brush and begin brushing through your strands, wrapping the ends of your hair toward your face to create a soft inward curl. (Alternatively, you can combine these steps into one with a hot brush such as Mane It’s Giving Body Large Hot Thermal Round Brush.) 

When everything is dry and your curl is set, flip your head upside down and tousle your hair a bit to create that effortless undone look. Then right yourself, create your part — we recommend a deep side part to really lean into the vintage look — and lightly mist your hair with a flexible-hold hairspray, such as Kenra Professional Design Spray 9. Add accessories (an embellished barrette works beautifully here) or leave as-is for the perfect done-yet-undone bouncy bob.