- While often labeled as ‘Karen’-coded, inverted bobs are actually one of the best cuts for adding volume—especially for fine or thin hair.
- It’s a proven classic with modern appeal: from Victoria Beckham’s iconic Y2K ‘pob’ to updated takes worn by Lily Collins, Rihanna, and Gigi Hadid, the inverted bob is loved by celebs.
- It works across textures and lengths and is endlessly adaptable and genuinely flattering on almost everyone.
Inverted bobs tend to get a bad rap, but we are here to change that narrative. While yes, some people may associate the shorter at the back, longer at the front, style as being quite ‘Karen’-coded, it’s actually a great way to add tons of volume to your hair. So, for anyone with thin or finer hair, it could be exactly the new haircut you’re looking for to achieve that fuller look.
And, how could we forget one of the OG pioneers of the inverted bob, Posh Spice herself— Victoria Beckham loved the style so much, it was even dubbed the ‘pob’ in the early 2000s.
Well, with Y2K alive and well in the zeitgeist, we think it’s about time the inverted bob became commonplace again, too. To help inspire you (and for some ultra-glam styling ideas), we’ve listed some of our favorite looks below to prove that anyone can truly rock the inverted bob.
What is an inverted bob?
The inverted bob, similar to the A-line bob, is a chic haircut where the back is shorter and gradually angles longer toward the front. It’s usually styled to create plenty of volume and often falls around shoulder length in the front to frame the face.
The best inverted bob inspo:
The OG inverted bob
An inverted bob for the ages, Victoria Beckham’s style creates XXL volume by cutting the layers super short at the back. The feathered fringe around the front of her face is thinner, drawing all attention to the rounded layers above her neck.
The blunt inverted bob
Lily Collins' French bob (how fitting) subtly tapers to the front of her face to frame her jawline with blunt ends, creating a chic and sophisticated shape that epitomizes the classic short Parisian haircut.
Inverted lob
It’s a rite of passage for everyone with a bob to hit the ‘I'm growing it out!’ phase, which is where the long bob, or ‘lob’, was born. Selena is rocking her lob by having the framing pieces slightly longer than the rest of her lengths, creating a subtle inverted look.
Curly inverted bob
Inverted bobs are great for adding volume to thinner hair because of how many layers the style creates, which is why it’s typically seen on straighter hair types. However, a wavy or curly inverted bob can look so chic, just check Beyonce’s ombre ‘do. Her textured, relaxed waves with highlighted ends give the beach vibes we have been dreaming of all winter long.
XXL face-framing bangs with an inverted bob
Rihanna is a bob powerhouse, and can pull off the inverted bob like no one else (apart from VB *obvs*). We are yearning for a return of Rihanna’s bob era as much as we want a new album from her…
Dressed-down inverted bob
We're loving Gigi Hadid's effortless inverted cut paired with her dramatic side part. The style is also great for longevity, as the shorter you cut your layers, the more time you can wait between cuts (don’t tell your hairdresser we said that!)
Inverted bob with bangs
The rounded effect of this inverted bob has been created by layers so finely and smoothly cut that they fade into each other seamlessly. The addition of the choppier, wispy bangs adds a much-needed bit of texture and framing.
Inverted bob with a side part
Jennifer Aniston has rocked some iconic bobs in her time, but her most recent inverted bob is one of our faves. Her darkened roots and honey highlights create a really natural, sun-kissed color that we are def bookmarking for the spring.
Amy May Ellis (she/her) is the SEO Executive for Cosmopolitan UK, Women's Health UK, Men's Health UK, and Runner's World UK. Her love for all things beauty, fashion, and wellness are evident in her work with these lifestyle and fitness brands. Providing content recommendations for everything from new gut health supplements to the latest fashion trend, Amy has a keen eye for detail and loves to spot trends before they fully flourish.
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Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
