What Is An 'Italian Bob'? Celebrity Hairstylists Break Down The Trendy Fall Cut For Women Over 40

For those seeking a haircut that accentuates your best features while adding volume and bounce, the Italian bob cut is an excellent choice. Inspired by Old Hollywood glamour, this hairstyle is favored by style icons such as Salma Hayek. The Italian bob elevates the classic bob with chunky, blunt ends, offering an airy and voluminous appearance that avoids any heaviness.

We consulted professional hairstylists to delve deeper into this fashionable cut, its anticipated popularity for fall 2024, and why it remains a timelessly flattering option for women over 40 desiring a more voluminous hairstyle. Read on for tips and suggestions from Lauren Udoh , hairstylist and hair creative director of WigReports, Ghanima Abdullah , hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles and Gina Rivera , celebrity hairstylist and founder of Phenix Salon Suites.

How The Italian Bob Creates Volume And Movement For Women Over 40

Udoh highlights the Italian bob, a trendy cut gaining popularity on TikTok and Instagram, as an ideal length that offers versatile styling possibilities. This medium bob (as seen above on Kourtney Kardashian and below on Aubrey Plaza) is long enough to be tied up but short enough to be worn effortlessly down. Udoh describes it as “a sleek and stylish choice for many occasions.”

She adds that “it’s a versatile cut that looks great on almost any face shape and hair type.” The length can be “adjusted to complement your features and create an attractive silhouette,” she notes. “This ever-popular bob provides volume at the crown, with textured layers that frame the face nicely while still maintaining an easy-to-manage style,” Udoh explains.

Additional Tips Before Hitting The Salon

Side parts evoke not only Old Hollywood, timeless glam— they also provide instant volume to shorter hair. As Abdullah points out, “in this manner, you can move the hair from one side to the other, as you wish.” The added hair going over, she says, as seen here on Rita Ora’s more modern, fresh take, will increase volume in the area as well, especially if your hair is used to being parted down the center.

“If you really prefer a center part, make a short one instead so that the hair in front goes to either side of your face,” she suggests. “Then the hair in the center can be brushed back. Any difference that you create when your hair is used to lying flat and completely to the sides will create volume and make a big difference,” she says.

Styling Hacks

Rivera suggests that Charlize Theron's asymmetrical Italian bob, featuring uneven ends, is a "terrific choice" for mature beauties.

This hairstyle seamlessly combines timeless elegance with a contemporary and fashionable flair.

"This style is so hip that it’s perfect for making our ladies in their prime look super chic," she says.

"Removing a bit of length from the hair, [adds] movement and creates a youthful appeal. "

When it comes to styling, Rivera notes that "texturing the hair" creates an "opportunity to remove some of the damaged ends and weight which bring more life to the hair as well."

The Bottom Line

Additionally, Rivera advises that it’s best to always "consult with your stylist on a maintenance schedule but for those trying to regain hair health, make sure to trim every 4-6 weeks."

Udoh also says that when styling thinner or finer tresses this fall , it's important to "avoid using too much heat-styling products" and to "try using a serum or oil before you style your hair."

For your Italian bob to look its best, she also says to always "make sure to rinse your hair completely after shampooing and conditioning" and to "dry your hair with a soft towel, and avoid rubbing it too harshly." The more you  know!