From iconic ’90s bobs to vintage fringes, this season’s chicest cuts take inspiration from decades past
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Certain haircuts have a habit of circling back around. Whether single decades or entire eras bridge the gap between a style’s inception and its inevitable revival, those of us with a keen eye for hair trends have come to anticipate the cyclical resurgence of nostalgic cuts.
That said, the slew of vintage hairstyles emerging for summer 2026 brings with it some unexpected contenders. Amid heat waves , a rise in cropped, choppy pixies and effortlessly tousled bobs feels inevitable—but the return of once-iconic layers, Old Hollywood–inspired fringes, and playful Y2K styling feels less so.
Nevertheless, a quick glance at A-listers and recent Fashion Weeks confirms that the following 10 classic hairstyles are firmly making a comeback for summer 2026. From staples harking back to the swinging ’60s through to trademarks of the ’90s and ’00s, these are the trends to know now.
Early-2000s hairstyles were defined by Victoria Beckham’ s “posh bob,” a sleek, sharp cut with dramatic graduation that became one of the most coveted looks of the period. Although today’s iterations are more relaxed and airy, with softer lines (take Cate Blanchett’s for proof), the appeal of such a shape is undeniable for summer.
Laura Elliott, head stylist and educator at Neäl & Wølf , previously told Bazaar that the graduated bob “does most of the work for you.” Elliott explained that it naturally creates structure and volume, highlights the cheekbones, and suits a range of hair types, all with minimal heat styling.
Popularized by Jennifer Aniston on Friends in the late ’90s, the aptly named Rachel cut has become synonymous with choppy, face-framing layers. “That decade is having a huge moment again,” observes Andreas Wild , senior hairstylist at Larry King Notting Hill and Marylebone , adding that the revival of this style owes, in part, to the fact that it feels “surprisingly current.”
As such, Aniston’s look from 1996—famously coupled with honey-blonde highlights—was seemingly recreated by Gigi Hadid last month. This layering technique not only effortlessly enhances movement (ideal for those with fine or flat hair ), but it’s also versatile enough to be worn with a bouncy blow-dry or air-dried for ease.
Although the French bob originated in the 1920s, it’s largely considered to be a timeless crop. Demand for the jaw-skimming cut—which embodies casual Parisian chic—spiked once in the ’60s, again with Jessica Lange in the ’80s, and then in the early 2000s. Now, stars like Halle Berry have deemed it both modern and wonderfully low-maintenance for summer.
Styles such as this are particularly flattering for those with wavy, curly, or coily hair , as they lean into natural texture. As a result, air-drying (with a small amount of lightweight styling cream or leave-in conditioner) is not only possible but preferable for maintaining the intentionally “undone” effect.
Taking their name from French Hollywood icon Brigitte Bardot, these soft, middle-parted—often dubbed “A-line”—fringes have been spotted across Copenhagen Fashion Week . “Keeping those shorter, feathered sections around the face makes it feel effortless and flattering,” notes Wild—not to mention retro.
Wild adds: “It’s also the perfect summer haircut, because when you throw…