This season's most versatile looks are soft and effortless
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While much of the conversation around summer haircuts has centered on the bob or the pixie cut in their many iterations, a late-summer refresh doesn’t have to mean committing to a dramatic chop.
From the resurgence of nostalgic cuts like “the Rachel” to the effortlessly tousled styles seen across recent Fashion Weeks, this season’s chicest midlength haircuts are all about considered lengths, soft movement, and strategic layering.
The appeal of the midlength cut lies in its slightly unexpected proportions. “There’s something chic to be said about being neither here nor there,” says Adam Bennett of OXEA London , who has been seeing more clients opt for cuts that sit around the collarbone. The secret is keeping the shape soft, with subtle layering that gives the cut movement while maintaining that effortless, lived-in feel.
Ahead, discover seven of the most versatile midlength hairstyles for every hair type this season, plus the easiest ways to style them day-to-day.
A polished update on the iconic ’90s cut, the sleek Rachel cut sits around the shoulders or just below the collarbone, with rounded layers and shorter pieces framing the face. Brett, owner of CULt Hairdressing , describes it as “a strong nod to the ‘90s rock scene and not just Friends Season 2,” thanks to its combination of choppy texture and a smoother, sleeker finish.
For styling, Brett recommends working a high-quality mousse through the hair before blow-drying from root to tip, then smoothing everything down with a paddle brush rather than a round brush. Andrew John, creative director at Percy & Reed , similarly suggests a smooth blow-dry, finished with a straightener or a large round brush. A touch of serum or styling wax through the ends will give the cut its signature glossy finish.
Sitting somewhere between the shoulders and collarbone, the face-framing midi is an easy way to introduce movement without sacrificing too much length. Shorter pieces are cut around the cheekbones, jaw, or chin to accentuate the features, while layers through the lengths keep the overall shape soft and fluid rather than heavy.
“This haircut is trending,” says Brett, who notes that razoring and thinning can be used to create its light, textured finish. However, he recommends avoiding excessive thinning on very fine or particularly curly hair. To style, dry the hair relatively flat, then use a round brush or tongs to gently bend the face-framing pieces outward. A little texturizing product through the ends helps emphasize the movement.
Cooler and deliberately less polished than a classic lob, the collarbone chop falls exactly where its name suggests, with textured ends and subtle irregularities giving it an effortless finish. Rather than looking perfectly precise, the cut can incorporate choppy sections and pieces that fall unexpectedly, creating a more relaxed shape.
The appeal lies in not overstyling it. Work a texturizing or sea-salt spray through damp hair and allow it to air-dry, or use a hair dryer on a low setting while running your fingers through the lengths. The finished effect should feel undone rather than overly coiffed, with a little styling cream through the ends for definition.
For those who like the ease of a lob but want something softer than a blunt cut, the feathered lob retai…