The Bob Meets The Rachel: Jennifer Aniston's Perfect Summer Haircut We Can't Wait To Steal
Jennifer Aniston is a verifiable icon. Earning a spot as America's sweetheart for her portrayal of Rachel Green on the '90s smash-hit TV show "Friends," we've watched her evolution with hearts in our eyes — and evolve, she has. From Aniston's stunning hair transformation to some surprisingly dramatic acting roles, we've seen the star blossom and grow. Of course, that doesn't mean forgetting those first steps. Aniston's career has, for better or for worse, been marked by her early success on "Friends" — including the enshrinement of her "Friends"-era hairstyle, the eponymous Rachel cut, as perhaps the most iconic haircut of all time.
The Rachel cut became astronomically popular during the show's run, but Aniston herself was not a fan of the look — not least because it was high-maintenance. In 2013, Aniston reminisced about the style in a conversation with Marie Claire, explaining that it took three brushes and was "like doing surgery" to style correctly. "I'd curse Chris every time I had to blow-dry," she said, calling out friend and stylist Chris McMillan, who pioneered the look.
With her lingering malice toward the cut — she even broke all our baby '90s hearts when she told Allure (via CBS News) that it was "the ugliest haircut I've ever seen" — we may never see Aniston don the full Rachel again. But her outing at the 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards proves that the Rachel can be reborn with a new, contemporary twist — and we can't wait to get in on the action this summer.
Aniston's sleek bob reimagines the classic Rachel hairstyle for today
Jennifer Aniston has been vocal about forsaking her Rachel styling. But intentionally or not, her bobbed cut at the 2024 SAG Awards was giving major "Friends" vibes. The original Rachel cut was a shoulder-length style that emphasized layers upon layers upon layers. With face-framing strands that tapered inward around the cheekbones and jaw, the Rachel delivered both volume and movement. Often, it also incorporated a few chunky highlights to break up the color.
Compare this to Aniston's 2024 bob, with its similar collarbone-grazing ends and face-framing tresses. The layers are subtler than the traditional Rachel, but they're still there, and still curling gently inward, offering a fresh spin on the look. Further updating the style, its volume is toned down to a silkier, more natural cascade of hair. We also see a subtle interplay of highlights and lowlights, giving a depth to the bob's coloring that's familiar yet contemporary.
While Aniston's cut may not have been meant as a nod to her role on "Friends," we can see why the internet sat up and took notice. '90s styles are a hot ticket, so who wouldn't drool over a haircut that marries the best of then and now? "Short, glossy, blunt bobs were really popular in the '90s, and so it's no surprise to see this making a comeback," hairstylist Nicola Wood tells Glamour. Happily, it's the perfect time to try this cut yourself — Aniston's modern, pseudo-Rachel bob is perfectly summer-ready.
Jennifer Aniston's layered bob is ideal for summer
Did Jennifer Aniston debut this look in February? Yes. Do we still plan on rocking it for summer? Also yes, and here's why. Firstly, bobs are having a moment right now. From Gigi Hadid's frankly enchanting princess bob to the low-maintenance vibes of the casual dad bob trend, iterations of this short haircut are decidedly en vogue.
What's more, bobs are a perfect solution to beat the summer heat. Instead of resorting to long-haired updos every single day, short cuts empower you to wear your hair down all summer long. Shorter styles like Aniston's chic bob help keep the hair off your neck and shoulders, so air can circulate and keep you cool. And if you do want to wear it up, the layered nature of the style makes it easy to pull out a few soft, face-framing strands.
Depending on the cut of your bob, styling short hair can also be quicker than working your way through long, thick locks. That means you can spend less time sweating under hairdryers and heat-styling tools, which can feel like instruments of torture in the muggy summer months. In short, it's a win-win style. So if you're hoping to hop on that '90s train by rocking your own version of Aniston's restyled Rachel, there's no need to wait — bobbed haircuts are the perfect look for a cute summertime vibe.