'Dolly Bob': The Best Short Haircut For The Coquette Aesthetic

The term "dolly bob" probably conjures up images of a haircut with sky-high volume and huge amounts of hairspray in the style of a certain country singer, but this cut doesn't require massive volume or hairspray (and you definitely don't need blond hair to pull it off). The term was coined by Glamour to describe the new style that Leni Klum hinted at in her now-expired Instagram Stories at the end of April 2024. The model teased images of her new 'do (which subsequent Instagram posts may have revealed to be a wig), and the style featured a bob cut sitting just below her jawline along with some wispy tucked-under micro-bangs. This style has been dubbed the "dolly bob" after those vintage porcelain dolls with signature curled-under bangs that you might remember from your childhood, . 

The dolly bob fits perfectly into the coquette fashion and beauty trend, which is a celebration of all things lovely and traditionally feminine. The key ingredients are statement-making micro-bangs (preferably curled, but there's room to experiment here) and a bob-length cut. But within those boundaries, there are plenty of ways to give this look your own personal touch. 

The bangs that Leni Klum gave fans a glimpse of in her Instagram Story were on the feathery side, but you can opt for a full set of bangs if you prefer — that's definitely more in line with those vintage baby dolls, anyway! Give them a slight curl at the ends so they curve their way into your forehead, and if you want to play up the feminine aspect, take to the rest of your hair with a curling iron, too. 

The dolly bob looks chic on every hair type and texture, whether you have finer strands that fall near your face or thick tresses that create more volume. As long as you maintain those micro-bangs and don't let your hair fall below jaw-grazing length, anything goes — and everything looks fabulous. 

The true beauty of the dolly bob is that it doesn't require any styling if you don't want it to. Embrace your natural curl pattern by letting your bangs loose to do their own thing. They might naturally part into curtain bangs or tuck under in opposite directions, and those natural quirks just make the look more playful and true to the coquette aesthetic. 

The exception to the jaw-length cut-off is the angled variation of the bob. You can leave a few face-framing pieces to drop to your collar bone while still maintaining the romantic feel with micro-bangs. If you don't have natural curls, add some waves to your hair for added volume and texture. 

Vintage porcelain dolls are typically associated with curly or tucked-under bangs, but some did have straight bangs, too. If straight and sleek is more your thing, you can still rock it with this cut — just add some volumizing sea salt spray to give your locks a little body and keep the look fun.