Some trends come back quietly. The 80’s bob haircut did not. It came back big, loud, and gloriously full of volume, and honestly, we are not mad about it. After years of flat, sleek hair ruling the feed, the 80s bob feels like a breath of fresh air.
What makes this revival so wearable is that it is not one single cut. It is a whole family of styles, from permed curls to crimped texture to feathered layers, all built on the same idea: hair that takes up space and looks alive. Our main bob trends guide puts the 80s bob in context with every other bob having a moment right now.
Below you will find 20 ways to wear the 80s bob, plus the styling notes that actually matter, like which version suits fine hair, which one survives humidity, and what to ask for at the salon. For more retro styling ideas from a trusted source, Byrdie regularly covers throwback hair trends worth borrowing from.
- An 80s bob is defined by volume first: big crowns, bouncy layers, and ends that move.
- Permed, crimped, feathered, and waved finishes all count, so there is a version for every texture.
- Fine hair benefits the most, because the whole 80s toolkit is designed to fake fullness.
- A round brush blowout and root lift spray are the two tools that matter most.
- These 20 styles range from everyday wearable to full evening glam, with salon wording for each.
20 Gorgeous 80s Bob Styles to Try
The Classic 80’s Bob Haircut, Revived
This is the cut that started the whole revival. A round brush blowout, a flipped under hemline, and serious crown volume turn a simple chin length bob into something that walks into a room first.
Ask your stylist for a blunt perimeter with soft internal layers. That combo keeps the shape full without letting it go triangle shaped as it grows out. It is the most wearable version of the 80’s bob haircut for everyday life.
The Permed 80’s Bob Haircut
Nothing says 1980s quite like a perm. Tight, springy curls packed into a chin length shape give you volume that survives humidity, dancing, and a long day.
Modern perms are gentler than the ones from back in the day, so talk to your stylist about a soft perm if you want the look without the crunch. For more curl inspiration, our curly bob hairstyles guide has plenty of ideas.
The Crimped 80s Bob
Crimping is the fastest way to fake a whole head of texture. Run a crimper through sections of a chin length bob and suddenly flat hair looks twice as thick.
Keep the crimp from roots to ends for full drama, or crimp just the mid lengths if you want something you can actually wear to work.
The Feathered 80s Bob
Feathered layers flick away from the face and give the bob that windswept, just stepped out of a salon feeling. It is light, airy, and very forgiving as it grows out.
This one is a kind friend to finer hair, since the layers create movement without removing weight. Our short bob haircuts for fine hair guide explains why that balance matters.
The Big Bangs 80s Bob
Big bangs are half the personality of an 80s bob. Blow dried high and full, they frame the eyes and make the whole cut look intentional even on a lazy hair day.
A round brush and a little root lift spray do most of the work here. Dry the fringe forward first, then sweep it into place.
The Soft Waved 80s Bob
Not every 80s bob has to shout. This softer version keeps the volume but polishes the waves into smooth, loose curves that work beautifully for weddings and dinners.
If your hair already has a natural bend, this is your easiest route into the trend. Our short bobs for wavy hair guide shows how to let texture do the heavy lifting.
The Bold Layered 80s Bob
When the layers are the whole point, go bold. Short, choppy layers stacked through the crown give this bob its height and its attitude.
Thick hair loves this cut because the layers remove bulk where you do not want it. For a thinner hair take on layering, see our layered bob haircuts for thin hair guide.
The Tight Curl 80s Bob
A rounded cloud of tight curls is the most joyful version of this trend. The shape is almost a perfect circle, and it photographs beautifully from every angle.
Cut it dry, curl by curl, so the shape lands right once the curls spring up. Diffuse on low heat and leave it alone after that.
The Sleek Sides, Big Crown 80s Bob
This is the boardroom version of the 80s bob. Smooth, polished sides keep it professional while a teased crown adds the drama up top.
Backcomb gently at the roots, smooth the top layer over, and set it with a flexible hold spray so it moves instead of freezing.
The Deep Side Part 80s Bob
A deep side part is instant glamour. It throws most of the hair to one side, which creates a sweeping wave across the forehead and serious volume at the crown.
This parting flatters almost every face shape, and it works especially well on straight hair that holds a blowout. Our bob haircut for straight hair guide has more straight hair styling ideas.
The Headband 80s Bob
Few accessories belong to a decade the way the wide headband belongs to the 80s. Push a fluffy bob back with one and the whole look falls into place in seconds.
Pick a fabric band in a color that matches your outfit, and let a few soft pieces fall loose around your face so it does not look too severe.
The Tousled 80s Bob
Tousled is the 80s bob for people who hate fussing. Scrunch in some texture spray, rough dry, and let the waves land wherever they want.
The trick is stopping before it looks messy rather than tousled. A light pass with a flat iron on just the very ends keeps it intentional.
The Chin Length 80s Bob
Short, round, and bouncy, the chin length version is the purest form of the cut. Ends curl under, the crown stays high, and the jawline gets a beautiful frame.
Round faces should ask for a little extra length at the front to keep things balanced. Our bob for round face guide breaks down the best lengths by face shape.
The Shoulder Grazing 80s Bob
If you are not ready to go short, this longer version keeps all the 80s volume with a safety net of length. Bouncy layers flick outward and the ends still move beautifully.
It also grows out gracefully, which makes it the smartest first step into the trend. For the longer end of bob territory, our long bob haircut guide covers every length between chin and collarbone.
The Asymmetrical 80s Bob
One side longer than the other gives the classic 80s bob a sharp, modern edge. The uneven line catches the eye and makes a simple blowout look like a statement.
Keep the longer side sleek so the asymmetry reads clearly, and let the shorter side carry the volume. For a night out, this is the boldest take on the 80’s bob haircut in the whole collection.
The 80s Bob for Fine Hair
Fine hair was practically made for this trend, because the whole 80s playbook is about faking fullness. Root lift, airy layers, and a round brush blowout can double how thick your hair looks.
The secret is keeping the hemline blunt so the ends look dense. Our bob haircuts for thin hair to look thicker guide has more tricks that actually work.
The 80s Bob for Thick Hair
Thick hair and 80s volume are a natural match. This cut lets your hair be as big as it wants to be, with layers inside to keep the shape from going wide.
Ask for internal layers rather than short layers on top, so you keep the outline full. A strong angled shape also works beautifully here, like the ones in our stunning A-line bob haircuts collection.
The Wet Look Waves 80s Bob
Glossy, sculpted waves bring a dressier side to the 80s bob. It is the version you wear when the occasion calls for something a little more polished.
Work a shine gel through damp hair, shape the waves with your fingers or a comb, and let it set without touching it. The less you fuss, the better it holds.
The Half Up 80s Bob
Pulling the top section up while the rest falls free is the easiest way to show off both volume and length. A clip or small scrunchie at the crown does the job.
Tease the crown a little before clipping so the top does not fall flat, and leave face framing pieces loose for softness.
The Evening Glam 80s Bob
Save the biggest blowout for the evening. Extra volume, polished waves, and a high shine finish turn the everyday 80s bob into something red carpet ready.
Blow dry in sections with a large round brush, set the top with rollers while you do your makeup, then brush out gently for that soft, expensive bounce.
Final Thoughts
If there is one thing the 80’s bob haircut teaches us, it is that volume is not something to apologize for. Pick the version that matches your texture and your patience for styling, take the salon wording from your favorite section, and give it a proper try before deciding it is too much.
Start with the classic blowout if you are new to the trend, then branch out into perms or crimps once you know how much volume you actually like living with. And if you love the bigger is better philosophy in general, our Italian bob guide is the next stop, since it shares the same bouncy, full bodied spirit.
What is an 80’s bob haircut?
An 80’s bob haircut is a chin to shoulder length bob styled with big 1980s volume, using blowouts, perms, crimps, or layered feathering. The shape is full and bouncy rather than sleek and flat.
Is the 80s bob good for fine hair?
Yes, it is one of the best trends for fine hair. Root lift, round brush blow drying, and airy layers make fine hair look much thicker, especially when the hemline is kept blunt.
How do I get 80s volume at home?
Blow dry with a large round brush, lifting at the roots, and finish with a light volumizing spray. For extra height, set the crown with rollers while the hair cools, then brush out gently.
What is the difference between a permed bob and a crimped bob?
A permed bob uses curls, either from a chemical perm or a curling iron, for all over bounce. A crimped bob uses a zigzag crimping iron for texture that adds width and thickness without curls.
How often should I trim an 80s bob?
Every 6 to 8 weeks keeps the shape bouncy and the ends full. Waiting longer lets the layers grow out unevenly, which flattens the volume that makes this cut work.
Can I wear an 80s bob to work?
Absolutely. Softer versions like the soft waved bob or the sleek sides, big crown bob look polished and professional, while the wilder permed and crimped versions are easy to save for weekends.
Sana Malik is a hair and beauty writer with a deep love for the bob in all its forms from sharp French bobs to soft, lived-in lobs. After years of experimenting with her own short hair and helping friends figure out what actually suits their face shape, she started writing to cut through the confusing advice out there. At BobHairTrends, she breaks down each cut into simple, honest guides: how to ask for it, how to style it at home, and who it really flatters. When she isn’t researching the latest trends, she’s usually testing a new styling product or convincing someone it’s finally time for the chop.
