Autumn, or fall, as Taylor Swift probably calls it, is a time to shed the old and welcome the new.
For newlywed Taylor, that meant lopping off her trademark long hair in favour of a shorter, shoulder-skimming hairstyle. And where Taylor leads, her legions of fans follow, so I'm declaring now onwards as the season of the off-duty bob.
Taylor isn't the only one rocking the long, slightly dishevelled bob – her friend and Eras Tour support act, Suki Waterhouse, has also leaned into the look, opting for an undone take on the collarbone-grazing look at Venice Film Festival.
© WireImagePamela Anderson, too. The Baywatch icon eschewed her usual high-glamour hair for a tousled take on the off-duty bob at the Italian film festival.
© Getty Images for Miu MiuDon't just take my word for it, though. Celebrity hairdresser and salon owner Melissa Timperley explains the beauty of Taylor, Suki and Pamela's hair.
The season of the off-duty bob
"I'd call Taylor’s new haircut the 'off-duty bob'," she confirms. "The style sits at the very longest end of the bob family, skimming the shoulders rather than sitting above them, but it still has that stronger, squarer feeling through the perimeter that gives a bob its fullness."
On why the off-duty bob is having its moment now, Melissa elaborated: "What makes it feel modern is that it isn't too polished. There's softness and movement through the shape and a slightly undone, lived-in quality to it.
"It feels like the more relaxed, grown-out sister of the boyfriend bob. The off-duty bob reflects where hair is heading generally.
"We still want beautiful, healthy, expensive-looking hair, but we don't necessarily want it to look like we've spent hours styling it. A little natural texture, a soft bend or even a slightly imperfect finish makes this cut look better."
© Bruce Glikas/WireImageTaylor's trademark fringe adds another layer of softness around the face and gives the whole shape that effortless feel, Melissa adds.
The beauty of the bob
As beauty journalists, we can sometimes be accused of trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to bobs, giving them new names every time an A-lister gets one cut in, but there's a reason the bob is perennially popular, and Taylor Swift just proved it.
The 36-year-old's hair looks fuller and healthier than it has in a long time since she had it cut, post-wedding.
Celebrity stylist and brand founder Adam Reed explains why. "People often associate growing their hair with having 'more' hair, but sometimes, taking length away can actually make it look significantly thicker.
"As hair gets longer, the ends can naturally become finer through every day wear, heat styling, colouring and breakage. By removing those more fragile, wispy ends and bringing the perimeter back to the point where the hair has greater density, you immediately create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair."
© Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty ImagesMelissa adds that it's not all down to the length of a bob. "Shorter hair can often look fuller, but it isn't simply a case of cutting it shorter to create volume. From a cutting perspective, it's about where you build and remove weight.
"Taking away finer or tired ends creates a stronger perimeter, which immediately makes the hair appear denser. Removing some of the excess length can also allow more natural movement and lift through the hair. It's about creating the illusion of fullness through the shape of the haircut rather than actually having more hair."
Why is the off-duty bob trending now?
It's the autumn urge to chop off our hair that's making the off-duty bob the cut of the moment, says Melissa.
"Autumn is the perfect time for that kind of change. After summer, your ends can feel dry, faded, or as if your haircut has simply lost its shape. Taking away some length and rebuilding the shape instantly makes your hair look healthier, fuller and more intentional."
Autumn fashion (which Taylor famously loves) comes into the equation, too.
© GC Images"We start wearing higher necklines, coats and more structured clothing, so changing the length of our hair around the shoulders and face can completely change our overall look. The off-duty bob gives you the feeling of a proper transformation without the commitment or precision of a classic bob."
Excuse me while I make an appointment for my own off-duty bob haircut...
