Anne Hathaway's pixie cut proves short hair is forever chic

 Anne Hathaway has always been a timeless beauty icon. She is the queen of soft, effortless glam and perfectly sculpted locks. 

In 2012, the American actress chopped her signature brunette waves into a daring pixie cut - a beauty moment that instantly became iconic.

Originally a transformation for her Oscar-winning role as Fantine in Les Misérables, the haircut quickly transcended its cinematic purpose, becoming a beauty statement. 

The actress didn’t just wear the pixie; she owned it, and more than a decade on, her cropped style remains a beloved staple. 

© Getty Images

At the time, the pixie cut was a departure from the luscious, long lengths favoured by Hollywood’s leading ladies. The starlet's chop felt raw and real. 

Yet, The Devil Wears Prada actress brought an unmistakable elegance to it. Paired with her porcelain skin, flushed cheeks, and Audrey Hepburn-esque features, the cut felt both timeless and modern. It signalled a shift in how short hair could be worn: powerful, pretty, and feminine.

Fast forward to 2025, and pixie cuts are enjoying a major resurgence. On TikTok and runways alike, the crop is everywhere, from ultra-short buzzed styles to Hathaway-inspired soft layers with side-swept fringes. 

© Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireIma

Hathaway’s pixie, styled with red carpet glamour or off-duty simplicity, proved that short hair didn’t have to mean sacrificing versatility or softness. Now, in 2025, celebrities like Florence Pugh, Zoë Kravitz are revisiting the pixie with fresh eyes - think wet-look textures, baby bangs, and exaggerated volume.

Beauty lovers today have even embraced a new version of the cut called the Pullett - a mullet and pixie cut hybrid. It-girls like Iris Law have embraced the cut for the same reason: it’s liberating, low-maintenance, and a clear declaration of self-confidence.

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In a time when individuality and personal expression are front and centre, the pixie stands as a fearless alternative to the 'clean girl' waves and Rapunzel extensions that have dominated recent beauty trends. And in the age of constantly changing beauty trends, there’s something strikingly powerful about a woman who dares to bare it all-or at least, most of it-up top.

So, while Anne may have cut her hair for a role, she unknowingly carved out a legacy. Her 2012 pixie wasn’t just a haircut; it was a beauty benchmark. And as trends circle back around, one thing’s clear: Anne walked so today’s pixie-cut pioneers could run.