The Crob: Meet The Nostalgic Bob Taking Over Salons In 2025
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1 day ago
We'll take a bob – but make it cropped
Our bob obsession is back in full force – and the next style on our radar is the crob, aka the cropped bob. Salon experts weigh in on what could be 2025’s next major hair trend.
What Is A Crob?
Remember those spike bob-pixie cut hybrids that were everywhere in the early 2000s? Well, they’re back. A crob – also known as a cropped bob – is a short, textured bob with a tousled look. ‘It leans towards 90s and 00s shapes, which were shorter and edgier than other bob haircuts at the time,’ adds Neale Rodger, Style Director at Stil Salon. ‘They were layered, texturised and young-looking, with a rebelliousness to them. The modern version isn’t as extreme as the 90s cut – instead it has a weightier, slightly grown-out feel.’
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How Does It Differ From A Classic Bob?
‘The cropped bob differs from other bob cuts as it introduces a hint of graduation around the bottom of the cut, explains Neale. ‘This pushes the weight of the style upwards into the body of the cut, exposing and elongating the neck which is then deconstructed to take on the form of long layers.’
And, as Neale mentioned, this is a bob rooted in the not-so-distant part – making it a very nostalgic cut. ‘The cropped bob arrived in the 90s and remained strong until the mid-2000s,’ says the stylist. ‘They were generally steeper at the back and used loads of texturing to create the layers. They had a punky, rebellious vibe to them. Today’s cropped bob has a more luxe look, with added weight around the bottom of the shape.’
Who Suits This Cut?
Anyone can give the cut a go, Neale tells us. ‘I’m a believer that the old mindset of particular styles and textures only working with certain body shapes is long dead,’ he says. ‘We have so much freedom to explore our personal style that this allows everyone to enter the world of short hair and find something that not only suits them technically, but matches their personality and individual style too.’
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How To Ask For A Crob In The Salon
A visual aid will go far in helping your stylist create this cut. ‘Remember to bring references for your stylist to understand the look you’re going for,’ advises Neale. ‘This will help guide the kind of vibe and direction you want your bob to go into, and not beyond that point. Ultimately you don’t want to enter the graduated or “stacked bob” style. That’s a completely different look.
‘The length isn’t fixed, but preferably the sweet spot for a crob is high on the nape of the neck,’ he continues. ‘With this look, you want to avoid super-solid, blunt lines, instead make sure the perimeter is soft. The key to this modern look is to use baggy, deconstructed layering to keep the weight low in the cut whilst removing weight and creating texture.’
How To Style A Crob
If it’s low-maintenance you’re after, this is the bob for you. As Neale notes for styling: ‘Air dry all the way. You want this look to be very natural and free so don’t put too much effort into it. Use a styling product to give the hair shine, moisture and control. If you want to polish it up a touch you can use tongs to create loose curls or waves – but just around the front and top. Then brush out with your hands to blend everything.’
What Next?
As for the future, Neale predicts even more nostalgia. ‘The only way this look can evolve now is by going backwards – which wouldn’t be a bad thing,’ he says. ‘This current iteration is very low and baggy compared to the 90s and 00s version. I prefer it, but some of the original cropped bobs were amazing because of the individuality they created.’
Hair Inspiration
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Featured image: London Fashion Week Street Style (c) Deborah Iona, British Fashion Council
