Having fun with a French bob hairstyle is ageless. It’s ideal for women in their 70s, as this timeless and versatile cut can be tailored to any face shape and hair texture. When it comes to French bob styles, whether you desire a polished, sleek look or prefer one that celebrates your hair’s natural texture, these French bob styles will inspire you to make a change and empower you at any age.
Due to the lack of depth based on the incorrectly assumed that the French bob is merely a youthful cut in a Parisian style, this timeless cut has not been given the recognition it deserves. It best suits women who’ve had enough life experience to really earn their face. One of my favorite clients walked in one day at the age of seventy-three with a picture of Brigitte Macron with the request to “get that look, but less political.” Hers was a chin length French bob with some internal texture, and she appeared near a decade younger without any effort to try and look youthful. That look is exactly what this haircut is designed for; it meets you where you are. The flattering lengths and versatile shapes are wonderful at incorporating messiness. The best French bobs that I’ve seen are on women who have enough confidence in their style to not be overly fussy about the ends. I absolutely love these styles on women in their seventies. I will tell you honestly which of the references are worthy of the effort and which are merely aesthetically pleasing.
#1: Silver Bob with Soft Layers That Actually Do Something
Layers can be hit or miss, but these are right on the money. They frame your face and highlight your cheekbones without being too much. The modern touch here is the collarbone length. If it were longer, it would definitely be a more dated look. If your hair is fine, this is great because it will stay soft and full and won’t need to be styled every day. I also love the root shadow. It adds so much depth and keeps the color from looking flat in pictures. The cut looks like it will be low maintenance, but to keep the shape you’ll probably want to come in every 6 weeks for a trim.
#2 Golden Layered Bob with Easy Movement
This haircut is extremely easy to wear. It has soft layers that move with you. It has golden highlights that brighten up your face without over powering your natural color. You can wash this haircut, let it air dry and put a dab of styling cream in it and walk out the door. You will still feel great. The length and the layering of this haircut will give you a great look without looking like a helmet. If you want to keep the blonde color, the color will need upkeep every five to six weeks to keep it from going brassy. If that is something you want to consider, there is no brassy going bold. The cut is great and modern without looking too trendy.
#3 Deep Brunette Bob with a Quiet Curve
At this age, a dark brown shade is stunning, especially with her warm complexion. The shade gives a richness that gray can sometimes dilute. The cut’s curvature is soft enough to frame without being too restrictive. Especially with round or square jaws, this works because it doesn’t compete with the shape of the face. With the fullness, you will appreciate not having to do a lot of styling. The coloring tradeoff will be that dark brunette shows gray faster than blonde. So you will also have to do root touch ups every four weeks to keep it looking intentional.
#4 Natural Curls in a French Bob
If you have natural curls, don’t fight it. This is how your hair looks when you are able to be free and in the hands of a good French bob; it looks effortless and alive, and even polished. no blowout necessary! The bob is cut just above the jawline so you have space for your curls to spring up without looking too poofy. This style frames the face best on people with stronger features. This style adds softness to the whole look. The right curl-defining cream will help you stay frizz-free even in the humidity. The length of the cut means you will not have to do a lot of maintenance to keep the look throughout the life of the cut. This style is probably one of my favorite styles on this list.
#5 Chestnut Tousle with Soft Framing
This style is super forgiving which is nice. The soft waves give a gentle touch to the face, and with the draping technique adds focus to the cheek bones and eyes, rather than adding focus to areas you don’t want to. If your hair is a bit on the thinner side, the layering helps in creating the illusion of fullness with less hair. Chestnut is a warm color that goes with a wider selection of skin tones, so if you are unsure about color options, it is a safe choice. The only thing I would suggest is a volumizing mousse for the humid days where everything is flat, but other than that this style is pretty low-maintenance.
#6 Layered Bob That Lets Gray Do the Work
This hairstyle displays confidence and does not need validation from others. The longer roots provide additional depth, and the subtle layers in combination with the jawline elongation is fantastic! This cut is nice and breathable if you have a good amount of hair because the layers lighten the hair while still keeping the weight. The ends curl quite easily with a round brush when blow drying, and an air dry with some messy tussle looks great as well. If you have a lot of hair and lots of curls, you will need to get trims every 4-5 weeks because this style does the majority of the work for you.
#7 Silver Bob with Gentle Waves
The hair that rests just above the shoulders is more interesting with a wave. The silver color looks beautiful and helps the color feel intentional and not accidental. With this type of wave, your hair will look voluminous if you have finer hair and will not require too much product. The length is practical because it is long enough to pulled back if you want to but is short enough to not become a project. To avoid the silver turning yellow, I recommend purple shampoo. To hold the waves, regular trims will be needed. Other than that, it is low maintenance.
#8 Raven Black Bob with Clean Lines
This haircut is very daring and the waves in the hair make a stiff, straight look more suitable for people with more defined and angular features. Straight hair that is medium to thick density will lay nicely with minimal amounts of effort. Wavy and curly hair will require consistent blowouts or straightening in order to maintain this look and be very sleek. The haircut and color is a great combination, but the very dark hair can be unforgiving in certain lights and is not great for all skin tones so be honest with the stylist about the color and how it looks on you.
#9 Asymmetrical Chocolate Bob
I believe this is exactly how it should be done. The soft asymmetry is unique but not distracting enough to be the only thing people notice about the hair. It sits perfectly in the zone of being a little warm and natural chocolate color to just being a color. This will be easy for you if your hair is medium density and straight. The shape will require maintenance for the asymmetry to be intentional and not just like you’ve missed a trim, so if you get your hair done once every few months, it’s probably not a good option for you.
#10 Silver Layered Bob with a Modern Edge
I really respond to the nice understated elegance of this cut. The details aren’t too over the top for framing the face, and the subtle asymmetry gives it a modern look without being too editorial. I really like how this length is flattering on finer hair because it creates thickness illusion at and around the ears. The natural grey means you aren’t tied to a colouring schedule, which saves time and money. I would say you probably want trims every four to five weeks for the clean lines to stay sharp, but there’s not a lot of daily styling to do. I would say this is definitely recommended for someone with a round or heart shaped face.
#11 Chestnut Bob with Highlights That Lift
The face-framing highlights are doing their job and providing warmth and drawing the attention upwards to the features and avoiding that overly highlighted look that can age a person. The length is jawline length which gives a bit of a lift and the chestnut base is rich enough to feel solid. This style is quick, and no one wants to spend twenty minutes in front of a mirror. If you are outdoors a lot, remember that the sun and chestnut highlights are not the best combination so a UV protection spray will be a good idea. Other than that, this is a good practical option that feels good and still polished.
#12 Midnight Bob with Sharp Edges
I appreciate how neat and intentional this cut looks, and the deep black shade adds to the aesthetic. The blunt ends frame the face to temp showcase face shapes, which some softer cuts don’t do. This may depend on what you want. To be honest, a color this dark at this age may highlight fine lines, particularly on lighter skin tones, so it tends to be more flattering on warmer or deeper skins. If your hair is naturally straight, you’ll love how little effort this takes. If it’s not, then maintaining this level of sleekness is a real commitment.
#13 White Bob with Feathered Lightness
The feathery layers here are doing the trick for fine hair! They create volume without the weight. And the collarbone length is just long enough to feel like you have enough hair to work with, but not long enough to drag everything down. Plus, that white color is stunning! It brightens the face in a way that softer grays don’t. With keeping a bright white it is high maintenance since you will need regular root touch ups as it grows in plus toning appointments to keep it bright. Even though the cut is low maintenance, this color will be high maintenance.
#14 Chestnut French Bob with Strong Framing
There is a reason why this is a classic style. The chin-length cut gives you volume where you need it, as well as soft layers to frame your face without overshadowing your features. Do you have thicker hair? No problem! The weight of the hair is evenly distributed throughout the cut so nothing is bottom heavy. The chestnut shade is a bit rich, but not overly bold so it just looks like nice hair. Want to add some curls or waves? It may take some effort as the thicker hair will resist, but it looks great worn straight or even with just a little bend at the ends to keep it elegant and effortless.
#15 Silver Bob with Clean Ends
Your cut and color look amazing on you! You’ve got some nice, clean, and modern silver tones as well as some cool jawline lengths and gentles around the cheeks. I also like your hair being slightly textured while letting your fine hair be fine. If your hair is thin, this cut will be honest for you. Regular toning will keep the silver nice and crisp and you will need to come for trims every five weeks or so to keep the ends looking intentional. You will also want to come every five weeks to keep the overall length nice and fresh.
#16 Light Blonde Bob with Soft Bangs
The bangs are the most crucial detail of this style because they really soften the look and add an extra finished quality to the cut that the bob would be missing without bangs. Chin length bobs suit nearly everyone, and the light blonde will definitely add some brightness to the skin. At this age, this can actually make you look more rested, which is nice. This isn’t a wash-and-go color though as blonde is very high maintenance, meaning you will have to go to the salon frequently for tonal and root touch up maintenance to keep it looking fresh. The cut is low maintenance, but the color is the exact opposite.
#17 Deep Brown Bob with Feathered Bangs
This style would work best for someone who has thick, straight hair. The deep brown color is stunning, and with the ends all one length and lightly feathered bangs, the look is no fuss. I think the simplicity is very appealing. I would say most styles with a blunt cut and single color will not work as well with fine or curly hair. This style needs that straightness and fullness, but if you have that hair, it’s a great option that is still somewhat of a style.
#18 Silver Bob with Soft Roundness
This is a good cut, and for me, it is in the best sense. Falling just above the shoulders and having rounding edges, it is good for softer features. The natural silver color gives it a lightness that I find really appealing. It is versatile enough to dress up or down and I appreciate that the shape holds well between appointments. Considering the lighter shade can pick up yellowing from the environment, good purple shampoo used once a week helps with that. It requires very little effort, while still looking like you care about your hair.
#19 Textured Waves with Natural Volume
This layered bob is a perfect chop to gain a quick new style that will give you a chic sense and also help your natural wavy (medium to thick) hair work for instead of against it. Since the waves are natural, it makes it easy for you to not have to worry about daily styling. The brunette tone will help warm up your brunette shades and also tone down some color without changing it too much. The style will need minimal product, if you want to add something, just a little oil on the ends will do the trick. It is a very low maintenance style and will take you much less effort compared to other styles.
#20 Platinum French Bob with Subtle Texture
This chin-length blunt cut is also a beautiful platinum blonde. It has personality from light texturing, rather than from overly complicated layers. With thin hair, this is a very smart approach. Texture will create fullness without having to build it with products every day. The platinum color is beautiful but obviously demanding. It has to be toned regularly to stay bright. If you’re not keeping up with trims, the ends will quickly look tired. You will need to maintain the color, but there is very little styling commitment. Many women see this as a worthwhile trade-off.
#21 Auburn Bob with Relaxed Waves
The soft waves add character and create personality on their own without needing any styling. The rich and warm auburn color is really nice. Length above the shoulders is practical and flattering and the waves help add volume for varying hair densities. Most of the time, the cut will work with you. I would suggest a lightweight wave-enhancing spray for those days when your hair is uncooperative.
#22 Copper Layered Bob
You clearly made a bold choice and that’s great! Some women may shy away from copper but on the right skin tone, copper is beautiful. If you have a lighter and warmer complexion, then you can step away from the gray rut. The layers will give fine hair some volume and the short will keep it all manageable. Just a warning that copper will be one of the quickest colors to fade so you will have to go to the salon to maintain the color often. If that doesn’t bother you, then this is a great choice!
#23 Charcoal Rounded Bob
The rounded cut and charcoal color provide a sort of effortless sophistication to the style. The length is flattering on most, and the dark color is playful rather than heavy due to the layering. The style suits medium to thick hair best as it really showcases your volume; fine hair will take a little more work to achieve the same look, i.e. some root lifting spray and purposeful blow drying.
#24 Textured French Bob with Soft Bangs
This is the length that is most suitable for a polished look without a ton of maintenance. The soft layering in the back is great for adding some volume to finer hair. Additionally, having soft bangs is a great way to frame the face and draw attention to the eyes without being thick and heavy. Lastly, this length falls just above the shoulders, so it looks great with little to no effort. If you want the look to be more casual, I would suggest using a light texturizing spray. Even without the spray, a lot of soft structure will hold without being stiff.
#25 Tapered Gray Bob
The grey bob’s soft taper adds a pleasant, natural touch. It is nice and so is the grey hair. The subtle layers give fine hair a bit of volume without weighing it down. By deciding to keep your hair natural, you have eliminated the largest maintenance requirement. The shape will require upkeep, especially if you have mixed textures in your hair, as the taper can start to look uneven. The daily styling will be simple and there is something really nice about a well cut grey bob that has just been left to be.
#26 Chestnut French Bob with Internal Layers
The goal is for the cut to look effortless, and it does! The subtle internal layering creates volume in fine hair without the layers externally obvious, so it really looks like hair that is just thick and healthy. The chestnut color is rich and low maintenance because it is close to the natural color, so after three weeks, roots won’t scream at you. The cut sits just above the shoulders and softly frames the cheekbones in a flattering way. This is the type of cut that I suggest for women who want to feel refreshed, but don’t want it to be obvious to anyone what exactly has changed.
#27 Layered Bob with Bangs That Move
Having soft bangs is great because they won’t create a harsh straight line across your forehead while blunt bangs are particularly harsh with fine hair. The way the layers of hair are blended adds so much movement to the mid-lengths without leaving the ends feeling thin. Keeping the length sitting just above the shoulders with the overall haircut gives a nice fresh feel. This haircut works best with angular face shapes because the softness in the layers balances out any strong jawlines and cheekbones. You’ll definitely want to keep up with trims since the bangs will grow into your eyes but the rest of the look won’t need much maintenance aside from a quick blow dry.
#28 Soft Waves with Quiet Layering
The gentleness in this haircut is very appealing to me. The layers are just enough to alter the shape of the style, and the waves look effortless. I appreciate that the haircut is designed to work with the way the hair dries instead of against it. This is ideal for people with fine hair because the waves create the appearance of extra volume while the layers break up that one-length flat look that most fine hair has. A sea salt spray can be great for days when the hair isn’t cooperating and helps to keep the waves defined.
#29 Classic Bob with Straight Bangs
A chin-length bob with straight bangs is a unique style that only works for a certain type of person. You need to be comfortable being bold, as this is quite the haircut. The nice thing about fine hair is that it retains shape without getting too bulky. It looks great on oval face shapes, and for rounder shapes. I would hesitant as the straight bangs can make the face look wider. Bangs are the most high maintenance part of the cut, needing trimming every three to four weeks. Otherwise the cut looks unintentional.
#30 Curly Bob with Choppy Layers
The cut is playful yet still straightforward about what it is. Choppy layering enhances the curls while adding joyful volume and energetic texture. The soft bangs frame the face without competing for attention. Fine and medium textured hair will benefit from the body that curls give the hair over a straight cut. I think this cut works best on round or oval shaped faces. You’ll need a curl cream to define the curls (this will not be a slick style). If that’s your usual style, it probably isn’t your direction. However, for those looking to add a little pizazz to their hair, this does it.
#31 Silver Bob with Front Highlights
Front highlights on this silver bob are perfectly positioned around the face. This placement captures light and draws focus to the face. With the fine to medium hair, chin length layering provides just the right volume without going into the territory of over styled. What I love about this cut is that the highlights do most of the visual work so styling can be kept simple. As the layers grow, they will need upkeep to keep them from looking shapeless. Everything will stay in check with a round brush blow dry once or twice a week.
#32 Choppy Bob with Soft Bangs
Choppy layers give fine hair great movement and the bangs stop the style from looking too messy. A length that is just above the jawline looks youthful without *too* much youthful chasing. This style is easy to live with but does require a bit more maintenance – probably every five weeks to keep the choppy layers from losing their definition. If you have an oval or heart-shaped face, this will suit you nicely. It is not an overly dramatic style but there is enough texture and movement to keep it interesting.
#33 Textured Bob with Bangs, No Fuss
The texture here is the best it could be. It creates volume and movement without making the cut too busy. The bangs look and sit nice; I prefer them not looking too styled. For fine and medium hair, this is an ideal mid-length option, and the layering is subtle enough to give body to the hair so that you aren’t reaching for volumizing products every morning. It will bring out the best in oval and heart-shaped faces. The shape will last with trims every five to six weeks, but in between appointments, most will find this a wash-and-go sort of style.
#34 Silver Bob with Rounded Edges
Like all bob cuts, this one features soft edges. Rather than creating bold lines that clash, these edges soften the features of the face. Silver hair is a modern look, while the mid-length gives styling options without it being high-maintenance. This style is perfect for medium to fine hair. It creates the ideal volume without being overdone or weighed down. With this haircut, you will require a trim every four to five weeks to keep the edges looking alive. Otherwise, it is a trim that is simple to wear and elegant to show off every day.
#35 Chocolate Bob with Soft Curls Around the Face
The curls offer a delicate touch around the face that is very flattering while the chocolate hue is deep and luxurious without the weight. This chin length cut has good structure, the layers boost movement and aren’t just there. Bangs and medium hair types will get some bounce and body from this that a straight cut wouldn’t. Thicker hair types may find that the curls give more volume than they want, so if that’s your hair type, discuss with your stylist how the layers are cut. A curl enhancing mousse will keep the curls defined all day.
#36 Silver Bob with Feathered Layers
If you want a hairstyle that’s both soft and structured, feathered layers with silver hair are perfect. The middle length cut just above the shoulders allows fine hair to stay free flowing while holding the cut’s structure. The addition of feather layers on the softer side makes this cut especially good on the face. This is one of the styles that is meant to look like it isn’t styled too well. A bit of natural movement is very important to this look. Typically, the right amount is a bit of mousse, and that is applied to damp hair before air drying. To avoid too much wispy feathering, trims should be done once every 5-6 weeks.
#37 Textured Bob with Feathered Ends
The feathers on the ends of the hair will keep the look from being too dull or heavy while also adding movement through the layers of texture, allowing this cut to work with any face shape without needing specific styling. This cut will also give fine hair a nice light finish, airy, and effortless look. For coarser hair, consider how often you’ll be willing to thin it out, because the feathering will lose its functionality if there is too much weight. One of the best things about this cut is that you can wear it smooth or tousled depending on your mood, and I really appreciate that.
#38 Soft Curled Bob with Gentle Volume
The bob’s end curls are just the right amount to give it an interesting look, without making the style seem like you spent 45 minutes doing it. It also sits perfect just below the jawline to soften some of the angular features. With this being medium density, and a natural wave, this style has a good foundation to work from. I would consider this a good option for anyone who wants to feel a bit more put together than what a straight bob can offer, and before they start going into styles that are going to be really high maintenance. It also means that restyling those end curls, whether that be with a curling iron, or from sleeping in some loose braids, won’t be a daily requirement for you.
#39 Curled Layered Bob with Textured Ends
This style has soft layers and textured ends to create a clean look. For fine and medium hair types, volume can be added with curls and layering. Unlike a blunt cut, a blunt cut will allow the curls to sit freely rather than resting at the bottom. Particularly, this style works well in the case of heart and oval face shapes. To keep the curls defined, they will require some maintenance. Therefore, if you enjoy spending a few minutes on a routine in the morning, this is a great style, but takes a few days to look bad.
#40 Gray Bob with Wispy Bangs and Gentle Waves
The soft wispy bangs add some nice softness to the forehead and help keep the look open and approachable. The light, natural waves at the ends of the hair look great for the hair’s fine to medium density and natural gray color means no color upkeep! This look is especially flattering on round and heart-shaped faces. Fine hair can get a little dry, especially on the second day, and some dry volumizing shampoo may be needed to keep the shape. Other than that, this hairstyle is pretty low maintenance!
#41 Short Bob with Blunt Bangs
The structured cut is designed to look that way, and the blunt bangs along with shorter lengths offer clean and intentional framing, which is especially striking on oval and heart face shapes. As for the smooth finish, it does mean you will need to flat iron your hair to create a smooth look, so be honest with yourself about how much work you are willing to put in. The bangs will need a trim every 3 to 4 weeks regardless, but other than that, this is a clean style that will be low maintenance and will hold its shape well between trims. Overall, it is a clean style and the bangs will need work every three to four weeks, no two ways about it.
#42 Softly Textured Bob Below the Chin
This hairstyle provides a look that is neat and clean. A subtle side-part with wavy texture looks great and avoids any extreme styling choices. The length that falls just above the chin is usually flattering to most face shapes. The fine texture and soft waves are both natural and lived-in. Keeping those waves will likely require a little bit of styling. Whether it’s a quick curling iron pass or just some scrunched waves in damp hair, the look will likely take very little effort to achieve. It’s a great compliment when people assume that no styling was necessary and the look was just how you were born.
#43 Gray Bob with a Subtle Fringe
My mom used to have a cute gray bob hairstyle with a fringe that I liked a lot. It is a versatile hairstyle because it can easily go with any outfit and it isn’t boring. I think this look is perfect for fine and straight hair because it is not too bulky. I also think this length is great for round or oval-shaped faces because it looks flattering, and the fringe helps to soften your forehead without drawing too much attention. I think if you want to keep the fringe out of your eyes, and so it helps to keep the hairstyle neat and tidy, you would have to go for a trim every four to five weeks. Overall, I would say the hairstyle doesn’t require a lot of effort.
#44 Soft Bob with Delicate Waves
This medium-length hairstyle is great for fine to medium hair. The chin-length cut looks good on everyone. The soft, light waves also help bring some originality to the cut so it doesn’t look dull. The correct styling can achieve this and the soft layers give the hair more volume without too much visual distraction. The waves will also frame the face beautifully, especially on oval and heart face shapes. Waves do stay put once styled, so they may require some effort to style, but after the initial effort there shouldn’t be too much to do throughout the day. There isn’t much to complain about with this hairstyle. It works like it is supposed to and that is all the more reason to love it.
#45 Textured Bob with Wispy Bangs
The soft bang wisps here, ease up the whole cut, as well as the shoulder length, keeping it feeling current at all times. Thin hair here is made to look more lively with the added layers. More movement, and more dimension, which is something that one length hair at this density can not achieve. This provides the opportunity to play with thin hair more. I think this cut works with round and oval face shapes, as the bangs break up the forehead and the length helps to elongate the face. To keep the bangs and layers defined, trims are going to need to be done regularly, around every 5 weeks, but the good news is that daily styling is super easy.
#46 A-Line Bob with Subtle Highlights
I love the added geometry the A-line shape gives. It brings a clean line along the jaw since it is longer in the front and shorter at the back. The soft highlights offer warmth and contrast without looking like a full colour job. They work best fine to medium hair density since they create the illusion of added volume. It usually requires some styling cream to define the shape and because the A-line shape stands up well between trims you get a little more mileage out of each appointment. With longer front pieces, this shape is good for slimming effects on round and oval shaped faces.
#47 Textured Bob with a Little Bounce
The soft layers keep fine hair looking healthy and full. The jaw length layers give volume and framing to oval and heart shaped faces. Subtle highlights brighten the face in a natural way, like you’ve been spending time in good light, instead of a salon chair. It does need trims to keep the shape because layers this length tend to look shapeless around 6 weeks but day to day styling is really simple. I would say this is a cut that earns it’s keep.
#48 Feathered Bob with Easy Volume
Feathered edges on this bob remove bulk and shape the hair using movement to soften the look without needing product or a lot of styling. Shoulder length bobs are easy to manage and look great. Soft layers add volume to thinner hair without the look of being heavy handed with styling products, which is a key factor. This cut is best for round and oval face shapes. To maintain the look of the feathers, you will need to come in every 5 weeks for a trim, but this is a low maintenance style in the short term.
#49 Textured Bob with Bangs and Movement
I like the feel of this design. The soft bangs and layered texture create an organized yet soft vibe. It is great to have the shoulder length cut versatility across different environments without needing a change in style. The layers give fine hair a lot of volume, and the added texture provides more dimension than a smooth one length cut. Keeping that fresh choppy look will need regular trims, and weekly treatments will maintain the texture and shine between appointments.
#50 Modern Bob with Face-Framing Bangs
This bang hairstyle is perfect for round and square faces, as it adds shape and softens the more noticeable characteristics of your face. Haircuts that are shoulder length and slightly above are also very practical, and the soft layers add shape to fine hair without the added weight of a bulk and are perfect for this style. This hairstyle has so much versatility. You can wear it blown out and straight for a clean and polished look, or you can use a curling iron and add waves for a more textured look. Both styles can appear as if a lot of time and effort was put into them when in reality they can be a bit of a nuisance. With that much effort required to manage the style, it is great to have the versatility with a haircut you will wear every day.
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