Who’s ripe for a refresh? Whether it’s a simple trim or a full-on transformation, there’s just something about a trip to the salon that can make you feel 10 feet tall. To help you gather a little inspo to show your stylist, we’ve rounded up the biggest hair trends of fall-winter 2023. Say goodbye to your withered summer ends and hello to a whole new you!
Tucked bob
Call it the Hailey Bieber effect. The model and skin care founder’s blunt bob was all over the runways this season, often styled exactly as she wears hers: sleek, straight and tucked behind the ears. Not ready for a snip? Don’t worry, the tucked hair trend was also spotted on a variety of lengths — perfect for showing off a fab pair of sculptural earrings.
Shades of red
Don’t tell Barbie, but it won’t be long before pink mania gives way to scarlet fever. In clothes, on lips and even in hair, red is gearing up to be fall’s it-colour. A slew of celebs have recently taken the crimson plunge — Emily Ratajkowski, Megan Fox, Riley Keough, even Chrissy Teigen for a hot minute — and so have models, sporting every shade imaginable, from fire engine to copper and burgundy.
Braids
Maybe it has to do with September’s eternal connection to back to school (no matter how long ago you graduated), but braids just feel right for fall, no? Not that they necessarily have to be all preppy and proper. From Wednesday Addams-style pigtails at Bora Aksu to romantic looks inspired by Greek statues at Dior and even a woven interpretation of Princess Leia’s famous ’do at Antonio Marras, the fall shows proved there’s a braid for everyone.
Purposely dishevelled locks were a huge trend this fashion month. At Miu Miu, models appeared to have braved particularly harsh winds, while at Yohji Yamamoto and Anteprima, it was as though stylists had staged an anti-hairbrush protest backstage. The idea here is to lean into imperfect texture — maybe even fake it a little — for a dash of insouciance.
Bows
It’s official: Black ribbons will be the hair accessory of the season. On the catwalks, pretty bows rendered in silk, velvet and tulle adorned many models’ strands, at times loosely looped around a low pony, at others neatly securing a prim coif. The trend was also a hit at this year’s Met gala, with the likes of Sydney Sweeney, Priyanka Chopra, Karlie Kloss and Camila Morrone (to name just a few) all topping their coifs with a ribbon.
Low bun
The chignon iterations may have varied — looped, twisted, knotted and even fashioned into a bow-like shape at Balmain — but there was certainly consensus on the placement: right at the base of the head. You’ve got to love how a low bun feels timelessly chic while coming in handy on days when shampoo just isn’t in the cards. That’s form and function for ya.
Curly bangs
There were all kinds of bangs on the catwalks, from blunt to piece-y to Michelle Pfeiffer-esque (i.e. paired with bob à la Elvira in Scarface), but the ones that made the biggest splash were all the fun textured ones. Wavy and curly fringes popped up everywhere, jauntily dressing up foreheads and framing eyes. At Dries Van Noten, hair master Sam McKnight even used extensions and a curling iron to fake the look.
Slicked back
You know what goes really well with a blazer? A fine-toothed comb and a hearty serving of gel. Just take it from the season’s runways. At shows like Saint Laurent, Tod’s and Brandon Maxwell, fall’s suiting trend was teamed up with glossy, slicked back strands that definitely meant business. It’s giving Michael Douglas in Wall Street in the best way possible.
Brooches
Bows weren’t the only hair accessory on display this season. Brooch-like barrettes were also seen jazzing up locks — whether it was camellias gathering up ripples at Chanel or starbursts sparkling above each ear at Eudon Choi (Is it too early to start thinking about holiday looks?). Now you know what to do with those vintage brooches your great-grandma gave you.
Side-parts
Look, we’re not saying middle parts are out, but their asymmetric counterparts are undoubtably having a moment. At Acne and Rokh, hairstylists picked sides, leaving strands to seductively cover one eye. Over at Fendi and Vivetta, the pros took things one step further, sweeping hair across the forehead for a little early aughts side-bang action.
Katherine Lalancette is the beauty and lifestyle director of The Kit. She writes about beauty and trends. Reach her on email at kl@thekit.ca or follow her on Twitter: @kik_tweets
