Team Bob has found itself a new rival. After 2025 was dominated by the fluffy and razored iterations of the favored short chop, the wolf cut is emerging as the next hairdo for those who want to make a statement, without working too hard to do so. Elegant and edgy, wispy and workable—the wolf cut is the 2026 cool girl chop.
“A wolf cut balances attitude with softness,” celebrity hairstylist Charlotte Mensah previously told Vogue. A hybrid mix of a retro shag and a mullet, it feels distinctive, fresh, and edgy, while being easily maintained and styled. Face framing layers blended throughout create a textured, choppy finish, and with a slightly lengthened silhouette and sharp angles, your hair then naturally gets some soft volume without much zhuzhing.
“I think this is a natural progression for those growing out their pixie,” explains hairstylist Linus Johansson of the cropped version of the wolf cut. “We saw a lot of bixies last year, and I think this would be the next step. It’s also a great haircut for those who want to try something a bit shorter—not quite as short as a mullet, but more textures than a bob.”
While the likes of Cara Delevingne and Billie Eilish are strong proponents of the shaggy and cool wolf cut, Miley Cyrus and Jenna Ortega offer up the more cropped and compact version. Cyrus’s ’70s rockstar-esque hair sits just below her jawline, with feathery bangs and texture across the crown that feels undone but intentional. Ortega’s take on the wolf cut shows its softer and more feminine side, sleek and cut to just about graze her shoulders. That’s how versatile this hairdo can be.
And while it is a bit of a statement, it’s a haircut that actually works for everyone, whether you have fine and straight hair, or thick and curly. “It’s a great way to build volume and texture for straighter and finer hair,” says Johansson. “Equally, it works great for wavy, curly, and textured hair to bring out more of the curls. I think what it comes down to is styling and products to make this work for you and your lifestyle.”
If you’re seriously considering the wolf cut for the next time you sit in the hair salon chair, it’s a good idea to save pictures of wolfy haircuts you like—prioritizing those with similar hair textures to your own. “I think clients still feel a little embarrassed about bringing pictures of haircuts to their hairstylist, but we love it!” says Johansson.
When styling your shiny, textural new wolf cut, having a star product that works well with your natural hair texture is tantamount to keep it looking defined and wolfy. If you have waves or curls, distribute a light curl cream through your hair so you can comb all of your layers into that effortlessly undone shape. If you have finer or straighter hair, boost your texture and volume by misting your crown and ends with a salt spray, drying it with a diffuser, and scrunching your hair as you go to amplify those lived-in layers.
Below, some more inspiration for those considering a short wolf cut—whatever your style, aesthetic, and hair texture.