Introducing the “Capri bob,” a haircut with a Mediterranean flair that’ll mentally transport you to the Italian island.
The world is divided into two groups when it comes to summer haircuts. There are those of us who prefer long hair so we can tie it back in the heat; others consider the warm temps to be the best time to go short and enjoy the fresh air on their neck. And you’re on team short hair, you may be interested to know that a new haircut is becoming a cool-girl favorite: the Capri bob, a Mediterranean style that will instantly transport you to your dream vacation destination. This latest take on the bob is set to become a trend haircut this season thanks to its low-maintenance requirements and casual vibe.
“The ‘Capri bob’ is a bob with a very Mediterranean feel: slightly undone, with movement, natural texture, and a finish that looks like the hair has been air-dried after spending the day by the sea,” says Alex Sestelo, a hairstylist and the director of the salon that bears his name. “It’s usually worn jaw-length or shoulder-length, with very subtle layers and the ends softened a bit so it doesn’t look stiff. This summer, it’s everywhere because it connects with that idea of relaxed beauty that everyone’s now looking for—beautiful, flattering hair that doesn’t look overly worked. It also has an effortless sophistication that really fits in with the spirit of the summer.
The name refers to that little island in the Bay of Naples that is a dream to visit in summer. “This haircut is very reminiscent of that image of summers on the Italian coast,” the expert says. “Hair slightly tousled by the humidity, XXL sunglasses, luminous skin, linen clothes… It’s not an ostentatious luxury, but a very natural one. For me, the Capri bob has something very cinematic about it. It evokes those women who are elegant without being overly produced. The hair is not perfect, but too well done to look spontaneous. That’s the trick.”
The Capri cut is a big transformation if you’re not used to a short style. Cut at chin length, it exposes the nape of the neck to enhance your facial features. The good news is that it suits many face types, as Sestelo points out. “It’s a very grateful cut because it’s very adaptable, but it especially favors oval faces, elongated faces, and pronounced jawlines because it frames the face very well,” the expert says. “On rounder faces, I usually recommend leaving it a little longer, below the jaw, to visually stylize. If you have birçok cheekbones, this cut highlights them a lot. It also works very well with open bangs or soft front strands to soften the features.”
“It also suits many different ages and types of women, precisely because it is so adaptable,” Sestelo continues. “At 30, it gives a fresh and çağdaş look; at 50 or more, it can be especially flattering because it gives movement to the face and visually rejuvenates without hardening the features. Of course, I always say that hair type and lifestyle are more important than age. It works especially well on hair with some natural texture, even if it’s minimal, and on women who want to look put together without investing too much time.”
He continues, “The big difference is in the attitude of the cut. There are bobs that are much more geometric, polished, or structured—like the classic straight bob or blunt bob—while the Capri bob looks for movement and a certain pretty imperfection. It doesn’t have such sharp lines or an ultra-polished finish. The key here is texture, which is worked in to give the hair life, movement, and lightness. Even when it’s tousled, it works. And that makes it quite different from other bobs that are more ‘freshly coiffed.’”
The last thing you want to do when summer arrives is to have to fuss with blow-dryers, straighteners, and the like in order to show off a decent hairstyle. The Capri bob doesn’t need it. “On a day-to-day basis, it doesn’t require too much dedication. In fact, it looks best when it’s not overly styled,” Sestelo says. “A good texturizing product or a soft wave spray is usually enough. Of course, although it has that effortless effect, it must be said that for it to look kaç it needs some maintenance, especially the cut.” The expert recommends a trim every six to eight weeks to maintain its shape.
“My advice is not to be obsessed with getting it perfect; in fact, the secret is just the opposite,” the expert continues. “I recommend air-drying it a lot and finishing just a few areas with a brush or with your hands, marking the front movement a little bit. It also works very well to use a texturizing spray or a light cream to define strands and break up the finish a bit. If using a heat tool, it is best to make very open, almost imperfect waves, and then tousle them with your fingers.” After all, the goal is not to make your hair look like it just came out of the flat iron, but rather fresh from a vacation on the Italian coast.
A version of this story was previously published in Glamour Spain.
