The Wolf Cut is Making a Comeback—11 Shaggy, Structured, and Timeless Variations to Experiment With in 2026

      It's well known that the most impactful beauty trends, regardless of their divisiveness, often make a comeback after around 20 years. Consider crimped waves (like Margot Robbie in Wuthering Heights), frosted Y2K eye makeup and lips, and even—surprisingly—2016 makeup styles. However, when it comes to cyclical trends, hair takes the lead. For example, mullets, shags, and their trendy mix, the wolf cut, have all returned. Celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Keke Palmer, and Cara Delevingne have embraced this look, which remains a favored option for those drawn to androgynous styles or simply looking to refresh their hair. The wolf cut has transitioned from being just a trend to becoming a classic staple. We witnessed this shaggy style surge in popularity from 2022 to 2024, and although it's no longer the latest buzz, it continues to thrive in salons and on the streets. Celebrity hairstylist and salon owner Benjamin Mohapi, who was responsible for Billie Eilish's iconic cut, remarks that the wolf is simply a new term for a style that has existed since the late '60s and early '70s. This isn't the first appearance of the style; we just enjoy rebranding. "It has gone by many names over the years— coupe sauvage, Klute, and shag—but they all share the same foundational concept," he clarifies.

      “Because the shape suits many people, it naturally stays in style,” Mohapi adds. “But as trends evolve, so too must the shape.” Continue reading to discover more about this emerging classic.

      "The wolf cut is a blend of a shag and a mullet, merging the shag's heavy, choppy layers with the longer back and form of a mullet," explains Christine Bellemare, a Boston-based stylist and co-founder of the salon Maven, A Collect. It typically features extreme layers that create a tousled texture throughout the crown and around the face, along with a few bangs; however, contemporary versions are slightly softer and more deliberate. Mohapi notes that "texture and flippy, tapered ends" were the style's hallmark during its peak between 2022 and 2024. "Currently, we're shifting towards sturdier shapes with less tapered ends and minimal flicky movement," he explains. He cites The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards and Danish model Freja Beha Erichsen circa 2010; we think of Suki Waterhouse's longer, flowing style and Jenna Ortega's choppy cut. "People are either allowing the shape to grow out for a more buoyant '80s vibe or trimming it back into a boxier '90s Britpop style," he elaborates. "Both options are incredibly stylish and offer a modern interpretation of the concept."

      However, there are numerous shag-inspired cuts to consider—from curly textures to rock-influenced styling and fringy bangs. Keep scrolling for images you'll soon be presenting to your hairstylist.

      **Wolf Cut Style Inspiration in 2026**

      **The Suki Shag**

      Waterhouse’s long, whimsical '70s-inspired wolf cut embodies classic rock-star hair. "With longer hair, the layers don’t need to be excessively bold," says Bellemare. "It’s more about placing them slightly shorter than usual in a soft, diffused manner." She also emphasizes that this cut is perfect for summer, as it allows natural texture and curls to flow more freely rather than feeling heavy as blunt cuts can.

      **Curly Wolf**

      Curly textures look stunning with this fringy cut. Take content creator Veronica Campos’s curly wolf cut as an example; her hair is clipped short above the forehead while cascading longer past her ears into voluminous spirals. Not only does this refined style appear more effortless than previous wolf cuts, but it also celebrates natural texture.

      **Effortless Shag**

      Mohapi highlights Beha Erichsen's shaggy cut from 2010 as a modern benchmark for wolf cut references today. "[It] feels like a contemporary take, despite being a retro reimagining of a classic cut," he notes. "While long, flicky, glossy blowouts are trending now, those flicky ends don’t translate as well on shorter styles and can come off as somewhat dated. A more solid shape with texture feels more refreshed and modern."

      **Wavy Bangs**

      Delevingne has consistently been on our "hair goals" list, but her recent post features the style we're showing our hairstylists. Her sweeping bangs embrace her hair’s natural waves before flowing into her beachy, cascading tresses—a perfect summer look in our opinion.

      **Wispy Wolf**

      Ciara Miller’s wispy bangs represent one of her most impressive styles, and this piecey look is a wonderful way to experiment with a baby wolf cut without fully committing. Request wispy curtain bangs that graze your eyelids and seamlessly