can we discuss bobs and what makes them frumpy

[PigOnStilts]

I wrote a massive post about bobs.
It disappeared into the ether.

This is my second, more concise attempt.

want a bob.
but not a frumpy mum bob.
what IS a frumpy mum bob?
I do not want a frumpy bob
I am 42 and live in adidas and have a big bum. I can't afford a frumpy do!

Is it too layered ie wispy and ageing?
Too structured?
Too helmety like dawn OPorter?
I want a graduated bob without any layer (see attached)

What's happening these days in terms of bobs??

7/8 weeks between cuts is very much the norm for a proper bob IME.

Can I ask what makes a long bob a bob?

That pic further up just looks like shoulder length hair to me. I thought 'bobbed' meant cut short?

What makes it a bob if it's long?

I can't have any layers at all Troll as it goes all wispy, flyaway and bleurgh . I envy all of you who have a bit of a wave and body. Every stylist who has ever done my hair say it's the straightest they have ever seen.
I bought a curling wand and achieved some fab beachy waves in the bedroom - by the time I'd got downstairs to show DH they had completely dropped and I had a tiny, shite-looking kink. That was with a shitload of product too.

MumBod, I think originally (1920s) the bob was a jaw length, same length cut. Now it seems to be any length, as long as it's the same length all round (even if it's got a few layers cut in iyswim)...

I have a lot of fine very straight hair. And don't even say the word 'layer' to me. I've had a variation of a bob since I was 2.

I know spiney I am really starting to accept my hair type - after 45 years. The upshot is that it gleams despite being blonde grey . The downside is it must be washed and styled every day to look nice, it can only be one length and must be blunt. Good job I am loving my new bob.

I've got a Pob style Bob which works perfectly on my thick hair. It's really sharp, razored into the neck and not too long at the front (just on the jaw). I think it looks great and I reject the frumpy label. So there!

Sorry to hijack but can I have opinions please.....is my bob frumpy?? This is my attempt at beach waves but the only problem Is it looks like shite from the back cos I can't do it!

As far as I can make out, 'bob' means 'hairstyle'.

What does non bobbed hair look like?

So 'bob' means 'all one length'?

I think a frumpy bob is one that has that distinct curl under effect. Or the curl out actually.

By perfect do you mean styled to within an inch of its life? I make sure I point the nozzle on my hairdryer down the hair shaft to get shine but use minimal product so my hair has lots of movement - no one wants a stiff do.

Yes that's what I mean. Mine is straight today but the ends are blunt not all curled under.

susannahmoodie, that's lovely and nicely done. Not at all frumpy. I have a choppy bob. There are so many styles of Bob to choose from, bit I'm not keen on the fringe and curled under bob.

I have a Lauren Conrad style bob - love it, easy to style and I don't feel frumpy.

Can't have long hair as my hair is too fine and gets straggly if grown too long.

I love pixie cuts but got fed up with having to get these cut every 4-6 weeks.

Frumpy Bob

I have hair all the same length all round. It's between chin and shoulder- does this mean I have a bob? I never knew this- thought bobs were ear length.

Don't like those inverted Bob cuts, I imagine they look immaculate in the hairdressers and are a nightmare to maintain.

Bob is above collar bone , but beneath earlobes. Lobs brush the top of the shoulders. Also called a "midi" for mid length
Susannah, you have a great lob, I love loose curls and sleek bangs !

Susannah you have Christina Hendricks bob to a tee. Looks brilliant. You're not her are you?

Ha I wish!

I have reddish blonde, fine but plenty of it, prone-to frizz hair and my last bob with a mess...hated it. I'm growing it so I can get this style (no idea how it looks from the front or back...only have a side-on pic). Not sure what to ask for to ensure hairdresser does it the same!
Is it mumsy? I'm 42.
i.pinimg.com/736x/b3/b3/96/b3b3965dd0ed4673ff04e84b7799a415--hair-color-for-bob-haircuts-bob-haircut--short.jpg

I have a bob and it suits me, always get compliments on it when I can be bothered to go to the hairdresser Mine is a blunt cut but not curled in with a fringe and graduated slightly. I'd love to try a more messy look with it but it's that thick and seems to hold no notion of curl.

Jodi Balfour in Rellik has a nice bob.

A bob where it's cut very short in the back and then it graduates to two severe sharp points is very frumpy in my opinion.
It looks very dated . (like issomeroveryet's photo)
Sorry summer!

Inverted Bobs was the word I was looking for.

You always see women of a certain age wearing them. They are too neat and frumpy

I have a lot of wavy unmanageable hair and thanks to my wonderful hairdresser I have a bob that air dries to look good and not like a mad fright wig.

It has to be chipped out in a random fashion to take some weight out and not be blunt at all on the ends, but it works. I get it cut every ten weeks. It's actually a lot easier to manage than my previously very long hair.

I went to a trendy hairdressers after a messy/choppy bob. I've got thick hair with a bit of a wave. Not sure how they did it but it doesn't look mumsy! It's a bit shorter at the back and the two front pieces are longer, with a side fringe (I look AWFUL with a full fringe). I'm definitely at a point now where I just can't be bothered to have loads of hair, and yet I'm only 26 and don't have any DC!