The Hottest Haircut Trends For Fall 2026

Now the heat of summer is almost over and the leaves are preparing to hit the ground, it's time for a fresh new haircut to carry you through the colder months. And, lucky for us, fall 2026 is jampacked with hot hair trends that will have you looking super stylish as you hit the pumpkin patch, enjoy a Thanksgiving feast, and toast something tasty around a campfire. Even luckier? Much like with fall 2026's comfortable fashion trends, when we say there's something for everyone this season, we mean it. 

You're covered if you want to welcome the last few months of the year with a super short, practical and choppy cut (hello, pixie!). But you're also covered if you prefer a throwback inspired 'do with plenty of volume (hi, high-volume long hair!). Equally, no matter if you have a thick and curly mane or thin and straight strands, fall 2026's versatile hair trends may just ensure you get one of the most flattering haircuts of your life.

Bangs aren't exactly summer appropriate, because hair over your sweaty forehead in the hot sun isn't  conducive to looking chic. But, now fall's here, things have changed and bangs are totally in. "A fringe or bang can make you looked styled and undone at the same time. Meaning, you can just style your bangs and pull your hair up to look chic," Eric Marshall Wright, owner of Eric Marshall Salon in Nashville, exclusively tells Women.com. That means this trend is perfect if you're looking for a simpler style, because there are plenty of low-maintenance bang styles to try.

If you're looking to be bang on trend though (pun intended), Marshall Wright tells us fuller bangs are the way to go. "They look intentional," he explains, noting overly wispy bang styles like the ones that trended in 2023 can sometimes be too light to look deliberate. "For a softer, full look, tell your stylist to point cut the ends to give softness," he adds. 

Other things to keep in mind when cutting bangs in fall 2026? "Keep hairline, cowlicks, and recession mindful as bangs can have a mind of their own and also style them first as they can be difficult as the dry on their own," Marshall Wright says. Don't let that put you off if you have curly locks or hair that's harder to tame though, just keep in mind that your bangs may take a little more time to get right in the morning. Try using a round brush, such as the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium 1.3" Boar Bristle Round Hair Brush or the AIMIKE NaturaVol Round Brush, for faster bang styling with volume.

Eric Marshall Wright also tells us that '60s-esque long hair with high-volume and natural texture will be hot this fall. "Think lived-in layers where hair looks effortless and moves. Layers can be as short as your collar bone so you can easily put it up, but this is more about wearing it down and long-styled," he tells Women.com, exclusively. When asking your hair stylist for this look, Marshall Wright recommends asking them to make use of point cutting techniques on dry hair. "[That will] make it soft and lived in," he says, noting you should be aiming for soft, not overly choppy, layers. 

The ideal hair type for this fall trend is well-maintained and deeply conditioned locks with a lot of shine, because damaged hair, unfortunately, will only be highlighted if you keep the length long and dial up the volume. "Women are really wanting to feel as youthful as possible, maintaining hair condition helps hair feel youthful," Marshall Wright says. Try deep conditioning products to get your hair healthy and moisturized, such as the Shea Moisture Intensive Hydration Hair Masque or Dove Intensive Repair 10in1 Mask. Struggling to get that trendy lift at the roots? Try this super simple hair hack that promises the perfect amount of volume.

On the opposite end of the length spectrum, for those looking for a haircut that's super short and makes a major statement, the shaggy pixie cut is another big trend for fall 2026. This look has all the practicality of a classic pixie, but with added choppiness to get that shaggy and edgy vibe. Even better? It's more low-maintenance than you might think. Because this cut is so undone and relies on being non-uniform for its texture, you won't have to worry about keeping up with uber-regular salon appointments to maintain a specific length or neat shape. To help bring out your hair's texture, try a texturizing spray like Moroccanoil's Dry Texture Spray or the L3 Level 3 Sea Salt Spray.

You can totally rock a shaggy pixie with curly locks, as your gorgeous curls will give extra movement and texture. It works with straight hair too, as straight locks will provide a more dramatic, sharper effect. If you have thinner hair though, keep your pixie on the longer side to help it look denser.

Looking for a shorter cut this fall? You're in luck. Eric Marshall Wright exclusively tells us that bobs will be one of the hottest cuts of the season, and there's a variety of ways to wear it. "Thanks to [the TV show] 'Off Campus' and Ella Bright, we're gravitating towards this shoulder length bob that is worn flipped, sleek curled or blown out," he says. "The style is very versatile and works well with natural texture," he adds, while recommending wearing this shorter cut with a side part to really emphasize volume. Adding mousse, like SexyHair Big Root Pump Plus Volumizing Spray Mousse or Color Wow Xtra Large Volumizer will also help you get that volume.

Though many of us consider bobs more summer appropriate because they let our necks breathe and are easier to maintain in the heat, Marshall Wright explains they're actually the perfect fall cut. Bobs allow for warmer fashion choices, because they won't get tangled up in scarves of stuck on your fluffy sweaters. The shorter cut often means cutting off damaged ends too, so makes for a healthier starting point if you decide to grow your hair longer in the winter or into spring. Bobs can work for everyone, but your ideal style will depend on your hair's natural texture, volume, and your face shape. So speak with your stylist before getting the chop to ensure you get the most flattering result.

If you like the idea of the bob for fall 2026 but don't want to commit to such a short haircut, you'll be happy to know that lobs are in too. Lobs are very similar to bobs, but are a few inches longer. As a general rule, a bob sits at the jawline or higher, but lobs finish around the shoulders. Much like the bob though, this slightly longer style can work on a range of hair textures and densities and it's low-maintenance. While a bob needs regular trims to keep it the right length, there's a little more leeway with the length of a lob, so you can go longer in-between appointments.

There's a super chic way to wear the lob this season too. To be super on trend, try a flippy lob, which means flicking out the ends. Take inspo from these celebs who have rocked the flippy bob, but keep in mind this shape will work best with straight hair. Just make sure if you're using a heat tool to flip out the ends — such as the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron or Conair Curling Iron – that you use your heat protection properly to avoid fried ends. This style needs minimal layers to keep the chic bell-like shape, but can benefit from a little flattering shaping around the face.