Style Hair 30 Shag Haircut Styles With A Modern Twist Make an appointment with your stylist now. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough Sadik is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on October 2, 2024 While the classic bob and blunt lob have seen their fair share of attention, the shag is taking over salons everywhere. Before you lose yourself flashing back to Stevie Nicks, Jane Fonda, David Cassidy, and Mick Jagger with their choppy shag cuts, we want you to envision a more flattering shag. This modern nod to the shag cut that reigned supreme in the 1970s is just as mussed and layer-heavy but slightly softer in approach. (And it's so flattering.) While getting a layer-packed cut like this can be intimidating, this updated shag is approachable, softer, and not one-size-fits-all. An old-school shag hairstyle traditionally hits between the collarbone and chest, but face shape and hair texture should dictate your most flattering length. The bangs are still eyebrow-grazing and longer on the sides, and oodles of layers give the midsection volume and body (but ask for softer layers that aren't choppy). If you're feeling adventurous on your next trip to the salon, try one of these 30 modern shag haircuts. 01 of 30 The New Shag Pinterest So, the new shag is all about using softer layers to create a less choppy, more feminine cut that still maintains the shape and feel of a classic shag. This haircut includes bangs, waves, and plenty of layers. You can vary the length to whatever you want. This style is a great example. 02 of 30 Shaggy Bob Ilya Savenok / Getty Images This French-inspired bob is short in length and bangs, giving it that choppier shag look. This style flatters oval faces better than round or heart. 03 of 30 Sleeker Shag Getty Images We love this modern approach to the shag cut with less messiness and sleeker locks while keeping the tousles and bangs. When styling this haircut, use a smoothing serum or oil, which will come in handy after the hair is dry. 04 of 30 Shaggy Crop @mrdanielmartinez We love this modern crop cut that gives the choppy layers and bangs of a shag cut in a slightly stacked, longer crop length. It's easy to style while also making a statement. 05 of 30 Old School Pinterest This haircut is the closest we think anyone should get to the retro shag, and it's a pretty good resemblance with the slightest modern edge (which we might attribute to way better hair products). Lots of layers frame the face and curtain bangs can be easily swept to the side. 06 of 30 Cropped Top Steve Granitz / WireImage We're giving a nod to an original shag expert here, especially with this particular shag style that keeps the top half of layers very short to get that volume and shape. It still works. Layers around the face add body and shape to this hairstyle. 07 of 30 Side-Parted Shag Oh Lollas / Pinterest This side-parted shaggy bob with thick bangs looks classy and chic and is perfect for those that don't want to dive into a center part. The length frames the face perfectly, and the short layers give your hair more body. 08 of 30 Subdued Shag Jemal Countess / Getty Images If you want to give a quieter nod to this cool cut, then go for a subdued style. This haircut still emphasizes the characteristic center-part bangs and layers of the shag cut in a softer, sleeker way and with a longer length. 09 of 30 Balayage Highlights Pinterest This haircut is definitely more modern but gets its characteristics from the shag cut. The bangs and wavy layers give this style movement and definition and make it an effortless look. The balayage highlights make it ultra-trendy and fresh. 10 of 30 Curly Girl Shag Byrdie / Pinterest We love this natural curly-hair approach to a shag cut. The layers create major volume at the hair's midsections, giving this cut the classic shag shape. Use some curling mousse in this hair to enhance that curl. Curling mousse will define your curls while adding volume and controlling frizz. Apply a pump or two of mousse, then comb the product through your hair with your fingers. 11 of 30 Blunt Shag Pinterest We know the whole thing about a classic shag was its mountains of layers and choppy look, but we like this style's rebellious bluntness that still veers shag-like in shape and cut. Ask for blunt ends rather than all the layers to achieve this look. 12 of 30 Shag-Inspired Long Locks Getty Images The shag is typically no longer than just below the collarbones, but this style doesn't sacrifice length for the layer-packed, tousled shag look. The bangs sweep away from the face, and we love the subtle highlights that add definition. 13 of 30 Fullest Bangs Pinterest If you're more into blunt than center-parted bangs, go for a full bang on a shag cut to make it look a little more classic and elegant. You still get the eyebrow-grazing length bangs, but just more of them. 14 of 30 Lob-Length @salsalhair / Instagram This shag-like take on the trendy lob-length cut makes for one stylish head of hair. There are plenty of layers and body, but the bangs are slightly more subdued than a traditional shag. 15 of 30 Transition Shag @mrchrismcmillan This bold shag is a sleek transition for growing out a bob haircut. Fringe bangs and wispy layers add fullness as they frame the face. 16 of 30 Breezy Shag Instagram/@petermenezes Layers and bangs give curly hair a shag-like style. Shoulder-length curls get added shape from blended layers. 17 of 30 Curly Shag @salsalhair A shag hairstyle keeps curls from being weighed down. Layers give movement to natural curls, and bangs make this cut easy and breezy. 18 of 30 Medium-Length Shag @mizzchoi Curtain bangs add texture to this medium-length shag. Their face-framing longer length softens features, and they are easier to maintain than shorter bangs. Adjust the length of the bangs to suit your face shape. 19 of 30 Classic Shag @styled_by_carolynn/Instagram This update on the classic shag features long, feathered layers reminiscent of Farrah Fawcett's famous 'do, but with softer lines. Long bangs blend with the layers to create a seamless style. 20 of 30 New Shag @slim_color/instagram Long layers and bangs add waves to a modern shag haircut. Highlights around the face give the look a sun-kissed finish. 21 of 30 Blunt Shag @salsalhair Full bangs rest below the eyebrows to accentuate facial features. This effortless style is finished with blunt ends that add texture to this modern spin. 22 of 30 Wild And Free Shag @lindsayshair Lots of layers, short bangs, and tousled style make this a shag Joan Jett would approve of. Shorter layers near the crown of the head add lots of rockstar volume. 23 of 30 Short Angled Shag Instagram/@styled_by_carolynn Chopping your hair is easy when this cute shag is an option. Angled layers add texture and volume to this bob style. Layers are longer in front than in back, and curtain bangs add softness. 24 of 30 Straight Shag Instagram/@sazan Shag hair can be sleek and edgy too. Smooth layered hair with hair straightening products, then style with a flat iron for long, lustrous locks. 25 of 30 Blonde Shag @salsalhair Ramp up the volume of a modern shag with a bold blonde look. A cool platinum color gives a straight shag some edge. 26 of 30 Curly Shag With No Bangs @jesseniaspallet A shag haircut doesn't require bangs. Get the look with lots of different lengths of layers to define curls and add fullness. Get more height and texture with volumizing mousse or texturizing spray. 27 of 30 Blunt Shag Instagram/@mizzchoi This edgy look is proof that the shag style can work on straight hair. Add blunt ends for a chic, modern vibe and baby bangs to give it shape. 28 of 30 Shaggy Crop Instagram/@charlieandcosalons Platinum blonde color brings the shag up-to-date. Shoulder length hair, blunt ends, edgy color, and soft layers create a sophisticated look. Ask for ash platinum blonde for an edgy icy or smoky color that's cooler than harsh yellow platinum. Darker shadow roots finish the look. 29 of 30 Piecey Fringe Instagram/@salsalhair Accomplish texture with piecey fringe that frames the face for a fun, beachy look. Tousled waves give this longer cut a carefree style. 30 of 30 Rockstar Shag @charlieandcosalons/Instagram Don't let old-school winged bangs scare you. Get volume and waves with a round brush and blow dryer, and rock on. Frequently Asked Questions What face shape do shags look good on? The shag haircut is versatile and looks great on almost every face shape. For round face shapes, shag haircuts can hide a person's facial features, making them look shorter, so opt for a longer shag that elongates rather than covers. Medium-length shags are great for people with oval face shapes. How do you style a shag haircut? Shag haircuts give a person a laid-back look, but the ample layers and fringe require maintenance. Shorter shag haircuts need a trim every four to six weeks, while longer looks can wait until every six to eight weeks. Get the most from your shag haircut by using texturizing spray to volumize layers and blow-drying bangs with a round brush. What's the difference between a shag and layers? A shag has short, choppy layers, with many around the crown, giving the hair lots of volume. Layers are cut slightly shorter than the rest of the hair and are used to frame the face or add texture to hair. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit