8 Elegant Pageboy Haircut Ideas For Timeless Style

Insightful and refreshing takes on a classic centuries-old hairdo that never goes out of style!

Reviewed by Alicia Igess, Hairstylist Alicia Igess Alicia IgessHairstylist facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by Pahul Nanra, BA (English Hons) Pahul Nanra BA (English Hons) linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
Edited by Anjali Sayee, BTech Anjali Sayee BTech linkedin_icon Experience: 7 years
Fact-checked by Joyce Joyson, MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) Joyce Joyson MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) linkedin_icon
Last Updated on

The pageboy haircut offers the perfect blend between medieval and present-day fashion. Though it started as a hairstyle for boys and young men, women soon adopted the hairdo when they started participating in the workforce. They adopted, revamped, and flaunted it in a variety of ways to complement their sense of style. In a fast-evolving and progressive world like ours, easy yet stylish hairstyles, like the pageboy, take center stage, serving as iconic trends. If the allure of this classic androgynous hairstyle has enticed you, keep reading!

What Is The Pageboy Haircut?

The pageboy hairstyle was named due to its resemblance to the haircuts sported by pageboys during the medieval era. However, the style became popular among bold women, famously called flappers, in the 1920s. In a post-war era where women, having survived the hardships of war, wanted to challenge traditional standards of femininity through their fashion and style. Throughout the following decades, the hairstyle remained prominent while evolving to cater to the ideologies and self-expression of women.

The classic pageboy haircut can be described as a straight-hair bob that just covers the ears. The haircut features blunt bangs, quite similar to the bowl cut. The hair ends are curled inward so they appear like an upside-down bowl. Today you can see multiple variations of the hairstyle where the length can vary anywhere between a sharp undercut to shoulder-length hair. The texture of the hair is not necessarily sleek and straight and the wearer can opt for a tousled, crimped, or wavy look. The bangs are a constant feature, though they don’t have to be strictly blunt. Basically, it is an androgynous hairstyle with a strong boyish and retro vibe. It is also important to note that the name of this hairstyle is not universal, and it may differ depending on where you are from.

That explains how the versatility and fluidity of this hairstyle have enabled it to stay in fashion even after the many eventful centuries since its inception. Hurry along to the following section for some classic and modern takes on this style.

8 Creative Pageboy Haircut Ideas

Whether your style is more traditional or leans toward chic, contemporary aesthetics, there is a pick for every palette in the following list of pageboy haircuts. Scroll below to find one that speaks to you.

1. 1950s Pageboy Haircut

Woman with a basic 1950s pageboy haircut
Image: Shutterstock

It was around the 1950s when the pageboy haircut is said to have become more mainstream, with women from all walks of life embracing it for its convenience. The straightforward hairdo featured a simple bob and fringe with the hair ends curled inward. It made for an efficient and neat look that was paired with all sorts of outfits and improved women’s standing among men.

2. 1960s Pageboy Haircut

Woman with a voluminous 1960s pageboy haircut
Image: Shutterstock

Through the 1960s, a number of styling experiments were done on the classic pageboy. In some variations, volume was added at the crown, in others, it was added at the bottom. This fluffy, voluminous look featured thick blunt bangs and inward ends that mostly complemented oval and angular face shapes. The glossy sheen of the style exudes sophistication, making it a head-turner.

3. 1970s Pageboy Haircut

Woman with an airy 1970s pageboy haircut
Image: Shutterstock

The 1970s pageboy is the closest to the modern, trendy pageboy styles we see today. Women began redefining this hairstyle in the 70s to suit their personal tastes. The blunt edges were softened and relaxed and more feminine elements like waves, curtain or side-swept bangs were added to the mix. The haircut required minimal styling and felt lightweight, perfectly suiting the lifestyle of busy and active women.

4. Modern Pageboy Haircut

Woman with a modern pageboy haircut featuring a long bob with baby bangs
Image: Shutterstock

A modern pageboy haircut was inspired by contemporary short-hair androgynous hairstyles. It basically features a voluminous long bob with wispy or parted bangs and featured hair ends. The crimped texture with soft edges, paired with the sharp bangs makes for a futuristic, refreshing look. It is a popular style sported by K-pop stars and Gen Z fashion enthusiasts, invariably increasing its trendy appeal.

5. Pixie Pageboy Haircut

Woman with a sharp pixie pageboy haircut
Image: Shutterstock

This pixie pageboy is an ultra-modern take on the pageboy haircut. Let your pixie cut grow out and feather out the ends of your bangs, like a chic bowl cut! Layer out your hair to reduce hair volume. It is a great hairstyle to complement your unique personality and aesthetic.

6. Long Pageboy Haircut

Woman with a feminine long pageboy haircut
Image: Shutterstock

The pageboy hairstyles of today come in varying lengths. Your long pageboy cut can comfortably rest on the shoulders without straying too much from the classic style. This style uses precise blunt bangs, silky straight strands, and curled ends to preserve the vintage essence. You can try a wavy version of this look to add more texture and style to your locks.

7. Short Pageboy Haircut

Woman with a choppy short pageboy haircut
Image: Shutterstock

This super short pageboy look features a choppy pixie cut with a bold, short fringe that rests in the middle of the forehead. It is a casual, carefree look that complements oval and diamond faces. If you have a wider face, opt for a softer curtain or side-swept bangs and grow out the lengths at least to the chin. You can also try gradual layers to add more dimension to your look.

8. Layered Pageboy Haircut

Woman with a short layered pageboy haircut
Image: Shutterstock

Layered haircuts are popular due to their light and airy feel and the youthful energy they give off. Adding layers is a great way to reduce volume while also making your hair appear fluffy and fresh. This is on the relaxed side of the spectrum when it comes to pageboy styles where the texture and bangs do not resemble the original haircut. But its ear-grazing length and efficiency make it a favorite among takers of super short hairstyles.

The pageboy haircut is one of very few historic hairstyles that has survived the test of time, endured the human instinct for spontaneity, and continues to be a trending hairdo today among high-profile celebrities and the general masses alike. While the tweaked, experimental versions of the style have more universal appeal, there are many old-school takers of the classic pageboy too. This article lists out its plus points and demonstrates how this haircut can pair with other modern hairstyles for a wholesome and impressive look. So go through this list and get inspired to embrace the timeless magnetism of the pageboy haircut Cheers!

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Alicia Igess
Alicia IgessHairstylist
Alicia Igess is an accomplished and award-winning stylist with over two decades of experience in hair design. She is the owner and founder of Urban Tangles, a hair and makeup studio focusing on makeovers. She, along with her team, has experienced tremendous success in building an exclusive “referral-only” clientele consisting of many of the who’s who of Atlanta.

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Pahul Nanra
Pahul NanraBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Pahul Nanra is a content writer with a penchant for all things fashion and beauty. She has two years of experience in writing across beauty and lifestyle genres. She is an English Honors graduate from Delhi University with a diploma in Fashion Designing from YMCA.

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Anjali Sayee
Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor
Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Joyce Joyson
Joyce JoysonBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.

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