Blunt Statement: Your Guide to Fall Fringe

The fall runways really gave us a bang for our buck, and now we can’t stop dreaming about all the fabulous fringe styles we’re eager to try out come September! Runway shows at Versace, Marni, and Elie Saab all featured bold bangs with one thing in common—a blunt cut. This season’s straight across bangs are cutting edge, and make a powerful impact. If Rooney Mara hasn’t already inspired you to chop it off in front, the following bangspirations are sure to have you reaching for the scissors.

The Hair Liners

Extra-short bangs are not for the faint of heart. The forehead-bearing style paired with this season’s long and sleek locks commands attention by dominating your face, wearing like a fine-billed fedora. It was all over the Versace runways, exuding a tough sexiness that we haven’t seen since Tura Satana’s role in Faster Pussycat Kill Kill. This vixen worthy style looks equally powerful with a no-nonsense bob like Uma Thurman’s in Pulp Fiction, but you can down the danger factor by barrel rolling the ends à la Bettie Page or Katy Perry.

The Brow Lifters

Brow-grazing bangs are the happiest medium for everyone. The sweetness factor is present, but not enough to cause a toothache, especially when paired with a couple unexpected side chops like the ones we saw at Antonio Berardi. We saw this easygoing style through the ‘60s looking innocent on young singer France Gall, ladylike on model Jean Shrimpton, or downright approachable on English songstress Marianne Faithfull. The style even brought the high glamour gowns on the runway at Elie Saab down to earth. This full-on feminine bang can easily go dolly cute like Kawaii pop star Nicki Minaj, but we are happy to see it standing through the season as the quintessential style of the girlie girl.

The Lid Grazers

Curtain-like fringe is a heavy trend worth trying—even if it makes you contemplate the point of wearing your favorite eye shadow. Retro style is having a major moment, and you can’t spell swinging sixties without B-A-N-G-S. Marni took direct inspiration from ‘60s model Penelope Tree, sending a bevy of heavy thick fringe down the fall runways with the models peeking out underneath. This sexy yet undone style carries the energy of foreign ingenue icons like Françoise Hardy or Nico, with a touch of free spirit glamour that practically screams Jane Birkin. If anything, the lid-grazing bang will make you embrace the grow out phase.

The Mop Toppers

When your super-sleek bang style fails to deliver, don’t fret! Mess it up and rock it out—you’ll still be hot on trend. This fall, grunge bangs are too cool for school, and we find the piecey, slept-in, carefree style channels everyone from Patti Smith to Zooey Deschanel. Skip a shower day and let your messy fringe fall over and around your eyes. The “indie bang” is a great option for wavy hair as well, helping you cheat an early Courtney Love look without the need for the dollar store hair barrettes (but we won’t stop you from adding in a few). Oh make me over!