15 Sleek Fall Haircuts That'll Make You Feel Like an "It Girl" All Season Long

Dakota Johnson with a fringe hairstyle
Go for a sleek and polish look as temperatures cool. Credit:

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  • After a summer of fun, fall is the perfect time for a refreshing haircut.
  • Whether it's a dramatic cut or a simple trim, it'll leave you feeling polished and ready for a new season.

After a summer of sun, pool water, and ponytails, it's only natural that your hair is ready for a fall refresh. Whether it's a dramatic cut or a simple trim, this seasonal shift is the perfect time to ask your stylist for a change.

This fall is all about looking polished and primped. But that doesn't mean the same thing for everyone. "Whether straight or curled, [the look is] always aligned and intentional, "says Rogerio Calavacante, expert stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon."Not every haircut works the same on every person. Some people naturally need more styling to look polished, while others look put together even with minimal effort."

In other words, it's not a one-size-fits-all situation. "The best haircut is the one that complements your natural texture and fits your styling preferences. Once you have that, looking polished can be much easier—even on 'messy' days."

Ready to discover your best haircut for fall, but don't know where to start? Check out InStyle's favorite looks from some of our favorite stars.

Meet the expert

Rogerio Calvacante is an expert stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon.

01 of 15

Face Framer Fall

Sarah Catherine Hook smiling and looking back over her shoulder at an event

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When it comes to an It-Girl haircut, nobody does it like "The White Lotus" star Sarah Catherine Hook. Her face framers are styled with the perfect amount of volume to match her polished blowout.

02 of 15

Red Carpet Curly Bangs

Regan Aliyah with curly hair smiles at an event

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Regan Aliyah's curly bangs are everything. The “Ironheart”actress’s rounded, shoulder-length cut perfectly frames her face, giving her a sleek style for any occasion.

"Leaning into natural texture is the way to go," says Calvacante. "Soft shaping cuts, curly bangs, or braided styles all look chic for fall."

03 of 15

Low Key Layers

Camila Coelho posing in front of a wooden background wearing a light dress looking at the camera

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Youtuber Camila Coelho's long, thick hair is accentuated by well-defined and cut layers.

"Layers are your best friend—they give movement while making the volume easier to manage," says Calvacante. Plus, additional styling can accentuate this look.

"Loose waves or polished blowouts look amazing, especially with those richer, natural hair tones,” he adds.

04 of 15

Middle Part Madness

Hailey Baldwin wearing sunglasses

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While there has been a strong return of Y2K nostalgia, like the side part, there are some current looks that just won’t quit, like middle parts. Hailey Bieber looks ready to take on anything in her sleek ‘do.

05 of 15

Wow, Her Hair is Really Good!

Demi Lovato smiling wearing a top with long hair

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Ever since Demi Lovato walked on stage in this look, I simply have not stopped thinking about it. While middle parts might be all the rage, Demi's simple side part and tousled long cut proves that every trend has it's place.

06 of 15

Volume Volume Volume

Sabrina Carpenter posing at an event wearing a dark outfit

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"Sabrina Carpenter has really carried the voluminous, glamorous trend," says Calvacante. Carpenter is often seen with big waves and perfectly styled bangs that complement her vintage, signature look.

07 of 15

Blunt Bobs

Tyla wearing a gold chainstyle top with styled hair

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Is there anything Tyla can't do? Her blunt bob is a fresh look that accentuates her face shape and features. Paired with her bangs, styled to one side, this is a look that is sure to make a statement this Fall.

08 of 15

Post-Summer Curtain Bangs

Jenna Ortega posing with a neutral expression

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Yes, you should get bangs—even if you're not in a crisis. Actually, you should especially get bangs when you are not in a crisis, because that means you have space to hold for exquisite styling and intentional product use, Jenna Ortega's curtain bangs match her perfectly tousled, layered long cut.

09 of 15

The Lohannaissance

Lindsay Lohan smiling at an event

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”Sleek, aligned looks are trending, but adding face-framing layers or curtain bangs gives a modern update," says Calvacante. Nobody is doing style right now like THE Lindsay Lohan—and that includes her perfectly styled face framers.

10 of 15

May We Be Blunt

Remy Solomon with shoulderlength hair at a photo event smiling

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"A blunt cut can make [hair] appear fuller," said Calvacante. Actress Remy Solomon's cute and short cut accentuates her face shape at the Los Angeles premiere of the new horror film, Lurker.

11 of 15

Full and Fresh Bangs

Dakota Johnson in a sleek outfit

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Dakota Johnson's thick hair works well for her iconic blunt bangs. Her well-styled coiffure is full and voluminous. Plus, she adds a little texture with slightly fringed ends.

12 of 15

Rounded Curly Cuts

Natasha Lyonne with curly hair smiling and wearing a strapless dress in an outdoor setting

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No Poker Face necessary here: We're obsessed with how Natasha Lyonne's rounded curly cut gorgeously accentuates her iconic curls. Her perfectly cut layers and bangs create a polished yet approachable look.

13 of 15

Long Locks

Drew Afualo with long hair wearing a metallic offshoulder top attending a formal event based on the backdrop

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Internet Star Drew Afuolo’s long, wavy hair is the perfect Summer look that can transition into fall, with long layers, which are having a serious moment right now. "[This is] echoing that long-hair obsession we saw in the 2010/2016 era, but with a fresher, more modern twist," says Calvacante.

14 of 15

Shag Chic

Renee Rapp smiling and wearing glasses during an event

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If Rennee Rapp says jump, we all say how high. And if she gets a shag haircut, then it stands to reason that we want one too. Strong layers are a distinct part of her tousled look. Calvacante says that layers are "great for hair that you want to wear with movement, waves, or texture." Specifically, he says that "layered cuts like shags can make messy, lived-in styles look intentional and polished."

15 of 15

Minimal Layers

Alison Ogden posing with a hand under their chin in front of a backdrop with text

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"Building the Band" star Alison Ogden shows off her long locks, finished with slight layering at the ends, which is "ideal if you prefer sleek, straight hair," says Calvacante."Layers can make straight hair look uneven or unfinished, so a blunt cut with slight layering at the ends often works best for a polished, low-effort look," he adds.

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