You know fall has arrived when the leaves change color or pumpkin spice returns. But the real proof that the season is here? The shifting of hair hairstyles. Silk presses and sew-ins move over! The hybrid sew-in bob has officially entered the chat.
This look first hit the scene last year, as a fresh inventive spin on the classic bob. ESSENCE spotlighted Tyla’s hybrid sew-in bob, proving that protective styles are red-carpet ready. Since then, we’ve kept close watch as the hybrid sew-in bob evolved into one of fall’s most talked-about styles.
To learn what makes this the most asked for fall hairstyle, we spoke with stylists on both coasts who are embracing this signature style. If the hybrid sew-in bob is already saved to your Pinterest board, keep reading.
Below, these hairstylists are giving us the tea on why it works, how to style it, and what makes it the “It Girl” hairstyle this season.
What is the Hybrid Sew-in Bob?
The hybrid sew-in bob is a mix of half cornrow braids and a sew-in or quick weave often called a hybrid braided leave out, the style blends two technique looks into one sleek, sculpted evolved bob. The top lays flat, giving the bob a buss down appearance. Mariam Kamara, a Brooklyn-based hair braider whose hybrid-sew in bob reel went viral on Instagram, says she’s added the “Tyla Bob” to her booking menu.
“A hybrid sew-and-bob combines cornrows, knotless braids or micro braids with a weave,” explains Kamara. “It gives the illusion of being effortlessly smooth, where you can’t even tell where the weave ends and the braid begins.”
The Perfect Versatile Protective Style
This style is taking over salon chairs on both coasts because it’s sleek, unique and a low-maintenance protective style. This trend reflects a growing demand for versatile protective styles beyond traditional knotless braids.
Evalyn Denis, celebrity hairstylist best known for Doechii’s infamous micro braids at the Billboard Awards and Beyoncé’s platinum blonde micro braids on her Cowboy Carter album cover, says the hybrid-sew in bob is the perfect protective style for the clients that want chic bone straight hair with minimal heat damage.
“For women who want a bone-straight look but also want protection for their leave-out,” explains Denis. “It’s also for people who want versatility and low maintenance. It’s intricate, gives a bob shape, but combines braids and sew-in for a protected style that’s still chic.”
Not Your Auntie’s Bob
Bobs aren’t new, variations have existed for centuries, from Cleopatra’s sleek chin-length cut to Joan of Arc’s bold cropped look. The modern bob, introduced by French hairdresser Antoine de Paris in the early 1900s, became a symbol of the flapper era. Each generation has reinvented it, and today’s stylists are pushing it a step further with braided versions that fuse a classic look with cultural innovation. Je’Ne Sais Quoi Hearn, Los Angeles braid specialist and creator of the slip out method, describes the style as timeless.
“This style is timeless because it keeps evolving,” says Hearn. “Now that we’ve mastered these types of hairstyles, sew-ins and braids, we can intermesh the two and it’s just awesome.”
The Best Ways to Protect Your Hybrid Sew-In Bobianna
Now that you’ve decided this is the style you’re sending your stylist, let’s teach you how to maintain it. To keep your bob as sharp as Whitney Houston’s iconic bob at the 1999 MTV Movie Awards, Denis recommends using curly hair texture for the longevity of the style.
“For long wear, I recommend textured bundles instead of body waves or loose ones [since] they keep the style intact and protect your leave-out better,” says Denis. “A curlier bundle texture blends more naturally and helps minimize daily heat and styling.”
Kamara swears by hydrating the scalp and minimal heavy product use. “For the braid part, make sure to always wash out product build-up around your edges,” says Kamara. “Keep your hair hydrated, whether it’s under the weave or in the braids, so your scalp stays healthy.”
Hearn shares an old school trick she learned during her natural hair journey in the early 2000s. Use micellar cleansing water to cleanse your hair. “I recommend using a herbal-like dry shampoo, and micellar cleansing water,” says Hearn. “Use a cloth or an old t-shirt — never cotton [balls], because that causes frizz — to gently cleanse your scalp.”
The Fall “It Girl” Style
The hybrid sew-in bob is this season’s “It Girl” hairstyle because it’s protective, versatile and chic. Work with your stylist to make it your own, then rock it all fall long. If you need a sign to book that appointment — this is it!