As she took her bow after presenting her AW25 collection, Victoria Beckham appeared to be sporting her signature bob once more. The sleek, face-framing chop that became synonymous with her in the late Nineties seemed to have made a triumphant return. But upon closer inspection, it wasn’t a fresh cut at all – just a familiar styling trick.
Instead of reaching for the scissors, Beckham had simply tucked her hair into the collar of her roll-neck jumper to create the illusion of a short, polished bob.
The ‘turtleneck bob’, also known as the ‘turtleneck tuck’, as the internet is coining it, has witnessed a recent rival, and the Olsen twins are largely to thank. The Row founders have frequently been spotted nestling their tousled locks into oversized, marshmallowy roll-neck jumpers and swathing scarves. TikTok’s now calling it the ‘Olsen tuck’.
However, true fashion aficionados will recognise that this isn’t a new phenomenon. The stealthy fashion-favourite move was popularised by Phoebe Philo. During her tenure at Celine, the turtleneck tuck was Philo’s calling card – frequently sending models down the runway with their hair nonchalantly tucked into high collars and even embracing the look herself, often seen with her own hair nestled into her knitwear when she stepped out to take a post-show bow.
However, true fashion aficionados will recognise that this isn’t a new phenomenon. The stealthy fashion-favourite move was popularised by Phoebe Philo. During her tenure at Celine, the turtleneck tuck was Philo’s calling card – frequently sending models down the runway with their hair nonchalantly tucked into high collars and even embracing the look herself, often seen with her own hair nestled into her knitwear when she stepped out to take a post-show bow.
Of course, for some, the mere thought of hair being trapped in a turtleneck or coat collar might sound like a sensory nightmare. But fashion often demands a little discomfort, and we’d argue that the sacrifice is well worth it.
Call it a quick and easy way to fake a bob without making the chop, or a practical solution to keeping your hair in place during breezy days – either way, the turtleneck bob is a simple, stylish trick that’s here to stay.
