Around this time three years ago, a (rather divisive, it turned out) debate was raging on TikTok after one user pondered whether anyone truly looks better with a side parting than they do a middle parting. To cut a long story short, the consensus was that side partings were only for those who are “old”.
That was in February 2021. Fast forward to today, and the side parting is very much back in favour, having appeared countless times on the runway in Milan last week (at Max Mara, Fendi and Prada, to name three), as well as on celebrities such as Kirsten Dunst, Dua Lipa, Florence Pugh and Camille Rowe. An age-old technique that can be used to quickly add volume to flat hairstyles, the side parting is a hallmark of the (currently trending) baroque bob, not to mention the fact that this potentially transformative trick is completely free and easy to execute.
“Some of the best inspiration for a good side parting comes from the ’90s, when both androgynous and supermodel hair were so popular,” says hairstylist Luke Hersheson. “It’s a look that lends itself both to a gamine aesthetic, and to old school glamour.” When they’re worn slick and tight – as they were on the Milan runways, often with tailored ensembles – they look super clean, minimal and a bit boyish. But when worn with volume and a big blow-out, they create another vibe entirely: Old Hollywood movie star hair.
There is something about a side parting that lends interest to an otherwise simple hairstyle. See Kirsten Dunst, a side parting devotee, who uses the trick to frame her jawline and balance out a rounder face. I am similarly round of face, and it’s a trick many hairstylists have tried on me in my time – plus, it’s a good way to disguise any greys that sit around the centre parting (why do they do that?) “Side partings can also be used to help balance out a long face – Jennifer Aniston is a great example of this,” adds Hersheson.
Side partings are always a theme during awards season, courtesy of all those luxe professional blow dries – but perhaps the chicest way to wear it now is with a slick finish. “You need a good tail comb to achieve a really defined parting,” explains Hersheson. “I use a lot of our Almost Everything Cream and then comb the hair into place.” Secure in a knot or a low ponytail, and ensure there’s absolutely no frizz.
While I’ve always personally eschewed the side parting in favour of a middle parting, when I have been tempted to flip my hair over to the left or right, I notice volume, a soupçon of that French undone-ness so many of us aspire to, and a completely different hairstyle. So if you’re in the market for a spring shake-up, this could be the simplest possible solution.
Hershesons
Hershesons Almost Everything Cream
£14
Hershesons