As the seasons change, so do the trends in hair. Fall is the perfect time to refresh your style—whether you’re embracing cozy layers, bold color transitions, or simply updating your everyday look. Medium-length hair offers the perfect balance of versatility and manageability, making it a canvas for chic, seasonal updates. From textured lobs to playful braids, here are 12 trendy fall hairstyles to inspire your next salon visit or at-home styling session.
1. Textured Long Bob (Lob)
The textured lob remains a timeless favorite for fall. Sitting just above the shoulders, this cut offers movement and structure with minimal effort. Add choppy layers or point-cut ends to create a casual, tousled vibe. It’s especially flattering with soft waves—achieved by using a curling wand or flat iron—and suits both fine and thick hair. For a seasonal update, consider pairing it with warm highlights like caramel or copper to bring depth and richness to your color. The lob transitions easily from day to night and looks great whether you’re dressing up for an event or wearing a cozy sweater. It’s ideal for those who want a manageable cut with a modern edge.
2. Curtain Bangs with Loose Waves
Curtain bangs are having a major moment, and they pair beautifully with medium-length hair. These soft, face-framing bangs add dimension and effortlessly blend into the rest of your layers. When styled with loose, beachy waves, the look is casual yet polished—perfect for pumpkin patch outings, coffee dates, or cozy nights in. Use a round brush while blow-drying your bangs for volume and curve, and a large-barrel curling iron for the rest of your hair. This style flatters almost every face shape and can add softness to stronger features. Bonus: curtain bangs grow out gracefully, so they’re low-maintenance compared to blunt fringe. Add a fall-inspired hue—like golden brown or cinnamon—to really lean into the seasonal aesthetic.
3. Blunt Shoulder-Length Cut
Sometimes simplicity is the boldest choice. The blunt shoulder-length cut delivers clean lines and a striking silhouette, perfect for making a statement this fall. This style works best with straight or slightly wavy textures, offering a minimalist yet powerful look. Pair it with a middle part for a sleek, editorial finish, or side-sweep it for extra drama. The uniform length gives the illusion of thickness, making it ideal for those with finer strands. Style it with a straightener for a sharp, polished effect or tuck it behind the ears with bold earrings for a chic city-girl vibe. Add shine serum to elevate the glossy factor, and consider rich colors like chocolate brown or burgundy for fall.
4. Messy Half-Up Bun
The messy half-up bun is the epitome of effortless style, perfect for those crisp fall mornings when you want to look put-together with minimal effort. Gather the top half of your hair and twist it into a loose bun, securing it with pins or a claw clip. Let a few face-framing strands fall naturally to soften the look. This hairstyle suits all hair types and works especially well with second-day texture. It’s ideal for casual outings and adds a relaxed, youthful touch to your look. Want to elevate it? Pair it with soft curls on the loose ends or a bit of dry shampoo for added volume. For extra fall flair, try accessorizing with velvet scrunchies or autumn-colored clips.
5. Soft Shag with Feathered Layers
The soft shag is back in a big way, and it’s one of the most flattering medium-length styles for fall. Defined by lots of light, feathered layers, this cut brings movement and personality to your hair without feeling heavy or over-styled. The shag works especially well with natural texture—wavy or slightly curly hair will benefit the most, though it can also be styled with a curling iron for that rock-n-roll edge. The magic of this cut lies in its ability to look cool and lived-in even when air-dried. It’s a great match for vintage-inspired fall fashion, from flared jeans to oversized knits. Add curtain bangs for an even more layered, 70s-inspired vibe. You can make the look softer with honey tones or a rich copper balayage. Maintenance-wise, the shag is low-key and forgiving between trims. Pair it with a bit of texturizing spray, and you’re ready to take on the season with hair full of life and character.
6. Low Twisted Ponytail
Sleek yet romantic, the low twisted ponytail is the perfect mix of style and function. Start by parting your hair down the middle or slightly to the side, then gather it into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Before securing it, twist small sections of hair from each side and wrap them around the base of the ponytail for an elegant, polished effect. This style works beautifully with medium-length hair because it allows enough length for twists without being too bulky or complicated. You can keep it sleek and refined or loosen a few strands for a softer, more whimsical appearance. Pair it with cozy turtlenecks or a statement coat, and it becomes an elevated go-to for work, dinner dates, or seasonal photoshoots. Add hair accessories like tortoise-shell pins or velvet ribbons in deep burgundy or forest green to give it that extra autumnal flair.
7. Choppy Shoulder-Length Cut with Side Bangs
If you’re looking for a bold change that still feels wearable, consider a choppy cut with soft side bangs. This medium-length style adds volume and movement with irregular, razored layers that give hair a bit of edge. The side bangs help frame the face, making it especially flattering for round or square face shapes. Use a lightweight mousse or sea salt spray to enhance the layers and create that perfectly undone texture. This cut is incredibly versatile—it can be sleek and edgy for nighttime or tousled and casual during the day. It pairs well with seasonal trends like leather jackets and chunky scarves. The choppiness gives it a rebellious vibe, while the shoulder-length cut keeps it manageable and chic. It also grows out gracefully, making it an ideal low-maintenance style with maximum personality.
8. Modern Flip-Out Ends
A nod to 90s and early 2000s fashion, flipped-out ends are making a strong comeback—just in time for fall layering. Medium-length hair is perfect for this style, as it allows for playful flicks without being too dramatic. To achieve the look, blow-dry your hair straight with a round brush, flipping the ends outward for that signature bounce. Alternatively, use a flat iron to bend the ends slightly away from your face. The result is fun, flirty, and surprisingly versatile—it works well with center or side parts and complements most face shapes. It also pairs beautifully with fall-inspired outfits like mock-neck tops, plaid skirts, and structured blazers. Add a glossy shine spray to bring out the polished finish, or keep it matte and textured for a more relaxed, everyday vibe. If you want to go the extra mile, try layering in soft highlights to make the movement even more noticeable.
9. Braided Crown Half-Up Style
The braided crown half-up style is both whimsical and elegant—ideal for medium-length hair during the fall. Start by taking small sections from each side of your head and braiding them, then bring them together at the back and secure with pins or a small clear elastic. The result is a subtle crown effect that keeps your hair out of your face while showcasing beautiful texture and volume. You can keep the rest of your hair loose and wavy for a boho look or smooth it out for something more refined. This hairstyle is perfect for fall festivals, romantic outings, or even casual autumn weddings. Add seasonal accessories like small gold leaf pins or ribbon-wrapped elastics to elevate the look even more. It’s also a great way to showcase balayage or ombré coloring since the braid highlights color transitions beautifully. Bonus: it works just as well with unwashed hair and adds charm with minimal effort.
10. Deep Side Part with Volume
Sometimes a simple switch in your part can completely transform your look. A deep side part adds drama and instant sophistication to medium-length hair, especially when paired with extra volume at the crown. To achieve this, create a part that starts just above the arch of your brow, then blow-dry your hair using a round brush to lift at the roots. Add a volumizing mousse or light hold spray for structure, and consider backcombing slightly at the crown for added lift. This style gives the illusion of thicker hair and creates a glamorous silhouette that’s perfect for formal occasions or evening events. You can wear it straight, wavy, or even pin one side back with a decorative clip for a touch of sparkle. It’s a super quick way to update your style and gives your fall look a hint of old-Hollywood charm with minimal effort.
11. Layered Cut with Subtle Face Framing
A layered medium-length cut with subtle face-framing pieces is one of the most flattering styles for fall. It adds movement without taking away length and can be customized to suit every face shape. The face-framing layers begin just below the cheekbones or jawline and taper down softly into the rest of your hair, creating natural volume and a lifted appearance. Style it with loose curls, waves, or a simple blowout for a beautiful, effortless finish. This look shines when paired with warm fall hues—think golden blondes, auburns, or caramel browns. It’s also extremely practical: you get all the softness and volume of layers with none of the bulk. Whether you’re heading into the office or out to a fall farmer’s market, this haircut keeps you looking polished and feeling comfortable.
12. Medium-Length Curls with Defined Texture
Curly-haired beauties can embrace their natural texture with a medium-length cut designed to enhance curl shape and definition. Fall is the perfect time to go for a healthy trim and revive your curls with hydration and layered shaping. Ask your stylist for long layers to avoid the dreaded “pyramid” shape and define curls without adding extra weight. Use curl-enhancing products like a hydrating curl cream or gel and let your hair air-dry or diffuse for bounce. Defined curls look amazing peeking out from under beanies or scarves, and the volume adds drama to even the simplest fall outfit. Medium-length curls are also easy to refresh between wash days with a little water and leave-in conditioner. If you’re looking to change up your color, warm shades like chestnut, copper, or deep plum look especially striking on curls. Embracing your natural hair texture this fall is a stylish and empowering choice that never goes out of season.
Medium-length hair offers the perfect balance between ease and style, especially during the fall season when fashion and beauty trends take on richer tones and cozier vibes. From layered cuts and romantic braids to edgy textures and vintage-inspired flips, there’s no shortage of ways to refresh your look this autumn. Whether you want something simple and elegant or bold and trend-forward, these 12 fall hairstyles provide inspiration for every mood and hair type. So go ahead—book that salon appointment or try a new at-home style and embrace the beauty of change this season.
