The Scandi Set Have Declared This The Bangs Hairstyle For 2026
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2 hours ago
A chic, choppy fringe? Count us in
The Scandi girls have got it going on. From street style to runway, the Copenhagen set know how to hit all the right notes when it comes to fashion – but their beauty routine is also quickly becoming a coveted asset. And salons have already teased one major hair trend for 2026, courtesy of our Northern European muses: Scandi bangs. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Are Scandi Bangs?
‘Scandi bangs are a soft, face-framing fringe that blends seamlessly into the rest of the haircut,’ explains Neale Rodger, Style Director at STIL Salon. The salon, while based in London, is proudly rooted in Scandinavian heritage (‘stil’ meansing ‘style’ in Swedish). ‘The bangs sit somewhere between a curtain bang and a bottleneck fringe, but feel lighter and more effortless. The overall effect is undone, airy and very “I woke up like this.”’
But for 2026, Neale has spotted a shift – and a second version of the statement fringe forming. ‘There’s been a rise of micro bangs on the Scandi street style scene – a super short contrasting “fashion fringe” that appears as if it’s been cut at home.
‘Traditionally, the softer fringe is inspired by Scandinavian style – minimal, chic and natural,’ he continues. ‘Just as Scandi fashion favours clean lines and understated cool, Scandi bangs tend to be about subtle movement and shape, whereas the shorter micro bangs provide more of a current style statement inspired by many of the Scandi-cool girls in Copenhagen this year.’
So don’t expect a ‘one size fits all’ approach to the trend. In fact, it’s this versatility that seems to be giving Scandi bangs their popularity in the salon. ‘People are leaning towards hair that feels low-maintenance but still has impact,’ Neale adds. ‘Longer Scandi bangs soften the face, work with natural texture and look good even if you skip a blow-dry. The micro Scandi bangs trend also offers a level of effortlessness, as the style is all about looking self-cut, so it doesn’t rely on being perfect.’
Copenhagen Fashion Week Street Style SS26 (c) Noor-u-Nisa Khan
Who Suits This Cut?
Good news for us: ‘Scandi bangs are surprisingly versatile,’ says Neale. ‘On straight and wavy hair, they fall naturally into a soft curtain shape. On curls, they can be cut slightly longer so they blend into the curl pattern.
‘They’re especially flattering on oval, heart and longer face shapes as they bring balance and softness, but can easily be adapted for round faces with a longer, more face-framing version,’ he adds.
How To Ask For Scandi Bangs In The Salon?
‘Bring a couple of reference photos, as “Scandi bangs” is still a newer term and stylists may interpret it differently,’ warns Neale.
He also recommends going in with a clear vision of the style of Scandi bangs you want. ‘Depending on which look you are going for, ask either for soft, blended bangs that sit around the eyes or cheekbones, with longer sections at the sides that melt into the rest of your haircut,’ he recommends. ‘Or when asking for micro Scandi bangs, I would always bring along visual references, as the “micro” element can vary in length and style. Ask your stylist for a short, choppy fringe that sits well above the brows, with a slightly imperfect, lived-in finish. The key is that it shouldn’t look too precise; it should feel a little playful and fashion-forward rather than polished.’
How To Style Scandi Bangs
Unlike a neat and polished fringe, Scandi bangs are designed to be low-effort – which means less time spent styling in the morning. ‘A quick rough-dry with your fingers is usually enough,’ confirms Neale. ‘For a more polished finish, you can flick the longer style outwards with a round brush or smooth them lightly so they frame the face. A touch of dry shampoo or a lightweight texturising spray adds the signature Scandi volume.’
The same goes for the micro rendition of the look. ‘Micro fringes are also meant to look slightly undone, so they don’t need much styling. A quick blast with a hairdryer and your fingers will usually do the trick. And again, if you want a bit more polish, a small round brush can be used to smooth them forward. Lightweight texture sprays or dry shampoo work well to keep them fresh and give that effortless Scandi feel. Avoid heavy styling creams or oils as they can make the fringe look flat or piece-y.’
Copenhagen Fashion Week Street Style SS26 (c) Noor-u-Nisa Khan
How To Maintain The Length
Your care routine depends on the style of Scandi bangs you go for, explains Neale. ‘As the look for longer Scandi bangs is grown-out and blended, they’re easy to look after and don’t need constant upkeep,’ he says. ‘A trim every six to eight weeks is usually enough to keep them in shape. Lighter styling products are best, as heavy oils or serums can weigh them down or make them separate.’
Micro bangs, meanwhile, may need a little more upkeep. ‘Because of the short length, micro bangs do need more frequent trims to keep the look sharp, usually every three to four weeks,’ the stylist tells us. ‘That said, the beauty of Scandi micro bangs is that they’re designed to feel a little imperfect, so they can still look great as they grow out. A good dry shampoo or texturising spray will also help to keep them looking fresh in between washes.’
What Next?
Watch out: this fringe is about to become the crowning glory of the salon. ‘Expect to see longer Scandi bangs paired with other trending cuts, like the Italian bob, or evolving into slightly more layered versions,’ forecasts Neale. ‘But their relaxed, effortless softness is what makes them so wearable, and that quality means they’ll stick around beyond a single season.
‘I think we’ll see micro Scandi bangs continuing to evolve as a bolder counterpoint to the softer, longer versions,’ he adds. ‘They’ll likely be paired with sharper, fashion-led cuts, like sleek bobs or pixie crops to really emphasise their graphic, statement-making quality. At the same time, we’ll also see looser, more lived-in interpretations that make them wearable for a wider audience.’
Hair Inspiration
While still in its early stages, the trend is already having quite the moment – and not just with the Scandi set. ‘Suki Waterhouse and Matilda Djerf are often referenced for this style, both wearing airy, feathered bangs that feel distinctly Scandi,’ notes Neale. ‘Sofia Richie Grainge has also been spotted with softer, face-framing layers that give a similar effect.’
Some celebrities are also tackling the micro version of the look head on. ‘Halsey is a great example of how to wear the perfect micro bangs, and Miley Cyrus is also a fan of the look,’ confirms Neale. ‘Pamela Anderson has recently been embracing variations of the micro fringe too, demonstrating just how versatile it can be.’
For more Scandi bangs inspiration, scroll on:
Classic Scandi Bangs
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Micro Scandi Bangs
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