The “Kitty Cut” Is the Summer-Ready Take on the Shag

If you were one of those kids who had encyclopedic knowledge of the animal kingdom and spent hours tending to your flock of stuffed animals, you’re going to want to listen up. Beauty has always drawn inspiration from the natural world, and the butterfly cut, wolf cut, and jellyfish cut are proof. Hairstylists and trendsetters just can’t stop uniting zoology with hair creativity, and now a (very cute) new furry friend has come to join the party: the kitty cut. 

You’re probably wondering, “What on earth is a kitty cut?” Cats aren’t exactly known for the shape of their fur, but the kitty cut is less about semantics and more about attitude. The cut is kittenish, not directly cat-inspired, meaning it looks great with flirty summer sundresses and corporate siren ‘fits alike. It’s feline in vibes, not practice.

Ahead, learn more about the trending kitty cut and why it may just be the summer trend you’re looking for. Me-owwwww!

What Is a Kitty Cut?

Where does the kitty cut sit on the animal-inspired hairstyle spectrum? It’s less choppy and wild than the wolf and doesn’t toe the mullet line, as the feline name suggests. According to Aaron Grenia, co-founder of IGK Hair, the kitty cut is characterized by “soft layers, textured ends, and a length that can vary from short to medium.”

Whereas the wolf cut is defined by wispy, light layers to give hair lots of motion and movement, the kitty cut has longer layers than its shaggier predecessors, says Adam Federico, vice president of technical education at R+Co. The kitty cut is “slightly more polished looking” than the trendy shags of the 2020s, he says. It’s also perfectly suited for summer weather because of its shorter length. “As we move into warmer seasons, it’s natural that individuals are looking to lose some length,” he says. 

Another perk of the kitty cut is that it’s easy to style, which is key when it’s hot outside and you can’t be bothered with curling and flat irons or tons of prep time. “This cut is super low maintenance,” says Grenia. “It is easy to care for, requires minimal styling time, and gives a fresh, youthful look that can revitalize the appearance.” See what I mean about that kittenish appeal? 

If you’re shag-curious, the kitty cut may be your ideal entry point without adding too many layers to your hair at once; it’s a smart way to dip your toes into the style. “This is one you can try before taking the lap with a heavily shagged haircut,” Federico suggests.

How to Get the Look

Because there are so many trendy names for different hair cuts, the best way to communicate what you’re looking for is to bring lots of photos to share with your stylist. “Don’t leave room for guesswork or what could be lost in translation,” advises Federico. “Hairdressers are very visual people, so one picture is worth a thousand words.”

In general, the kitty cut works best for straight to wavy and curly hair types. If you have very thin or fine hair, you may want to skip the kitty cut, as the style works best with more density. 

To style your new cut, Grenia recommends building a “textured base” with a mousse like IGK’s Big Time Volume and Thickening Mousse, applied to damp hair. to build a textured base. Apply a thermal protectant like IGK’s Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray or R+Co’s Chainmail Thermal Protection Styling Spray, then blow dry with a round brush or a diffuser to enhance natural waves. Federico advises using a round brush to style, calling it a great “one and done” tool. To finish, Grenia recommends spritzing your hair with a texture spray like IGK’s Beach Club Touchable Texture Spray, to add that undone, cool-girl vibe and flexible, all-day hold.