Anne Hathaway's 15 Best Hair Looks Are Just as Iconic as Her Characters

Anne Hathaway wearing bangs and ponytail

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Anne Hathaway isn't only known for her theatrical prowess. Throughout her career, the actress has also earned a reputation for having an incredible sense of style and stunning beauty looks. As it relates to the latter, we'd be remiss if we didn't discuss her archive of hair looks. After all, we've spent decades watching her epic hair journey unfold before our eyes. From pixie cuts to cascading waves, Hathaway has rocked virtually every length and style you can think of.

Ahead, we break down 15 of Anne Hathaway's best hair looks, with expert commentary and tips on how to recreate the styles yourself. Scroll on for proof her hair track record is just as impressive as her countless screen credits.

Meet the Expert

01 of 15

French Girl Bangs

Anne Hathaway at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards with brand new bangs

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At the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards, Anne gave us a très chic hair update. While not a far change from her signature, medium-to-long chestnut waves, these French girl bangs certainly chic up her overall look, framing her face with slightly elongated strands that curl inward, hitting just below her eyebrows.

02 of 15

Sky-High Hair

Anne Hathaway at the 2023 Met Gala.

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Hathaway paired a custom Versace dress with a depth-defying 'do for the 2023 Met Gala. With subtle face-framing pieces and no shortage of volume, the style gave us classic '60s hair with a 2023 twist.

03 of 15

The Devil Wears Prada-Inspired Pony

Anne Hathaway with bangs and a ponytail.

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We all remember Hathaway's iconic bangs from her The Devil Wears Prada days, and the internet fell into an absolute tizzy when she showed up at the Spring/Summer 2023 Michael Kors fashion show with eye-grazing bangs and an undone ponytail that screams Andy Sachs. It proves that even 17 years later, the film is as on the pulse as ever.

04 of 15

Free-Flowing Waves

Anne Hathaway with long flowing hair.

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Hathaway leaned on an old faithful at the Cannes Film Festival in May of 2022, donning that perfectly undone hair look she's worn so many times before. To achieve the same elevated, effortless bedhead, Pags suggests starting with a lightweight mousse to add controlled volume and body—she's a fan of the Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer ($26). If you're looking for other options to try, we've compiled a guide with the best volumizing mousses.

05 of 15

Bumpit Chic

Anne Hathaway in 2022 wearing a thin headband.

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Remember the iconic Bumpit from the 2000s? This is her now. Okay, not actually, but we love the pouf-y inspiration. The ultra-thin headband and voluminous crown create a dramatic and glamorous look —and we're here for it.

06 of 15

Loose Updo

Anne Hathaway at a 2019 press conference with a casual up-do.

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Anne's textured, wavy hair is the star of the show in this casual, loose updo. It somehow feels both elevated and effortless in the best way. Giannetos says the DaeHibiscus Wave Spray ($28) is the perfect prep product, as it will help you create a similar texture and soft waves. From there, loosely gather your hair and pin it back to create an unstructured bun. Be sure to leave out some face-framing tendrils.

07 of 15

Ear Tucked and Tousled

Anne Hathaway at the 2019 Golden Gloves with tousled hair tucked behind the ears.

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One of our personal favorite Hathaway hair looks is this sweet style. The tight, sleek tuck behind the ears lends a more refined feel, while the flowing, loose hair down the back gives the look an effortless appeal.

08 of 15

Bendy Waves

Anne Hathaway with tousled bendy waves in 2018.

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Yet again, Hathaway donned her signature waves—this time at a collar bone-grazing length with subtle ombré highlights. According to Pags, the tousled style can be easily achieved at home using a user-friendly blow dryer brush like the T3 AireBrush One-Step Smoothing and Volumizing Hair Dryer Brush ($150).

09 of 15

Beachy Braid

Anne Hathaway in 2016 with a beachy braid.

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For the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscars Party, Hathaway went with a long, slightly undone braided ponytail. The beachy but elegant style is easy to recreate at home. First, gather hair at the top of the crown and secure it with an elastic; braid down the length and tie with about an inch-and-a-half of hair left; and gently pull at various strands within the braid to create a perfectly undone style.

10 of 15

Deep Side-Parted Bob

Anne Hathaway in 2014 with a bob and deep side part.

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Hathaway put a spin on her signature red carpet waves with this style. For this iteration, she opted for a deep side part and bob cut. To achieve the same effortlessly sleek style, Giannetos suggests using a hair oil like the Raw Sugar Endless Hair Glow Oil ($10) to add shine without weighing the style down. Looking for more

11 of 15

Bleach Blonde and Lived-In Locks

Anne Hathaway with short bleached blonde hair at the 2013 Met Gala.

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At the 2013 Met Gala, Hathaway rocked bleach-blonde locks with a lived-in, swoop-y styling that feels undeniably rock and roll. It was perfectly on theme for the punk-inspired exhibit.

12 of 15

Polished Bixie

Anne Hathaway at the 2012 Oscars with a bixie haircut.

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When her big Oscar win came around in 2013, Hathaway's hair had grown into a 90s-inspired bixie cut. Part bob and part pixie, the style is a classic stage in the pixie cut regrowth phase.

When contemplating a significant haircut, Pags says to remember you're not just committing to the initial desired cut. You're also committing to the haircuts in between while growing out. She suggests sticking to routine cuts every eight to 10 weeks to help your cut maintain shape as you transition through the grow-out phase.

13 of 15

Close Crop Bangs

Anne Hathaway with short hair in 2012.

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Hathaway's cropped cut was more than just a look—it felt inspiring. "Her cut for her role in Les Misérables has got to be one of my favorite style moments," Pags says. "Anyone who can rock a short hairstyle like that is truly empowering. It sets a tone for women and young girls around the world that we don't have to live by what society has taught us. Beauty comes in many forms, and short hair is one of them."

14 of 15

Pixie Perfection

Anne Hathaway in 2012 with a pixie cut.

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We can't talk about Anne Hathaway's hair lore without mentioning her major chop in 2012 for her Oscar-winning performance as Fantine in Les Misérables. "I absolutely love this pixie cut on Anne," Giannetos gushes, "Quite frankly, this is my favorite look on her."

15 of 15

Tousled Low Ponytail

Anne Hathaway in a tousled ponytail in 2008.

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In 2008, Hathaway rocked a tousled ponytail at the Get Smart premiere. To recreate, Pags suggests starting with day-old hair and adding dry texture spray or mousse to your roots to get that piece-y look.

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