Anyone that knows me knows that I absolutely love Friends. I must have seen each season about five times now, but there’s something so comforting about the popular ’90s show. Although I’m a big fan of each and every cast member, if I had to pick a favourite, it would definitely be Rachel. In fact, growing up, I was desperate to be just like her.
Whenever people ask me why, I give them a number of reasons. Not only did the character work in fashion, but she had the best wardrobe I’d ever seen, not to mention the best hair. It seems I’m not the only one obsessed with her choppy, layered locks, as Jennifer Aniston’s haircut on the show was coined “the Rachel” a long while back, and it’s currently having a major revival.
As you can see above, this cut usually sits at about shoulder length and contains lots of choppy layers that add volume to the hair. You can also incorporate face-framing layers or curtain bangs for the ultimate ’90s look. Aniston famously added caramel and honey-coloured highlights to her hair back when she was filming the show, and I love how it lightens the layers and adds even more dimension.
Although the haircut was super popular when Friends first aired, I’ve been seeing lots of people re-create the look in recent years, and my TikTok feed is currently filled with people sporting the Rachel cut. In fact, the hashtag #rachelgreenhaircut has a whopping 12.9 million views. That and Rachel Green herself, Jennifer Aniston, just revived the layered style for her look at the 2024 Golden Globes, creating a viral moment in the process. With a longer finish and glossier colour, I’d go as far as to say her latest iteration of the style is even better than the OG.
What I love about this style is that there are so many different ways to wear it, and everyone is giving it their own modern spin. From the butterfly haircut to the shaggy bob, there are lots of variations to try this autumn.
However, if you want to stick to Rachel’s classic cut, keep on scrolling for some updated throwback inspo.
Zendaya is definitely channeling her inner Rachel as of late.
Next Up: I’m Calling It—the “Hush Cut” Will Be Autumn’s Coolest Hair Trend
