The Side Part is Back: How to Rock This Classic Look in 2025
The Side Part is Back: How to Rock This Classic Look in 2025
The side part is making a triumphant comeback this year, even though the middle part has reigned supreme for decades. Celebrities and runway trends are reviving this timeless style—which spells great news for anyone whose part naturally leans that way (no matter how much hair spray tries to convince it otherwise).
Even if you aren’t someone that has to wrangle an unruly natural side part, the style is definitely worth embracing. One reason? A side part can add instant polish and frame your features in an ultra-flattering way.
Let’s take a closer look at more reasons why this classic style is mainstream again.
Why the Side Part is Making a Comeback
So, why are side parts all the rage in 2025? For starters, trends often repeat every 15-20 years. Therefore, it was only a matter of time before the popular early-2000s style made its way back into the spotlight. This revived favorite has even been dubbed the “millennial look” as a nod to its Y2K roots.
Another reason for the resurgence is the shift away from the smooth and polished “clean girl” look, an aesthetic which favors the middle part, to more natural and easily maintained styles.
Celebrity trendsetters like Alexandra Daddario, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zendaya, Dakota Fanning and Selena Gomez are also fueling the resurgence, with all of them sporting sleek side parts at the Golden Globes in January.
The trend also made a bold statement at the 2025 New York Fashion Week runways, where millennial-inspired parts took center stage. According to ELLE, the Christopher John Rogers show featured the BANG BANG look—a signature side part with a structured side-swept bang—designed to embody “a confident woman with a decisive sense of style.”
How to Make the Side Part Work for You
If you’re thinking about updating your look with a side part, here are a few reasons why it might work for you:
Versatility – Whether your hair is straight, wavy, or curly, the side part easily adapts to different textures, styles, and lengths.
Flattering Effect – This look enhances facial features by softening strong angles or defining structure, making it a great choice for a variety of face shapes.
Modern Appeal – Side parts offer a sophisticated and chic look, whether styled sleek and straight or with a more relaxed, wavy texture.
Hair Health Benefits – Regularly switching your part to different areas on your scalp can help reduce stress, prevent breakage, and minimize repeated exposure to damaging heat and styling products.
Best Side Part Styles for Different Hair Types
Celebrity hairstylists often switch up the parts on clients to flatter their hair type. It’s also a good way to bring on different facets of their look and keep them on trend. The most suitable one for you though, depends on the characteristics of your hair’s texture, length, and how much you want to emphasize your features.
Here are four side part styles worth trying based on your hair type:
Deep Side Part for Drama – Best for thick or long hair, this look adds weight and dimension. Plus, it’s great for turning heads without going through a ton of styling effort.
Soft Side Part for Volume – If you have fine hair, this is the style for you. Soft side parts create the illusion of lift and fullness without using a gazillion hair products to get it there.
Side-Parted Bob – This take offers a sharp and modern update to the classic bob. It gives you just the right amount of chicness and asymmetry.
Side Part with Waves – A natural and sleek look that’s perfect for everyday wear. This style is all about soft texture and lived-in ease.
Flip-over parts are also having a moment and are especially well-suited for curls and coils that don’t love staying in a straight line. Plus, if you’re leaning into volume, there’s no better combination than a side part with a big-bouncy blowout. (Curious? Don’t miss LBTS Salon’s post: “The 90s Blowout is Back—Here’s How to Get the Bouncy Supermodel Look.”
How to Style the Perfect Side Part at Home
Salon side parts that hair stylists achieve for their clients often look polished and put together. However, getting that same volume and shape at home isn’t always so simple. It can take a little trial and error and finessing—perhaps even a few re-dos—but with the right tools and a few practice sessions you can absolutely recreate that freshly styled look.
What You’ll Need
To recreate the iconic side part style outside of a salon, you’ll need a round brush, blow dryer with a nozzle attachment, setting clips, and a lightweight texture or volume spray
How to Style It
Follow these steps to nail the the side part style yourself:
Start with damp hair. Apply a heat protectant and your go-to volume or texture spray while focusing on the roots.
Create your part. Use the end of a comb to draw your side part to where it feels most natural—then clip it into place to train it to stay in its new direction.
Blow dry for extra lift. Using a round brush, pull hair up and away from the part as you dry—aiming the nozzle at the roots to build lots of volume.
Use a cool setting to lock it in. Once dry, switch your dryer to cool and blast the part for a few seconds—this helps “freeze” your part in place.
Finish and finesse. Unclip your hair, smooth any flyaways, and add a little more texture spray or light hold product if needed.
Pro tip: If your hair wants to fall back to its old part, try styling it while it's still down and clipped. That will give it a little time to “learn” its new direction.
Get a Perfect Millenium Side Part at Live By the Sword
Ready to rock this classic look in 2025? At Live By the Sword, our expert stylists tailor every side part to your unique hair texture and face shape—whether you're going for soft and romantic or bold and structured. From precision cuts to voluminous blowouts, we use high end tools and products to give your side part movement, shape, and staying power.
Thinking of switching things up? Book your next styling session at our Brooklyn salon and let us show you how chic and modern the side part can be.