The Wolf Cut Is Dead and Heres What Replaced It

Remember when everyone wanted a wolf cut? That shaggy, mullet-adjacent style dominated 2023 and most of 2024. Now stylists are reporting a sharp decline in requests – and a new cut is taking its place.

What Killed the Wolf Cut

The problem with the wolf cut was always the grow-out. Those dramatic layers looked amazing fresh from the salon, but two months later? Most people ended up with an unintentional mullet that required serious correction.

Stylists also note that the wolf cut was extremely hard to maintain without regular trims. For a style that was supposed to look “effortless,” it required a lot of effort.

The Butterfly Cut Takes Over

Enter the butterfly cut – essentially a more refined, face-framing version of the wolf cut. It keeps the movement and layers but places them more strategically around the face. The back stays more uniform instead of going full shag.

Why people prefer it: better grow-out, easier styling, works for more hair types.

Not Ready to Let Go?

If you still love your wolf cut, you don’t have to abandon it completely. Many stylists are offering a “tamed wolf” option that keeps the spirit of the original but with softer, more blended layers. It’s basically the wolf cut’s mature older sibling.

The key is finding a stylist who understands modern layer placement. Ask to see their work on Instagram before booking.