Zendaya's Flapper Curls Are So Fun & Elegant
Our take
Zendaya’s recent embrace of flapper-inspired curls at the *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* event isn’t merely a charming hairstyle; it’s a subtle but significant nod to a cyclical return in fashion and a testament to her consistent ability to redefine classic aesthetics. The chin-length bob, styled with soft, undulating waves reminiscent of the 1920s, feels both playful and incredibly chic. It speaks to a broader trend we’ve been observing – a fascination with vintage silhouettes reinterpreted for a modern sensibility. This echoes the Y2K revival demonstrated by Millie Bobby Brown’s recent vintage Roberto Cavalli look [Millie Bobby Brown's Y2K Dress Is Perfect For Summer Vacation], and the way Sarah Jessica Parker continues to channel Carrie Bradshaw's maximalist spirit [Sarah Jessica Parker's Latest Summer Outfit Is Very Carrie Bradshaw] – all highlighting a desire for nostalgic style, but with a contemporary perspective. Even amidst the frenzy of sales and deals like those highlighted in our Prime Day coverage [Prime Day Ends Tonight—Grab These Editor-Approved Fashion Deals While They’re Still on Sale], this understated elegance stands out.
The beauty of Zendaya’s choice lies in its restraint. It’s not a full-blown costume recreation, but a carefully curated moment that evokes the glamour of the Jazz Age without feeling performative. The subtle nod to the past allows her personal style to shine through, demonstrating how historical references can be integrated into a modern look seamlessly. This aligns perfectly with the current cultural mood, which favors a sense of timelessness and curated individuality over fleeting trends. The flapper era, with its emphasis on liberation and self-expression, also resonates with contemporary values, making this hairstyle a surprisingly apt choice for a modern icon. It’s a demonstration of how fashion can be both a reflection of and a contributor to evolving social narratives.
Beyond the purely aesthetic appeal, Zendaya’s influence extends to how we perceive and engage with style. She doesn’t dictate trends; she subtly shapes them, showcasing how to incorporate historical elements in a way that feels authentic and aspirational. This is a key differentiator – she embodies a quiet confidence in her choices, a sense of self-assuredness that inspires rather than overwhelms. It’s the essence of modern femininity, a concept that prioritizes personal expression and understated elegance. The image itself is visually striking, and the lack of overt explanation reinforces the elegance, letting the image and the feeling it evokes do most of the talking, a strategy that resonates with the appreciation for mood and atmosphere that defines contemporary luxury.
Ultimately, Zendaya’s flapper curls serve as a reminder that fashion is a conversation—a dialogue between the past, present, and future. It's a cyclical process of reinterpretation and reinvention, and she's proving to be a masterful participant in that ongoing exchange. The question now is, how will other celebrities and style icons continue to draw inspiration from the early 20th century, and will this subtle nod to the Roaring Twenties evolve into a more significant fashion movement, or remain a fleeting moment of nostalgic charm?
There’s never exactly a bad time to be a Zendaya fan, but we’re certainly living in one of the best. The actor has been on an absolutely generational run this year, garnering praise for her performance in the (otherwise polarizing) final season of Euphoria and starring in A24’s massively successful dramedy The Drama. And of course, she’s been lighting up red carpets with her daring fashion and beauty choices the entire time — it’s truly been the spring of Zendaya. And if the gorgeous flapper curls she wore to a recent event are any indication, it’s about to the summer of Zendaya, too.
For a June 26 photo call for Spider-Man: Brand New Day in London, the actor and her go-to hairstylist, Ursula Stephen, opted to style the star’s chin-length bob in a subtly 1920s fashion, with two swopping pin curls at the side of the face in front of her ears. The bangs were slightly directed to the side, and the entire style had what could perhaps best be described as a “sightly moulded” look — not completely gelled, but definitely controlled. (Not dissimilar from the “First Lady”-esque coiff she wore to a fan event for the film.)
The hairdo was the perfect complement to her a dress, a celestial slip from John Galliano’s Spring/Summer 1997 ready-to-wear collection that gave a whole new meaning to “a little commotion for the back of the dress.”
By pulling out just two curls (instead of having them line the entire hairline, Betty Boop-style) and leaning into that glossy, controlled finish, the hairstyle struck the perfect balance between cheeky, knowing fun and high elegance — but honestly, when doesn’t Zendaya’s glam achieve exactly that?
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