‘Commuter Girl Hair’ Is the Easiest Updo We’re Copying From the Catwalks

On any given day, it feels like your daily commute has a death wish for your hair. I’m a morning shower type of person so few things start my day off on the wrong note quite like the year-round wall of humidity on the tube or train that instantly makes me feel like repeating the process all over again.

Spring’s unpredictable duo of warm temperatures and rain showers are the final nail in the coffin, making perfectly blow-dried hair feel limper than a damp sock.

So right now I’m taking my cue from the commuter or “subway” hair that headlined at Sandy Liang’s autumn-winter 2025 show in New York, where models worked damp ponytails, sporty-girl waves, and hair effortlessly twisted into the ultimate ’90s hair accessory: a claw clip.

Now this was speaking my hair love language.

It’s almost as though hairstylist Evanie Frausto (Sabrina Carpenter and Bella Hadid are clients) was viewing beauty through a Vaseline-smudged-lens—and I’m here for the realness. The effect was a little sweaty—like you’ve just thrown your hair off your neck or pulled a hat off your head to cool down. Oh, and yes, it’s seriously hot—in every sense of the word.

“The inspiration behind the ‘subway’ hair look is all about that effortless, cool-girl vibe,” Frausto says. “She knows she’s hot and doesn’t need to try too hard to prove it. It’s a look that feels natural and lived-in, like she just rolled out of bed looking this chic. It’s low-maintenance but still makes a statement—perfectly imperfect. She’s confident, on the go, and isn’t concerned with being overly polished, which just makes her even cooler.”

In other words, this is “’90s London girl hair” 2.0.

How to get the commuter hair look

When recreating any of Frausto’s commuter hair looks, remember “it’s all about minimal effort and an undone vibe,” he says.

For the ponytail, start by finding a deep side part. “Begin by applying Amika’s The Wizard leave-in conditioner with a bit of water to smooth your hair, using mainly your hands as tools to keep it natural and effortless,” he says.

Spritz each section of hair with hairspray as you scoop it into a ponytail to maintain that lived-in look, recommends Evanie. Then pull a few strands out around your face and add a little hair oil to the ends.

For the claw clip updo, “gather your ponytail, twist it up, and round it at the top, making sure the ends are pointing straight down instead of poking straight up, and secure it with the clip,” Frausto says. “The key is to keep it slightly messy and not too perfect, maintaining that chic, effortless vibe.”

A trend that takes a common beauty ‘mishap’ and makes it the next big cool-girl look? Seriously, what’s not to love?

Commuter hair ideas

This post was originally published in Glamour UK.