The side bang is back: the glorious rise of the “Older Sister Side Part” Millennials, it's our time to shine
I say it without shame: the side part is my comfort zone. Not just any aesthetic choice, but a reflection (literally) of how I want to look, and even more so, how I want to feel. When I hear someone say it’s “for old people,” I can’t help but smile. Because at some point, you stop wanting to be the trendiest person in the room and start wanting, simply, something that suits you. And nothing, for me, frames the face, lifts the spirit, and lightens the mood like a beautiful, deep side part. I don’t care if it’s not cool, if Gen Z sees this aesthetic choice as outdated. In fact, I might very well be the older sister, or even the mother, of a Gen Z girl, the one who gets labeled as “cringe” just because she sticks to a style she loves. But my love for the side part isn’t a nostalgic statement, it’s an act of authenticity. I love how a strategically placed strand falling over one eye can change everything. It gives me confidence. Maybe I’m not alone, because the side part is back. Cooler. Stronger. With more “older sister energy” than ever. Just ask Sabrina Carpenter and Hailey Bieber, if you don’t believe me.
The allure of asymmetry: the return of the side part
Symmetry may be charming in architecture, but on my hair it always feels a bit too... scholastic. There’s something suspicious about the perfection of the middle part, like it's trying to contain everything I want to let go of: volume, movement, messy strands, and a touch of mystery. The side part, on the other hand, knows me. It knows I have one better eyebrow, one cheek I like to soften, a bad day I want to cover with grace. It's not just a line in my hair, it's both a small declaration of independence and a precious ally. And if it occasionally hides a surprise pimple or makes me look more rested, all the better.
@rachelocool OLDER SISTERS LETS GO (Like I said check out @dellara serving up so much useful info rn) #sidepart #hairtutorial The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
The older sister knows best
The older sister, to be clear, is the one who lived through the emo era, the days of Juicy Tubes, MySpace profiles, and TRL. She also grew up watching Buffy, reading piles of magazines, without smartphones or social media, spending hours in front of Brand New and Kitchen, wearing low-rise jeans, moshing under the stage at Marlene Kuntz and Il Teatro degli Orrori. She’s the one who still knows all the Afterhours lyrics by heart, keeps an anti-wrinkle cream in her drawer, is considering starting butt skincare, and can explain the difference between azelaic acid and ferulic acid. That could be me. Or @rachelocool, who in a viral TikTok video shared how to get the perfect “older sister side part”, turning nostalgia into generational rebranding. Think of a soft, slightly off-center part, like Cher Horowitz. Curious? Grab a metal rat-tail comb, place its tip at the hairline, trace a diagonal about 2.5 cm back, then flip the front section across the part so it lays on the other side and creates volume. Then trace a line from the end of that section back to the middle. Think zigzag, then zag. For true “older sister” energy, add a layered fringe like Rachel Green or a side-swept bang. Finish with a tortoiseshell clip or sparkly barrette. Voilà: you’ve just silenced years of aesthetic mockery from Gen Z.
Runways, red carpets, and Instagram feeds: the side part is back
Whether messy, deep, zigzag, or softly off-center, the side part has made a triumphant return for Spring/Summer 2025. At Saint Laurent, Duffy paired side parts with sharp suits and intense gazes; at Chanel Cruise 2026, Anthony Turner turned it into a symbol of grit and glamour. Others dared more: Vivienne Westwood left strands free, rebellious, falling. At Missoni, a geometric zigzag part looked like a nod to '90s graphics. But it’s on the red carpet hairstyles that the side part has truly taken root. Hailey Bieber at the Met Gala 2025? Impeccable. Glossy waves, laser-precise part, and that effortless effect hiding at least six hours of hair prep. Sabrina Carpenter made it more pop and romantic: strategic clips, dramatic strands, and a Gossip Girl-core allure that makes you want to hoard accessories from Lelet NY, Sasstie, and Leontine Vintage.
Curls, waves, straight hair: the side part doesn’t discriminate
Not all side parts are created equal. There’s one for every hair type, need, and mood. If you have curly hair, flip it when damp, apply a curl-defining cream (maybe coconut-, vanilla, or ocean-scented), and let it air dry or use a diffuser. Wavy hair works best with a soft, undefined side part, letting natural texture shine through, like you didn’t even check a mirror. If your hair is straight, here’s a trick: sweep it toward the fuller side, lightly tease at the roots, and tuck the shorter strands behind the ear for structure illusion. Use fingers instead of a comb for a more effortless finish. It sounds tricky, but once you find your magic combo, it becomes second nature.
Beyond the aesthetics: the beauty benefits of the side part
Yes, even science backs side parts, urging a switch from the middle part, or at least alternating styles. Not just for strategic volume, but also because, surprise, it benefits scalp health. Experts say changing the part stimulates circulation, reduces tension stress, and may even help balance the scalp microbiome. So no, it’s not just an aesthetic whim. It’s self-care. With a touch of vanity, sure, but who said those can’t coexist?
Why choose the side part?
The side part is both a styling choice and an aesthetic language. With its ability to create movement, add volume, and soften features, it’s the perfect antithesis to the strict, symmetrical, slightly authoritarian middle part. But to me, it says more than it shows. In a world where trends change faster than my sleep cycle, sticking to something that makes you feel good is a small act of daily rebellion. The side part is mine. It’s how I say: I don’t want to look younger, I want to look more like myself. It makes me feel in control even when I’m not, grounded even when I feel out of place. And yes, it makes me feel a little less ugly, which is never a thing to underestimate. If that means being the older sister, or even Gen Z’s mom, I’ll take it. Because in the end, nothing is more current than what makes you feel good in your skin (and your hair).
