There's something so timeless and charming about the fashion and beauty of the 1950s – and the decade's vintage blonde hair colour might be one of our favourites. A signature of many of the eras top stars, the muted golden shade became synonymous with Hollywood's elite. Worn scooped up alongside ballgowns for gala and red carpet events or tucked under silk hair scarfs, with cat-eye sunglasses and drop-top convertibles for off-duty days, the glamour of it still stands out today.
But, for 2026 we love how it can work alongside our more casual wardrobes to add a touch of sophistication. Heading into autumn, as our style tends to get a bit preppier, the hair shade works beautifully. In fact, it's the perfect companion to the chunky funnel neck, loafers and cosy socks combo we're envisioning up ahead.
What is vintage blonde?
The shade references the hair colour of vintage Hollywood icons Grace Kelly, Doris Day and Brigitte Bardot. Essentially an elevated, natural, baby blonde, it blends sun-kissed blonde with deeper undertones and natural roots to give a softer effect. Pretty ribbons of beige, oat and muted gold are woven seamlessly through the crown and lengths to give a gentler nod to light blonde. They work beautifully against a natural root to keep it all feeling grounded – it makes upkeep a little more low-maintenance, too.
Why is vintage blonde trending?
Vintage blonde is one of those shades that never really goes out of fashion, but we've seen its popularity grow even more recently. “Right now, we're seeing a shift from icy white tones towards softer, sun worn shades that look as though they've naturally lightened over time,” explains key opinion leader at Jerome Russell Bblonde and celebrity hair stylist, Jason Collier, whose clients include Sienna Miller. Your hair colour should look “like you've spent weeks in the sunshine, not hours in the salon,” he insists.
A big part of the appeal is that the shade manages to look glamorous and noteworthy, without feeling overdone. “It's bright without being platinum and warm without looking brassy, making it one of the most wearable blonde shades of the year,” Jason says. Added to this is the fact that it's so versatile. “It suits such a wide range of people,” notes Jason. “The combination of neutral and warm tones makes it flattering on light to medium skin tones, but it can be tailored to complement deeper complexions by introducing slightly richer golden or caramel pieces,” he explains.
And, it can help break the cycle if you want to wean your hair off the bleach a little. “It's an ideal option for anyone wanting to soften a harsh blonde or grow out a brighter colour, as the finish is more forgiving and doesn't demand constant maintenance,” confirms Jason. “The overall effect is healthy, natural looking hair with plenty of depth and movement,” he says.
How to get and maintain vintage blonde?
To get a golden era vintage blonde “you'll want to ask for a multi tonal blonde rather than one flat shade. Thin ribbons of beige, sandy blonde and soft golden tones should be woven through the hair to create dimension, avoiding anything that's too ashy or overly yellow,” says Jason. Depending on your starting point, it may be a journey to get to your desired shade. “It's all about lifting gradually and choosing a soft, natural looking blonde rather than chasing the lightest possible result,” says Jason. You'll also want to tone it regularly, with something like Jerome Russell Colorbomb Colour Depositing Mask in Warm Blonde as this keeps the colour salon fresh and in good condition," Jason recommends.
How to wear vintage blonde?
We've rounded up some of our favourite ways to wear vintage blonde below.
