The rise of hairy young women: ‘I know people who dye their armpit hair, so it stands out more’

When Phoebe Bridgers appeared at Venice international film festival with unshaven legs this weekend, it shouldn’t have made headlines – but did. What do young women make of the current expectations around depilation? In 2026, female body hair feels as if it should be the least of anyone’s concerns.

But although we may think we’ve come a long way since Julia Roberts’ unshaven underarm caused a furore at the 1999 London premiere of Notting Hill, depilation remains a staple of many women’s grooming routines – and when singer turned actor Phoebe Bridgers made her Venice film festival debut last weekend, her unshaven legs still made headlines. Even so, her au naturel look may signal that attitudes are changing – particularly among…