'The reason everyone's growing their hair out right now has nothing to do with style.'

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When Leslie Bibb debuted her "c-nty little bob" (her hairstylist's own words) in The White Lotus season 3, it was official: long hair was out, and the edgy bob was in.

Soon enough, the French bob (first popularised by artsy Parisian women of the roaring 20s) became one of the most requested haircuts of the year. It wasn't surprising.

After all, the haircut screeeeamed old money; like a Gatsby party or a Coco Chanel runway.

But now, much like the character of Gatsby, it seems the c-nty bob is dead.

The haircut that became the most requested last year is no more. Image: Getty.

And we've noticed.

When Jessie Stephens made an observation on Mamamia's Out Loud podcast on Friday, the discussion it sparked was immediate.

"Have you noticed that everyone's hair is long again?" Jessie asked co-hosts, Holly Wainwright and Em Vernem.

The question immediately jumped out, because yes, I have noticed this too. At work, on the streets, at pubs — it seems everyone is either talking about growing their hair out, or letting their long locks flow.

But why?

According to Jessie, New York Times journalist Vanessa Friedman has the answer.

"Friedman writes that we are in a 'Rapunzel age,'" Jessie said on the podcast. "And a number of factors are contributing."

Watch: Apparently we're in the midst of a 'Rapunzel Era'. Post continues after video.

Jessie explained that, in the Eurocentric tradition, "long hair on women has always been associated with childhood and fertility", meaning that cutting it or pinning it up signified maturity.

"It's saying, I'm an adult now. People tell you that you have to get your haircut when you become a parent."

Until now.

"This myth that older women should have their haircut has been completely thrown out lately," she explained.

Holly agreed that it felt like an "act of rebellion" to have longer hair as an older woman, recalling a time an "expert in mature lady style" advised her to opt for a shorter hairstyle.

Listen to the full episode below. Post continues after video.

"People often say that to me … it feels, and maybe it is internalised ageism, but it feels like a 'young me' to have my long hair."

Jessie theorised this stemmed from the "ultra feminine ideal" that is associated with long hair, with Holly later describing it as a "male gaze" notion of beauty.

It's something that Em has related to from a young age.

"Ever since I was young… I thought every woman wanted to have short hair, but they couldn't have short hair because men prefer long hair," she said on the podcast.

Jessie confessed she had experienced this gender stereotype in high school.

"I cut my hair quite short and one of the boys said to me, 'You cut your hotness off.'"

For Holly, "the idea that it is still deeply ingrained that men prefer longer hair in heterosexual situations is so depressing".

I tried the bob - it didn't last. Image: Supplied.

The chat got me thinking about my own relationship with my hair.

I, myself, cut my hair off a few years ago; back when an interstate move coincided with a quarter-life crisis.

Of course, it was easier (and cheaper) to maintain. But, it didn't last.

And I'm embarrassed to admit the reasons why.

I was approaching my late 20s when, suddenly, I had a panic that I was running out of years I could "get away" with long hair.

In other words, I convinced myself I was about to "age out" of long hair, meaning I should embrace it while I could!! My 'c-nty bob' could have a renaissance once I was married with kids.

So, I grew my hair back out. And it's stayed like that ever since.

Yes, I have fallen victim to ageist and sexist beauty standards; I'm only human. Maybe it's time to be rebellious and reclaim the bob?

Or maybe I, like so many others, can embrace the Rapunzel age.

Feature Image: Supplied