In 2026, discussions around female body hair might seem trivial, yet the topic continues to generate significant attention. Despite perceptions of progress since Julia Roberts sparked controversy with her unshaven underarms at the 1999 London premiere of “Notting Hill,” many women still adhere to depilation as part of their grooming habits. This was highlighted recently when singer-turned-actress Phoebe Bridgers drew media attention for her unshaven legs during her debut at the Venice Film Festival.

Bridgers’ choice to embrace her natural look may reflect shifting attitudes, particularly among younger demographics. Vogue noted that “instead of diminishing femininity, unapologetic body hair enhances it,” and the 32-year-old’s hairy calves received a mostly positive response online. However, how do women from Generation Z and Millennials feel about forgoing shaving?

Anna Busuttil, a 27-year-old PhD student, expressed her enthusiasm: “Absolutely! I think it’s fantastic; it’s cool and rebellious.” This sentiment echoed among many women she encountered near University College London’s Bloomsbury campus. Busuttil observed a growing number of women opting not to remove their body hair, mentioning friends who even dye their armpit hair vibrant colors to make it stand out. She noted that leg hair seems to carry a heavier societal stigma, as legs are often viewed as a highly feminine and attractive feature.

Francesca Hall, 25, shares a similar perspective. While she chooses to shave her legs, she feels less pressure regarding her underarm hair. Hall has noticed a cultural shift toward more conservative views and believes that in her social circles, particularly among her queer and left-leaning friends, not shaving is becoming more accepted. “There is definitely a correlation,” she says about the acceptance of body hair in those communities.

Phoebe Green, a 21-year-old student, confidently displayed her unshaven legs, stating, “I don’t pay much attention to trends; having leg hair doesn’t impact my life.” Although she has received condescending comments from some men, she also enjoys support from women, noting a strong sense of solidarity.

Venus Whyte, a 23-year-old children’s nurse, believes that while younger generations are slowly changing their views on body hair, societal pressures still exist. “I feel the need to shave if I’m wearing something that shows my legs, but that’s just what makes me comfortable,” she explained.

Contrarily, Wendi Fei, 24, views armpit hair as the more taboo aspect of female body hair, revealing that she plans to shave for her graduation ceremony. “I don’t think women need to shave—men aren’t expected to—but some women feel it’s unattractive,” she noted.

At the same event, Bridgers wore a Gucci skirt suit that showcased her natural legs while promoting her first acting role in A24’s psychological thriller “Primetime.” Fans online seemed to resonate with her bold choice, with one user expressing excitement over seeing a favorite artist embrace her leg hair in feminine attire, emphasizing that it should be normalized.

However, 22-year-old Matilda Moore raised concerns about social media’s role in perpetuating beauty standards. “Women shouldn’t feel pressured to remove body hair; it’s a personal choice,” she stated. Yet she acknowledged the backlash women can face for their appearance, which she finds unjust.

Sarah Cender, a 26-year-old postgraduate student, concurred that while many of her friends might appreciate the freedom of not shaving, they still worry about societal judgment. She noted that laser hair removal is increasingly preferred in her social group over traditional methods like shaving or waxing, allowing for a more permanent solution.

Hannah, a 30-year-old manager in legal and corporate services, shared that many of her friends are committed to laser hair removal, while she admits to being too lazy to even pluck her eyebrows. Reflecting on Bridgers’ choice, she exclaimed, “Good for her! I really admire that.”