<text>  Everyone from Kim Kardashian and Margot Robbie to Rosamund Pike and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini have chopped off their long locks recently, making shorter hair a bona fide trend. But the rise in these shorter haircuts isnt just down to their flattering face-framing effects. According to the Sunday Times, the growing popularity of shorter haircuts is also sign of economic recovery, since they require more frequent trips to the salon and are therefore more pricey to maintain. Shorter haircuts, like Cheryl Fernandez-Versinis new bob right, are an indication that the economy is in recovery . Rosamund Pike wore a longer style in Gone Girl left but recently she went for the chop right, in February Celebrity hairdresser Stuart Phillips, whose clients have included Serena Williams and Jamie Oliver, told the newspaper that he believes shorter hairdos are a sure sign that the economy is bouncing back. He said: Products are flying off the shelf, more than they used to even a few months ago. And its not just the fact that shorter styles require more sprays and gels. The upkeep of a lob long bob or pixie crop is also time-consuming, with some women having to visit the salon every four to six weeks to maintain the look. Margot Robbie went from one dramatic hairstyle left, in March 2014 to another right, in February 2015 Jourdan Dunn left, in July 2014 made waves when she got her chin-length lob right, in February 2015 Kristen Stewart transformed her long auburn locks left, in May 2014 to an equally daring short style right, in February 2015 By contrast, women with longer hair can leave it a few months before going in to top up their trims. With short hair you need to keep it in shape, explained Mr Phillips. With long hair, a lot of women tend to leave it months on end. Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, who is the face of LOreal, debuted her new layered bob just last week on the Graham Norton Show. And Aussie actress Margot Robbie chose the Oscars to show off her new shorter blonde look. A-list trends may not be the best indication of a pattern in the real world, but according to hairdresser Drew Foster, who owns Foster Hair Beauty in Londons Shoreditch neighbourhood, non-famous women are also following suit. Sienna Miller traded in her hippie-chic long waves left, in March 2014 for a side-swept lob right, in January Scarlett Johansson had longer locks in March 2014 left. But now, she has a very edgy pixie cut right, February Girls are going shorter, he told the MailOnline, adding that his salon charges about 48 for a bob, with women tending to come in every six weeks to maintain the style. But Mr Foster feels that the trend is more a sign of modernity than of economic change, since women visit salons even during a recession because they see it as a way of treating themselves. In any case, he says hes definitely a fan of the new It-style. He said: It used to be that girls had long hair and men had short. Finally its 2015 and things have shifted - and I think thats very exciting. Its not just hair that gets shorter during a recovery - rising hemlines are also an indication that the economy is on the up. And judging by this years London Fashion Week shows, where labels including Topshop, Julien Macdonald and Giles showcased leg-baring A-line minis, its a trend that is here to stay. 