Braids have come a LONG way from the playground. These days the look is on catwalks and ads everywhere, and the good news is, they translate gorgeously from backstage to bride (or bridesmaid).
Images from Lakme Fashion Week and India, Pakistan and London Fashion Show.
Think pretty plaited updos under your dupatta or a boho braid dotted with fresh flowers. Here’s our pick of the bunch.
The Braidy Bunch
The Braid Bar at Selfridges offers a menu of styles, starting from a bargalicious £15. As a bride, they may not be quite right for the wedding but they’d do the job for other events like the Sangeet, Mehndi and Hen. And if you’re a guest or bridesmaid looking for something fancier than a blow dry, look no further.
• www.TheBraidBar.co.uk
This pretty updo
Part plait, part chignon, all kinds of fabulous. We love this loose braid look that curves around the head. Pull out a few tendrils at the temple to frame your face, et voila! Instant chic. Hair by Olga Nikiforova Academy
This romantic mid-plait
If your hair isn’t naturally wavy, you’ll need to run sections through tongs to get these pretty waves. Highlight the look with a bridal hair vine, which you can buy from this Etsy shop.
This 'growing out fringe' saviour
Growing out a fringe when you’ve a special occasion coming up can be a nightmare. If you don’t know where to put those awkward lengths, this style comes to the rescue catching them neatly in a centre-parting braid.
Image from Pinterest
Or perhaps something a little unusual
From left to right: Stacked Dutch Crown Braid, Stacked Lace Fishtail Rosette Braids and Fishtail Mermaid Braid all by Braids By Jordan
This hair tiara, positioned just at the top of the head
Makeup by Richa Dave and Hair by Urvashi Dave. From Instagram
This easy look you can (probably) whip up in seconds
So fresh and pretty! From Maddy Land
This ‘business at the front, party at the back’ design
A dupatta would sit so well on this low braided chignon style, as worn by Olivia Culpo.
This bold braided bun
For a more statement look try this texturised bold plait tucked into a bun. Found on Instagram
They even get the ultimate seal of approval
If Sonam's wearing it, it's just a matter of time before we all are tbh