A big hair trend for Autumn/Winter 14 is the return of the plaits.Set to be bigger than the ponytail, summer is the perfect time to try them out as they’ll keep your hair off your face in the heat and will help create effortless beachy waves too. From halo braids to French pleats and easy plaits you don’t even need a mirror for, see our age-friendly plaits here…
Sandra Taylor, 47
Teaming a plait with your usual parting and fringe softens the style. If you’re a plait newbie, start with Sandra’s relaxed style. Blow dry hair as normal, then gently tease at the crown to add some height. Next, plait the lengths at the side loosely, letting the hair escape on either side for a soft finish. Beautiful!
Teaming a plait with your usual parting and fringe softens the style. If you’re a plait newbie, start with Sandra’s relaxed style. Blow dry hair as normal, then gently tease at the crown to add some height. Next, plait the lengths at the side loosely, letting the hair escape on either side for a soft finish. Beautiful!
Eva Longoria, 39
Eva shows off her ombre locks with this simple plait. First, apply a smoothing serum to tame any frizz or flyaway and put the length of your hair back in a tight pony. Plat the hair, starting in the centre until you reach the end and secure with an invisi-bobble or thin hairband – this look is all about keeping it sleek!
Eva shows off her ombre locks with this simple plait. First, apply a smoothing serum to tame any frizz or flyaway and put the length of your hair back in a tight pony. Plat the hair, starting in the centre until you reach the end and secure with an invisi-bobble or thin hairband – this look is all about keeping it sleek!
Emma Stone, 25
Gorgeous Emma shows us how a plait can be the perfect style for an effortlessly chic look. A look that looks great on any length, part hair in a deep side parting and loosely plait on one side. Finish the look by wrapping strands of hair around your bobble, for a beachy look that’s perfect for a night out.
Gorgeous Emma shows us how a plait can be the perfect style for an effortlessly chic look. A look that looks great on any length, part hair in a deep side parting and loosely plait on one side. Finish the look by wrapping strands of hair around your bobble, for a beachy look that’s perfect for a night out.
Heidi Klum, 41
Is there anything this woman can’t pull off? Heidi looks fabulous sporting a cornrow-style ‘do, with two french plaits creating the effect. A daring style, but, if you’re going to try it, team it with plenty of bling!
Is there anything this woman can’t pull off? Heidi looks fabulous sporting a cornrow-style ‘do, with two french plaits creating the effect. A daring style, but, if you’re going to try it, team it with plenty of bling!
Lily Allen, 29
Lily’s known for her daring hair styles, but we love this rather demure look on her! Part hair on one side and part into thick, loose plaits. Next, wrap the hair around the front of your hairline and pin into place. Have some fun with this style – there’s no right or wrong way of doing it!
Lily’s known for her daring hair styles, but we love this rather demure look on her! Part hair on one side and part into thick, loose plaits. Next, wrap the hair around the front of your hairline and pin into place. Have some fun with this style – there’s no right or wrong way of doing it!
Cat Deeley, 37
Long hair lengths were made to experiment with so copy Cat Deeley and swish yours to one side. We love this look, just wrap two sections of hair together instead of plaiting three sections! Easy peasy.
Nicole Scherzinger, 35
If you want a twist on traditional braids, split hair into two sections with a centre parting then plait from the crown of your head into a low chiffon like Nicole. It’s all about a smooth and sleek finish so banish flyaways with lots of hairspray.
Myleene Klass, 36
We never thought we’d say it but pigtail plaits can work on women over 30! Keeping them soft and stopping the braids half way down each pigtail, Myleene makes the look her own. The other big tip is to keep the hair band the same shade as your natural hair colour – it’s more grown up.
Emma Stone, 25
Simple and understated, this plait will suit everyone of every age with every hair length. Feed the hair from back towards your crown into the hair around your hairline to keep it neat and tight and then just pin behind your ear, covering the ends with the rest of your hair. Emma Stone gets it spot on, again!
Mel B, 38
Choosing a traditional plait, Mel B adds volume through the front sections of her hair with a bit of backcombing and then twists her hair into a neat braid at the back. Add some volumising spray or dry shampoo to make your braids look nice and thick, even if they’re not!
Olivia Palmero, 28
For a sophisticated updo take note from Olivia Palmero and opt for a messy side plait. To stop it looking too girly, push your hair upwards after securing to give it some extra texture – a great option for fine hair.
Julianne Hough, 25
Julianne Hough gets the boho look spot on with a simple side plait. Keeping the focus to one side really helps open up your face and can help take years off.
Diane Kruger, 37
Gorgeous tiny plaits like Diane’s suit all ages. Separate hair into 20 sections, roughly plait each one then pin them to the base of your head in no particular order – perfect if you struggle with updos normally because there’s no precision needed!
Amber Heard, 28 For a modern feel copy Amber Heard’s half swept back style that looks effortlessly cool. This style works whatever your hair length and should be a go-to hairstyle for summer parties! Team with statement earrings for extra style points.
Jennifer Lawrence, 23
We love Jennifer’s relaxed updo that’s so easy to copy! Just plait small sections of hair all the way around your head then keep your fringe or a few sections of hair out around the front to frame your face.
Bella Thorne, 25
If you’ve tried a few plaits by now and are ready to take things to the next level, add an accessory. We love Bella Thorne’s fun and flirty fishtail side plait and coloured ribbons – a fab way to update your summer style.
Kelly Osbourne, 29
Not a style for the faint hearted Kelly Osbourne sticks to her punk roots by adding some metal accessories alongside her braids. If this is a little OTT for you, ditch the clip ins’ and keep things simple.
Blake Lively, 26
A shining example of how plaits can work for every occasion (wedding guests and brides looking for hair inspiration take note!), Blake Lively pulls her hair into a high ponytail and then chooses a simple plait over a swinging ponytail. A fab way to show off the detail in the back of her dress, it’s super sexy too!
Emilia Fox, 39
Wearing a plait around the front of your updo doesn’t mean you have to keep it close to the hairline. We love Emilia’s look that gives height and volume at the front and lets her whispy front sections fall free. Soft, feminine and sophisticated.
January Jones, 36
She’s one of our hair icons so it’s no surprise January Jones looks gorgeous with a plait too. We love her messy thick side braid. By letting it look a bit skew-wiff it’s not as schoolgirly and the texture and loose strands around her face stop it looking it severe.
Kate Hudson, 35
A deconstructed loose plait, Kate has separated her hair into three tendrils, plaited them but rather than securing them with a band, has let them untwist naturally so it gives a relaxed, wavy look.
Kristin Cavallari, 27
A beautiful relaxed look, halo braids work when you’re wearing your hair down too. Great for giving your look a bit of volume because of the height it creates on and around your head, if you’ve got fine hair wave it first and then add the plait like Kristen Cavallari.
A beautiful relaxed look, halo braids work when you’re wearing your hair down too. Great for giving your look a bit of volume because of the height it creates on and around your head, if you’ve got fine hair wave it first and then add the plait like Kristen Cavallari.
Ashley Roberts, 32
Really easy to recreate, plaiting just the front sections of your hair like Ashley Roberts works on hair of all lengths. If it’s long pull the length back into a bun and if it’s bobbed or mid-length just tuck and grip the ends behind your ears.
Lily Allen, 29
Lily does it again! Pulling her hair into two different plaits that start from a deep side parting, Lily’s braided updo gives a nod to Grecian plaits. Alternatively try it from a higher side parting – it won’t look as drastic and stick to one briad rather than two.
Anna Kendrick, 28
We love American actress, Anna Kendrick’s ponytail that she’s tweaked by adding some soft loose plaits through the sides. Subtle but striking and totally on trend, add as few or as little as you like!
Sinitta, 45
If you’ve got long hair, plaits can have a tendancy to look little girly so just braid a few sections at the front like Sinnita to keep it off your face – practical and stylish and a good option for thick hair.
Bella Thorne, 16
OK she might be younger but this pretty braided look that starts at the crown of Bella’s head gives her hair an extra something special without looking OTT or inappropriate. Keep the rest of your hair straight or wave them depending on your mood and hair type.
Zoe Saldana, 35
Accessorising her updo with an all around plait, also known as a halo braid, create this look using your own hair or for shorter hair fake it with a plaited hair extension head band. Colour match it with your natural hair colour and no-one will ever know!
For more hair inspiration read…
Hairstyles to suit a heart shaped face
Hairstyles that suit long face shapes
The most iconic hairstyles ever!