19 Pretty Braided Hairstyles for Every Occasion

Braids are the prettiest way to wear your hair, and there is a reason we keep coming back to them: they protect your hair, keep you cool, and look chic whether you are heading to a wedding, a festival, or just out the door. From regal crown braids to romantic fishtails to the off-duty French and Dutch braids everyone knows, there is a style here to suit your hair and your day. Some are loose and carefree, others neat and dressed-up, and a few look far harder than they actually are. Here are the pretty braids below worth learning.

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French Braid

The classic braid everyone learns first, worked from the crown down with hair added in as you go. It suits a brunch, the office, or a wedding.

Adding hair as you braid is what keeps it neat and holds it all day. You can keep it smooth, or pull a few pieces loose for softness.

Braid down while feeding in sections from each side, and tie it off. Pull the braid gently wider once done for a fuller finish.

Dutch Braid

A reverse French braid, worked underhand so the plait sits raised up on top of the head rather than woven underneath. That lift is what makes it pop and look really bold.

Braiding under rather than over is really the whole difference here, giving a three-dimensional braid that stands out beautifully against the rest of the hair.

Braid down while crossing the strands under and adding hair. Let the tail hang loose, or gather two Dutch braids into pigtails.

Fishtail Braid

A tightly woven fishtail, far less complicated than it looks. It suits weddings, formal events, casual outings, and everyday wear equally well.

The intricate woven pattern is what makes this so pretty, and it works on short or long hair alike, since you can start it from a low pony.

Secure the hair in a low pony first to stop it unravelling, then cross small sections from the outside in. Tie it off and spritz to catch flyaways.

Boho Fishtail

A loose, side-swept fishtail braid full of romantic volume and soft texture. Pulling it apart afterward gives it that undone, boho quality that always feels relaxed.

Loosening the woven sections gently afterward is what gives this its full, lived-in look, and it drapes beautifully over one shoulder for photos.

Braid the fishtail loosely over to one side, then gently tug the sections wider for volume and fullness. Tuck in a few small flowers for a soft festival finish.

Crown Braid

A single braid wrapped around the head like a halo, one of the prettiest and most romantic braided looks. It has been worn for centuries and never dates.

Wrapping the braid around the crown is what gives this its regal, floral-halo shape, and it is a real favourite for weddings and events especially.

Braid one or two sections and wrap them around the head, pinning as you go along. Fan the braid out to make it lacier, and add baby's breath for a wedding.

Waterfall Braid

A braid worked across the head that drops strands as it goes, so the length cascades below like a waterfall. It is delicate, soft, and romantic.

Dropping a section each time and picking up a new one is what creates the waterfall effect, leaving pretty strands falling loose below.

Braid across the head, releasing the lower strand and picking up fresh hair each time you cross. Secure it behind the ear and leave the rest of the length loose.

Milkmaid Braid

Two braids wrapped up and over the head like a crown, a sweet, folk-inspired look that keeps the hair off your neck. It suits warm days and events.

Wrapping the two braids up and over the top is what gives this its milkmaid shape, both romantic and a little vintage at the same time.

Braid two sections, cross them up and over the top of your head, and pin the ends underneath. Leave a few soft pieces loose at the front to soften it.

Braided Bun

A braid gathered and coiled into a bun, mixing the texture of a braid with the neatness of an updo. It suits weddings, work, and everyday wear.

Braiding the hair before you coil it is what adds the depth and detail, so the finished bun looks far more intricate than a plain twisted one.

Braid the hair, wrap it into a bun, and pin it well. Pull the braid slightly looser before pinning, and add fresh flowers or pearl pins for an occasion.

Braided Half-Up

The top section braided and gathered while the rest of the hair hangs loose below. It keeps the front pretty and off the face while showing the length.

Braiding the gathered section is what lifts this above a plain half-up, giving a soft, romantic finish for any day or occasion.

Braid a section at the crown or the sides, gather the top, and secure it. Leave the length in soft waves and add a small clip if you like.

Braided Ponytail

A ponytail with a braid running into it or the tail itself braided, which draws the eye up and adds pretty detail. It works for the office, gym, or a date.

Working a braid into the pony is what makes it feel considered rather than plain, and it stays neat and secure through a whole busy day.

Braid a section before gathering it up, or plait the whole tail. Secure with a clear elastic and wrap a braid around the base to hide it neatly.

Double Dutch Braids

Two Dutch braids running side by side down the head, sporty and pretty at once. The raised, woven pattern looks finished and keeps everything in place.

Braiding two under-woven plaits side by side is what gives this its bold, symmetrical look, popular for festivals and active days especially.

Part down the middle and braid each side close to the scalp toward the back of the head. Let the tails hang loose, or tuck them under into a low updo.

Mermaid Braid

Also known as the rib cage braid, a full, intricate braid that looks like woven scales. It takes practice but becomes a real showpiece once mastered.

The elaborate woven pattern is what makes this so eye-catching, which makes it ideal for a special occasion where you want a real statement braid.

Deep condition first so the hair is healthy and shiny before you start. Work the sections carefully and pull them out gently for that full, scaled effect.

Half-Up Crown Braid

A partial braided crown wrapping around the head with the rest of the hair left in loose beach waves below. It is picture-perfect for a date or a night out.

The braided crown across the top with the waves below is what gives this the best of both, pretty structure and soft movement together in one look.

Braid a section across the crown and pin it in place, then leave the lengths in loose waves. Add a shine spray to finish the waves off nicely.

Rope Braid

A braid made by twisting two sections around each other into a rope, quicker and easier than it looks. It gives a sleek, twisted texture.

Twisting rather than plaiting the sections is what makes this so fast to do, and it still gives a pretty, intricate-looking finish in the end.

Split the hair in two, twist each section tightly in the same direction, then wrap them around each other. Secure the end and tuck it under to finish.

Four-Strand Braid

A braid woven from four sections instead of the usual three for a fuller, more intricate pattern. It looks complex but follows a simple over-and-under rhythm.

Adding the fourth strand in is what gives this its rich, ribbon-like texture, a real step up from a classic three-strand plait for extra detail.

Divide the hair into four even sections, and pass the outer strands over and under in sequence down. Pull it wider once done for a fuller, softer look.

Braided Space Buns

Two braids gathered into buns high on either side of the head, playful and cute. The braids add texture to the classic space bun shape.

Braiding the hair before you bun it is what gives this its detail and keeps the two buns neat, a fun and festival-ready look.

Part down the middle, braid each side back, then coil them into two buns and pin. Pull a few pieces loose at the front for a relaxed, softer finish.

Braid With Flowers

Any braid finished with fresh or delicate faux flowers tucked along its length. The flowers bring a romantic, garden-wedding feel to an otherwise simple, everyday braid, dressing it up in seconds.

Adding flowers is what dresses a braid right up for a special day, turning a plain plait into something occasion-ready, personal, and pretty.

Braid your chosen style first, then tuck small flowers along the length of the braid at intervals. Baby's breath or small roses suit a wedding beautifully.

Pull-Through Braid

A braid effect made from a row of small ponytails pulled through each other, with no actual braiding needed at all. It looks intricate but is genuinely easy.

Sectioning and pulling the little ponytails through each other is what creates the woven, bubbly braid look with none of the actual plaiting skill needed.

Tie a row of small ponytails down the head, then split and pull each one through the next, and puff the sections out for fullness.

Curly Braided Half-Up

Natural curls with the top braided back and the rest left curly and full below. The braid keeps the front tidy while the curls stay loose.

Braiding just the top is what shows off the curls while keeping the hair off your face, which makes it a pretty everyday look for natural texture.

Braid a section back from each side and secure them, then leave the curls loose. A curl cream keeps the loose lengths soft, springy, and defined.