Coming up with new ways to style your hair can be tedious. I have more or less sported the same long, middle-parted balayage style for years, and it can get a little boring. When it’s down, it’s straight, unless I can actually be bothered to unearth my curling tongs or grapple with my Dyson Airwrap.
If my hair is up, on the other hand, I have three zero-fuss, go-to styles: First of all, we have the “I really don’t have time for this” topknot. Then the “no, I seriously don’t have time for this” messy high ponytail. Finally, for really desperate times, is the “my hair is too greasy to go outside today” middle-parted, slicked-back ponytail. Generally speaking, outside of these three updos, I really don’t experiment with much else.
However, that could all be about to change. Despite years of inherent laziness when it comes to styling my own hair, there’s a new hairstyle on the beauty block and it’s piqued my interest. The last time that I wore my hair in a plait was probably at primary school, but the humble plait has had one hell of a 2020 update, and I’m kind of living for it. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the plait was one of the most-worn hairstyles amongst the fashion pack this fashion month. From loose, laid-back twists to artfully formed braids, it’s safe to say that the plait is back—and it’s looking better than ever before.
Plus, on top of the fact that it looks impossibly chic—providing you’ve got the technique down—there’s a plait for almost every mood. So if like me, you’re stuck in a bit of a hairstyling rut, keep scrolling for 17 of the best plait hairstyles out there.