Winter’s chill brings the perfect opportunity to experiment with cozy and chic hairstyles. Braids, in their myriad forms, offer a versatile canvas for expressing personal style while keeping your hair manageable and protected from the elements. From intricate fishtails to chunky Dutch braids, this season’s trends embrace both classic and contemporary influences, drawing inspiration from runway looks and street style alike. Let’s explore twenty captivating winter braid hair design ideas that will elevate your cold-weather look.
Classic French Braid with a Velvet Ribbon
The timeless French braid receives a luxurious update with the addition of a rich velvet ribbon. Choose a ribbon in deep jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, or ruby red to complement the winter season. Weave the ribbon into the braid, letting it peek out between the strands for a touch of subtle elegance. This style works beautifully on medium to long hair and can be adapted for both casual and formal occasions. Incorporate face-framing tendrils for a softer, more romantic look, a trend seen both in the US and EU. To add texture, consider lightly crimping the hair before braiding for added volume, particularly popular in the US.
Double Dutch Braids with Metallic Thread
Embrace a bold and edgy vibe with double Dutch braids adorned with metallic thread. Silver or gold thread woven into the braids adds a touch of shimmer and dimension, catching the light beautifully. This style is perfect for showcasing hair accessories like cuffs or rings. For a more bohemian look, leave a few strands loose around the face and incorporate colorful beads or feathers into the braid. This style is popular amongst younger demographics in both the US and EU, reflecting a trend towards festival-inspired hairstyles.
Fishtail Braid Crown with Pearl Accents
Elevate your winter look with a regal fishtail braid crown embellished with delicate pearl accents. This intricate braid creates a stunning halo effect, perfect for holiday parties or special events. Scatter small pearls throughout the braid, securing them with bobby pins. For a more modern twist, opt for iridescent pearls or combine them with crystals for added sparkle. The fishtail braid crown adds a touch of sophistication and aligns with the current trend of romantic and whimsical hairstyles seen across both the US and EU.
Side Swept Waterfall Braid with Glitter Spray
Add a touch of winter magic to your hair with a side-swept waterfall braid adorned with shimmering glitter spray. This ethereal style is perfect for adding a festive touch to any occasion. After creating the waterfall braid, lightly mist your hair with a glitter spray, focusing on the cascading strands. Choose a silver, gold, or iridescent glitter to complement your outfit and hair color. This whimsical style reflects the current trend in both the US and EU of incorporating playful elements into hairstyles.
Chunky Pull-Through Braid with a Knitted Headband
Embrace the cozy vibes of winter with a chunky pull-through braid paired with a knitted headband. This style is both fashionable and functional, keeping your hair warm and stylish. Opt for a chunky knit headband in a neutral color like cream, gray, or beige. The combination of textures – the chunky braid and the soft knit – creates a visually appealing contrast. This style aligns with the current trend of embracing comfortable and practical hairstyles, particularly popular in the colder climates of the EU.
Low Bun with Braided Accents and Burgundy Highlights
Enhance a classic low bun with intricate braided accents and rich burgundy highlights. This sophisticated style is perfect for both day and evening wear. Incorporate thin braids around the bun, securing them with bobby pins. Adding burgundy highlights, a popular winter hair color trend in both the US and EU, provides depth and dimension to the overall look. This style reflects the ongoing trend of incorporating subtle yet impactful details into classic hairstyles.
Half-Updo with a Rope Braid and Face-Framing Tendrils
A romantic and effortless style, the half-updo with a rope braid and face-framing tendrils is perfect for everyday wear. Create a rope braid from sections of hair at the crown and secure it with a clear elastic. Allowing soft tendrils to fall around the face adds a touch of softness and femininity. This hairstyle is universally flattering and aligns with the “no-makeup makeup” trend, emphasizing natural beauty, prevalent in both the US and EU.
Side Fishtail Braid with Pastel Streaks
Embrace a touch of whimsy with a side fishtail braid adorned with pastel streaks. This playful style is perfect for adding a pop of color to your winter wardrobe. Temporary pastel hair colors, particularly lavender and rose gold, are trending in both the US and EU. Incorporate these colors into your braid for a fun and expressive look. This style embodies the current trend of experimenting with temporary hair colors without a long-term commitment.
Dutch Braid Ponytail with a Scarf Accessory
Elevate a classic ponytail with a Dutch braid and a stylish scarf accessory. Begin a Dutch braid at the crown and continue it down into a ponytail. Tie a silk scarf around the base of the ponytail for a chic and sophisticated touch. Choose a scarf with a bold print or a rich color to complement your outfit. This versatile style can be adapted for both casual and formal occasions and reflects the growing trend of incorporating scarves into hairstyles, observed in both the US and EU fashion scenes.
Halo Braid with Gold Leaf Accents
Create a stunning halo braid and adorn it with delicate gold leaf accents for a truly ethereal winter look. This intricate braid encircles the head, creating a romantic and whimsical aura. Apply small pieces of gold leaf to the braid using hair gel or a specialized adhesive. Gold leaf adds a touch of luxury and aligns with the current trend of incorporating metallic elements into hairstyles, a trend popularized by runway shows and adopted by fashion-forward individuals in the US and EU.
Five-Strand Braid with Beaded Ends
Showcase your braiding skills with a complex five-strand braid and add a bohemian touch with beaded ends. This intricate braid creates a textured and visually interesting hairstyle. Attach small beads to the ends of the braid using thread or small elastic bands. Choose beads in earthy tones or metallic shades to complement your winter wardrobe. This style reflects the ongoing trend of embracing intricate braiding techniques and incorporating bohemian elements into hairstyles, observed particularly in the festival culture prevalent in both the US and EU.
French Braid Pigtails with Colorful Hair Extensions
Embrace a playful and youthful vibe with French braid pigtails and colorful hair extensions. This fun style is perfect for adding a pop of color to your winter look. Incorporate temporary hair extensions in vibrant shades like pink, blue, or purple into your French braids. This style aligns with the trend of experimenting with bold and unconventional hair colors, especially popular amongst younger generations in both the US and EU.
Milkmaid Braids with Floral Hairpins
Embrace a romantic and whimsical look with milkmaid braids adorned with delicate floral hairpins. This classic style is perfect for creating a soft and feminine aura. Add small floral hairpins along the braids, choosing flowers in wintery hues like white, silver, or deep red. This style reflects the ongoing trend of incorporating floral elements into hairstyles for a touch of romance and femininity, a trend observed across various fashion platforms in both the US and EU.
Reverse French Braid Bun with a Bejeweled Hair Comb
A reverse French braid that culminates in a low bun, adorned with a bejeweled hair comb, is a sophisticated and elegant choice for special occasions. This intricate style showcases both braiding skills and refined taste. The bejeweled hair comb adds a touch of glamour and sparkle, perfect for holiday parties or formal events. This style embodies the classic elegance that transcends trends and remains a popular choice for formal occasions in both the US and EU.
Ladder Braid with Ribbon and Bow
The ladder braid, with its unique woven pattern, offers a visually appealing and intricate hairstyle. Adding a ribbon woven through the braid and tied into a bow at the end enhances its charm. Choose a ribbon that complements your outfit or hair color, creating a cohesive and stylish look. This style reflects the trend of embracing intricate braiding techniques and adding personalized touches to create unique hairstyles, a trend popular among fashion enthusiasts in both the US and EU.
Pull-Through Braid with a Scrunchie
A simple yet stylish option, the pull-through braid, offers a voluminous and textured look. Adding a scrunchie at the end, especially a velvet or oversized one, provides a touch of 90s nostalgia, a trend currently making a comeback in both the US and EU. Choose a scrunchie that complements your outfit or adds a pop of color. This style reflects the trend of embracing comfortable and effortless hairstyles while incorporating trendy accessories.
Twisted Rope Braid Updo
This elegant updo involves creating multiple twisted rope braids and intertwining them to form a sophisticated bun or chignon. The twisted rope braids add texture and visual interest, while the updo keeps the hair neatly styled. This style is versatile and suitable for both formal and semi-formal occasions, reflecting a classic and timeless trend appreciated in both the US and EU.
Braided Headband with Loose Waves
Create a bohemian-inspired look with a braided headband and loose, flowing waves. Braid a section of hair across the crown of your head, securing it with bobby pins to create a headband effect. Style the remaining hair in loose waves for a relaxed and romantic vibe. This style embodies the effortless chic aesthetic that remains popular in both the US and EU.
Space Buns with Braided Detail
A fun and youthful style, space buns involve dividing the hair into two high buns on either side of the head. Incorporating braided details, such as braiding sections of hair before forming the buns, adds a unique and playful touch. This style reflects the trend of embracing playful and expressive hairstyles, particularly popular among younger generations in both the US and EU.
