In the pantheon of inspiring hairstyles, plaits will always be right there near the top of the list. Whether French or Dutch, twisted or knotted, smooth or textured, plaits have stood the test of time for obvious reasons: They are both practical and pretty, require very few tools, and most are easy to copy without the help of a professional.
But like most beauty trends, their popularity ebbs and flows. Luckily, for all those in love with the style, we have good news for you: as this season has seen a major return of the humble plait. The red carpet, in particular, saw its fair share of different types, each cooler than the last. We've rounded up a few of our favourites for your plaiting pleasure.
Ahead, 13 of the best new plaits to copy now.
An enviable plait need not be crazy-tight or overly complicated. Hairstylist Jen Atkin gave Jessica Biel a loose rope plait for a gala in Los Angeles that perfectly suited her off-the-shoulder, feminine pink gown.
Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage/ Getty Images.
Kim Kardashian has been loving a long braid, and wore a fishtail version to the LACMA Art+Film Gala in L.A., also courtesy of Atkin.
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
Sienna Miller is a regular hair hero of ours (who didn't love when she dyed her hair earlier this year?) but we especially loved her double French plaits at the Carol premiere in Cannes.
Photo: Rex
Hairstylist Lacy Redway gave Lupita Nyong'o a crown braid that wraps all the way around her head for the Glamour Women of the Year Awards.
Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImag/ Getty Images.
Half braid and half flowing locks, Rita Ora wins major hair points for this Dutch side-braid that she wore out and about in London.
Photo: Keith Hewitt/GC Images/ Getty Images.
Remember the double French braid from your childhood? Get ready to to revisit it, because the style is having a serious moment. Hannah Bronfman wore the style to Guggenheim International Gala in New York with the ends tucked into the braid for a modern touch.
Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images.
The @bleachlondon Instagram is a constant source of hair inspo for us but the images of Bleach hair stylist Tori Stewart's ever-changing colourful plaits are some of our favourite.
Photo: @bleachlondon
See, we told you the double braid is back! On the very same night, on the opposite side of the country, Jaime King wore the double plait to the L.A. Balmain x H&M party. Her update: The ends were pinned outside of the braid.
Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images.
Blake Lively's made-on-the-trail workout braid will continue to inspire us for weeks to come.
Photo: Courtesy of Rod Ortega.
Yes, you are seeing this correctly: Solange traded in her go-to shorter, full texture for sleek, waist-length braids last month. Cop the look by keeping your centre part sharp and your plaits brushed off your shoulders.
Photo: John Sciulli/Getty Images.
French model Constance Jablonski made the crown braid feel fresh at the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards in New York earlier this month. The style felt new thanks to two tricks: She kept the plait close to her hairline, and opted for the Dutch technique, instead of a classic braid.
Photo: Gary Gershoff/WireImage/ Getty Images.
Jennifer Lawrence's platinum bob has been stealing the spotlight during the final Hunger Games press tour, proving that there are endless ways to wear a bob. Here, Lawrence shows the style's diversity with a messy side braid ending in a twisted chignon.
Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImag/ Getty Images.
Newcomer actress Zoe Graham plays Julia Roberts' daughter in the upcoming thriller Secret in Their Eyes. If this braid is any indication, we can expect big things from her on the red carpet.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage/ Getty Images.
Kiernan Shipka is no stranger to a braided updo, with each style looking just as rad as the last. For a dinner in Los Angeles, hairstylist Ashley Streicher gave the actress a part-braided, part-knotted look that she calls her "French knotted technique." The secret: The crown has a ton of volume while the sides are Dutch braided and twisted onto mini chignons.
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