Romantic Braids
My eyes opened to incredible beauty and versatility of braids after watching the White Queen. The Queen’s mother’s hair styles – Jacquetta (Elizabeth Woodville’s mom) were especially impressive.
Janet McTeer and Rebecca Ferguson in The White Queen from IMBd
Then of course there are the fabulous plaits from Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones – Daenerys
Braids or plaits have been making a big comeback on and off the red carpet for the last few years. Braids have of course been around across centuries, continents, and genders; from side braids to milkmaid braids, French, waterfall, fishtails, coils, buns and chignons. Their versatility allows incredible complex styles with endless possibilities. They can also work on most lengths of hair. They’re also functional, keeping us cool and unencumbered.
As my hair is below waist length, I started having fun playing with braids.
Here are some of my favourites; some are beautiful yet easy, while others serves as elaborate inspirations.
Godey’s Lady’s Book, May 1866
Greek Coiffure – 1866
The coiffure requires no frisettes, and is both simple and elegant. The back hair is tied rather high, and as tightly as possible; it is then divided into two equal portions, which are both plaited. The first is arranged into two loops: the second forms the third loop, and is then twisted round the chignon and fastened underneath. The front hair is disposed in waved bandeaux; if the hair is not sufficiently long and thick to form the plaited coronet with the end of the bandeaux, a false plaite is added and fastened under the chignon. (Image and text from Koshka-the-cat.)
Online access to Godey’s Lady’s Book
Nina Headdress, 1863, from Godey’s Ladies Book.
Image from A Polar Bear’s Tale
Multiple braid plait.
Easy braid tutorial
Tutorial from IMGFAVE
Hair by Gordon Richie, Photographer McInnes
Image from Rainbow Room
Tutorial from Fashion Diva Design
More elaborate Renaissance Style
Image from Renmoon
From Fashionsy Also click for lots more super easy styles.
Empress Isabel – 1548
From Superior Platform
Image from Trendhunter
Fun idea based on a detail of the Allegory of Spring, 1482, from Sandro Botticelli – hair braid as a choker. Attach a broach to your braid.
Melanie-Laurent
From Howtohairgirl
From Meiliwall
From Arwendë Luhtiénë Emeldir Peredhel
Beautiful multiple strand style
From Jenny Twoshoes
Wonderful inspiration from this Doll’s Hair styling
From Amadiz
You can of course weave into the braids pearls, ribbons or whatever takes your fancy.
From Boulevard Pinki
The series Vikings also brought Viking braids back into the spotlight.
Travis Fimmel’s braided hairstyle
Images from IMDb
Viking Braid
If you want to recreate this Viking hairstyle you have to start by making a regular pigtail with the hair from the top of the head. At the hairline on the back of the neck you braid the rest of the hair into the braid which is then divided into seven parts. You braid these together two, two and three. At the end the pigtail is divided into two twisted pigtails. You can read more about it from the Tollund Man.
An elegant hairstyle with a braided headband; the style mimics the hair seen in portraits and modern film depictions of Regency Era ladies.
The intricate hairstyles of the caryatids on the Erechtheion temple in Athens were recreated. From an article by ArtNews.
Roman Hair Styles
Janet Stephen’s tutorials on Roman hair styles is a must-see for anyone interested in elaborate braiding styles or just for the sake of interest. They are full of tips and ideas. It is actually not as difficult as it looks, though an extra pair of hands is necessary for most of the styles.
Image from DR Redlocks
Here’s how to do the heart braid
Image via pinterest. From bobbyglam.com
Enjoy !
Beautiful plaits in a Da Vinci drawing
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