7 Types of Chic Pigtail Braids That Definitely Look Grown Up

Three-strand braids are the easiest, most common and basic type. It simply involves wrapping hair from the outside in when it's sectioned into two parts. If you know only one type of plait, it should be this one.

For this video, Confessions of a Hairstylist replicates the look from the Spring 2016 Mara Hoffman New York Fashion Week Show. It incorporates three-strand pigtail braids on long hair inspired by Willie Nelson. What makes these unique is that the plaits get tighter towards the hair tie. She also includes a behind-the-scenes pro tip for controlling flyaways in braids — by using hairspray, a hair net, and blow dryer.

French braids are like three-strand ones, except you start with a small section close to the scalp and include on more hair as you weave. Additional sections are added with an overhand technique (over the top of the current braided section). Customize the look based on tightness and direction as French braids can be directed high on the head, close to the scalp, or near the ear.

For her take on French pigtail braids, Stella Cini cinches the plaits at the nape of her neck and then wraps strands of hair around the hair ties. This is a chic upgrade to the traditional technique that feels fashion-forward and modern.

Dutch braids, also known as inverted French braids, are another great option for those looking for a way to keep their hair out of their face. Instead of adding sections of hair to the braid in an overhand motion — as with French braids — the Dutch technique involves an underhand technique. To differentiate it from the culturally distinct cornrow, the Dutch technique does not include the middle section of hair in the braid. Since they usually sit on top of the head, Dutch braids are ideal for those with flyaways or pieces that are especially difficult to manage.

While Jasmine Brown gorgeously demonstrates it on her natural hair, it can be easily replicated on a variety of textures and lengths.

Instead of French braids (where you add hair to both sides), lace braiding involves adding hair only to the back section of the three-strand plait. The result is a loose style somewhere in between the French and three-strand styles, and a nice upgrade to more common and traditional looks.

This technique is easily applied to pigtail braids, as shown in this tutorial from Kirsten Zellers. Her finished braids are made even more voluminous and chic by pulling apart the strands once the plait is tied off.

Fishtail braiding has experienced a huge surge in popularity over the past couple of years, and it is definitely one of those DIYs that looks more difficult than it is. The Pinterest-popular plaiting technique involves dividing the hair into two sections, and then portioning off those into smaller strands which are then brought across the braid into the other "side" of hair.

This braid is doubled in this tutorial from imashleyhello, resulting in a youthful daytime look that can easily be replicated off screen. The addition of a baseball cap just makes it even cuter.

Though loop braiding looks extremely complex, it's actually just a variation of the three-strand technique. As you're doing a traditional braid, you'll be removing small sections of each side before crossing over. Then, once you're adding the next strand in, you'll add the removed hair back into the strand and continue down the hair. By pulling these smaller sections out, you'll create a feathered style. Because of the precision it requires, the style works best with pigtails first cinched at the nape of the neck.

This tutorial from Bebexo demos how to use the loop technique in pigtail braids, doubling the fun of the professional-quality hairstyle. She also shows viewers a unique trick for hiding the ponytail holder — something that can be applied to any type of braid.

This style of pigtail braids isn't actually a separate technique — it's simply a unique way of doing the traditional three-strand plaits. Instead of having one braid on each side of the head, you'll have two on each side (four in total). By feathering out each braid and then bobby pinning the two plaits to each together, the finished look feels fun and bohemian.

This take on double pigtail braids, from Jasmine Chang, is geared towards those attending Coachella or a similar type of event. The hairstyle she creates is particularly loose, messy, and windblown — ideal for a casual Spring or Summer day in the sun.