How to Wear Pigtails as a Grown Woman and Look Totally Chic
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Break out the hair ties: Paris Fashion Week has decreed that pigtails and pigtail braids are fashionable again, regardless of age. While FKA twigs, Alexa Chung, and Janelle Monae have been sporting the look in its various iterations in recent months, the Chanel and Miu Miu shows confirmed that two tails are better than one. It's not just any pigtail, though. The new version, whether plain or plaited Twigs style, calls for a more grown-up spin. It's not Pippi Longstocking. It's not Harley Quinn. It's high fashion — and Karl Lagerfeld-approved.
Draw inspiration from these pro-pigtail style influencers, who show how braids, messy-on-purpose texture, and a bow placed at the nape of the neck can remake this traditionally girlish look.
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Low and Loose at Chanel
Sam McKnight's team pulled hair into low twin ponytails at the nape of the neck.
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Chanel's Winning Look
Use a comb to create a center part at the crown, but the style doesn't have to be precise. The crucial part is to keep the pigtails pinned back, not hanging to the side.
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Eye-Catching Accessories
Chanel gave its pigtails a glam makeover via bow-covered barrettes — perfect for hiding hair ties — and metallic headbands.
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Accessorized With a Headband at Miu Miu
A dark headband and moody lipstick gave the hairstyle a goth edge at Miu Miu's Spring 2016 Paris Fashion Week show.
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Crowned at Miu Miu
Don't be afraid to top your tails with a crown — it's kitschy and cool.
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Crowning Glory
Rita Ora's braided plaits are an all-around winner. Loop hair around the hair tie to mimic the look.
A Heidi Moment
Make milkmaid-chic work for you by keeping the braids close to the nape. They should fall down straight your back, not to the sides.
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Gone Fishing
Fishtail braids are also welcome. Follow this hairstylist's lead and wear plaited pigtails under this season's wool toppers. Hat hair, don't care.
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Alexa-Approved
Alexa Chung shows how pigtail braids can still work for evening, opting for a center part and tight plaits.
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Two For Twigs
Longtime braid champion FKA Twigs wears her pigtailed plaits high, but keeps them falling to the back.
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Parisian Plaits
This showgoer's chunky braids are ready to take Paris Fashion Week by storm.
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Busy's Blue Braids
Actress Busy Phillips eschews the standard center part and adds a dip-dyed twist.
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More Is More
Paris Fashion Week showgoer Janelle Monae offered a riff on the Twigs style with her thicker plaits.
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Messy and Modern
Kendall Jenner hit the trend early, turning up at Coachella with mussed, low pigtail braids. Perfect for gals who prefer texture over tight plaits.
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Bridal Braids
Naeem Khan elevated pigtails to formal-wear status at his Fall 2016 bridal show. The models wore two plaits embellished with veils, floral wreaths, and dangling earrings.