30 Braided Hairstyles To Inspire Your Next Look in 2024

Braided hairstyles have long been a popular and versatile choice for individuals with various hair lengths and textures. 

By experimenting with different types, you can find the perfect braid to complement your style and showcase your personality.

From classic French braids to intricate cornrows, braided hair offers countless ways to express yourself. Simple yet tasteful options like fishtail braids add a touch of sophistication, while more complex designs like Fulani braids offer a cultivated, one-of-a-kind appearance. Braided hairstyles offer the best of all worlds – whether you want a quick, casual, low-effort look or a show-stopping style for a special occasion.

This article explores 30 braided styles to help you find inspiration for your next hair transformation.

30 Braided Hairstyles To Inspire Your Next Look

1. Dutch Braids

Dutch braids, also known as ‘reverse French braids,’ are created by weaving sections of hair under one another instead of over.

This technique gives a three-dimensional, raised appearance, making it an outstanding choice for a traditional braid style.

2. Knotless Braids

Knotless braids are a protective hairstyle that minimizes tension and stress on the scalp.

These braids start without the tight knots often found in traditional box braids, resulting in a more comfortable and natural look.

3. Fishtail Braids

Fishtail braids are an intricate and visually stunning style that mimics the appearance of a fish’s tail.

They involve weaving two sections of hair together, creating a distinctive, textured pattern that adds a touch of elegance to any look.

4. High Braided Ponytail

A high-braided ponytail is a versatile, trendy look for all hair types and textures.

This simple yet chic hairstyle involves creating a sleek ponytail at the crown of your head and braiding it for added flair. 

5. Braided Bob

For shorter hair, a braided bob offers a stylish, edgy look.

This style adds texture and depth to your look, making it a fashionable choice for all occasions.

6. Braids With Highlights

Adding highlights to your braids gives them a pop of color and dimension.

Whether you choose subtle, natural-looking shades or bold, vibrant hues, this style is an excellent way to personalize your look.

7. Goddess Braids

Goddess braids are a stunning and versatile braided hairstyle incorporating curls left out at various sections.

The unbraided strands can vary in size and placement, allowing for customization to suit your style and preferences.

8. Pull-Through Braids

Pull-through braids create a unique, eye-catching look.

This style is crafted by pulling sections of hair through a series of mini ponytails, giving the appearance of interlocking rings or upside-down hearts.

9. Fulani Braids

Inspired by the Fulani people of West Africa, Fulani braids are cornrows characterized by a center braid, often adorned with rings, cuffs, or other hair accessories.

These braids can be combined with loose curls for a more natural look or incorporated into other braided styles to add dimension and intricacy.

10. Lemonade Braids

Lemonade braids, popularized by Beyoncé, are a trendy side-swept style.

Named after her iconic album, this hairstyle features small to medium-sized cornrows braided to one side.

11. Half-Up/Half-Down Braids

Half-up/half-down looks combine the elegance of braids with the free-flowing beauty of loose hair.

This style really is the best of both worlds – the top half of the hair is neatly pulled back while the rest is left down for a relaxed, carefree look.

12. Bohemian Braids

Bohemian braids create an effortlessly charming look with their blend of knotless or box braids and ‘unfinished’ curly ends.

The undone, textured nature of these braids adds volume and dimension to your hair, creating a laid-back and enchanting appearance.

13. Inverse Braids With Space Buns

For a trendy, playful style, try inverse braids with space buns.

The hair is braided upward from the nape of the neck, bringing a captivating visual effect, while the remaining hair is styled into fun space buns on top, adding a touch of whimsy to your look.

14. Mid-Length Braids

Mid-length braids offer a comfortable, stylish option for those who prefer a medium hair length.

They can be worn down for a relaxed look or styled into updos or half-up styles for a more polished appearance.

15. Braided Top Knot

Combine the sleekness of a top knot with the intricate beauty of a braid.

Wear your braided top knot to work for a stylish, professional appearance, or pull out a few loose strands for a casual yet chic finish.

16. Braids With Curly Ends

Add some whimsy to your braids by leaving the ends curly.

This soft, feminine style can be worn with box braids, knotless braids, or even some kinds of twists.

17. Crown Braid

The crown or halo braid is an elegant, timeless style that involves braiding hair in a circular pattern around the head, resembling a crown.

This regal look is perfect for formal events, weddings, or occasions where you want to feel like royalty.

18. Braids With Hair Accessories

Elevate any braided style with hair accessories such as beads, threads, rings, or cuffs.

These adornments add glamour while allowing for personalization and creativity with your look.

19. Jumbo Braids

Jumbo braids make a definitive statement with their thick and chunky appearance.

These braids are fashionable and protective, making them popular for a stylish yet low-maintenance look.

20. Braided Faux Hawk

For a chic, edgy look, try a braided faux hawk.

This style features tight braids up the sides, leading to a mass of hair – either loose or braided – down the center of the head.

21. Braids With Peekaboo Color

Add a pop of color to your look with contrasting strands underneath your braided style.

By strategically incorporating vibrant or pastel shades within the braids, you create eye-catching surprises that appear whenever the hair moves.

22. Braided Ombre

Ombre hair transitions seamlessly from one color to another and, when combined with braids, creates a striking, mesmerizing effect.

This style offers a smooth gradient of colors that can be subtle and understated or bold and vibrant, depending on your preferences.

23. Side-Swept Braids

Side-swept braids offer a perfect blend of sophistication and whimsy, making them suitable for various occasions and styles.

Whether you want a boho-chic vibe, wedding-ready glamour, or casual everyday elegance, these braids are a versatile choice for showcasing your personality with grace and charm.

24. Fulani Braids With Loose Curls

Fulani braids are known for their unique patterns and adornments.

When paired with loose curls, these braids fuse traditional and modern styles, resulting in a dynamic and captivating appearance.

25. French Braids

Classic and timeless, French braids are an elegant choice for any occasion.

They can be dressed up or down and incorporated into various hairstyles, depending on your preferences and taste.

26. Undercut Braids

Undercut braids combine the daring look of an undercut with the elegance of braids.

This style allows you to play with contrast, with the shaved portion providing a sleek backdrop for the intricate braided patterns above.

27. Braids With a Heart Part

A heart-shaped part adds a touch of romance and whimsy to any braided hairstyle.

The heart part is a sweet and playful detail that can be incorporated into various braid styles.

28. Multicolored Braids

Multicolored braids are a fantastic way to experiment with different shades and hues. Whether you choose a rainbow of colors or subtle variations, this style offers a dynamic and personalized look.

29. Criss-Cross Cornrows

Criss-cross cornrows feature intricate and interconnected patterns that create a geometric and artistic appearance.

These braids showcase precision and craftsmanship, bringing a contemporary twist to traditional cornrows.

30. Crochet Braids

Crochet braids are a protective style using a crochet hook to add braided hair extensions.

This technique allows for endless customization and creativity, so feel free to experiment with various lengths, textures, and colors.