19 Dutch braid hairstyles you can wear year-round

Dutch braid hairstyles for all occasions. 

We’ve become quite experimental with Dutch braid hairstyles lately. Why? Well, because once you can do a basic Dutch braid you open up a whole new world of hair styling options, perfect for all seasons and occasions.

Ahead, you’ll find 19 exciting Dutch braid variations to help inject some excitement back into your hair regime.

19 Dutch braid hairstyles for all seasons

Woman with her hair in Dutch braid half-up cornrows with glitter roots
Elevate your festival style with chunky glitter roots. Credit: Instagram.com/charlheaneyibizahair

1. Glitter braids

If the last time you wore glitter in your hair was the year 6 disco days, it’s time to give the sparkly stuff a second chance. Glitter Dutch braid hairstyles are an obvious festival choice, but they’re also great for glamming up your look for parties and holidays, too. Credit: @charlheaneyibizahair

Next read: 6 top tips for removing festival glitter from your hair

Editor’s tip: Worried about glitter going everywhere? With the VO5 Fixing Spray For Glitter all you need to do is spray the fixing gel after sprinkling on your glitter and it won’t budge.

Woman with rich brunette hair and blonde ombre in an upside down Dutch braided curly ponytail
Flip your style on its head. Credit: Instagram.com/unitysalonslc

2. Upside down braid

Your pony just got a glow-up. Simple up top with all the detail underneath, this upside down Dutch braid ponytail takes a classic hairstyle and gives it a modern twist. Credit: @unitysalonslc

Photo of Nina Dobrev with long curled dark hair and a unicorn Dutch braid
Give your hair a mythical touch courtesy of this unicorn braid. Credit: Instagram.com/riawna

3. Unicorn braid

Have short hair? A lot of Dutch braid hairstyles are more suited to those with longer locks, but here’s a ‘do that all hair lengths can get on board with: the unicorn braidCredit: @riawna

Blonde woman with long hair in a voluminous side Dutch braid
Side braiding at its best. Credit: Instagram.com/chelsbliss

4. Side braid

The simplest tweaks can make all the difference when it comes to how you style you hair. We can already imagine this loose, relaxed side braid topped off with a bobble hat for wintery walks! Credit: @chelsbliss

Woman with long dark brunette hair in a single large Dutch braid with a green print scarf woven through
It’s all about the hair scarf this season. Credit: Instagram.com/victoriamercermakeup

5. Scarf braid

After seeing all of the fashion bloggers on Instagram wearing hair scarves, we totally understand the hype. Get in on the trend by threading a patterned scarf through your Dutch braid ponytail for a pop of colour. Credit: @victoriamercermakeup

Next read: How to wear a headscarf 4 ways

Back view of a woman with ash blonde straight hair in a middle Dutch braid and a wrapped ponytail
Style this middle braid with a super sleek pony for fashion week vibes. Credit: Instagram.com/eboniekewmingatjamphairstudio

6. Middle braid

This middle Dutch braid ponytail keeps it sleek and simple with a wrapped ponytail, while making a statement with a smaller Dutch braid running down the centre. Credit: @eboniekewmingatjamphairstudio

Next read: Find out why structured ponytails are our current obsession

Editor’s tip: Get your shine serum at the ready because you want your ponytail to be as shiny and polished as possible. The TONI&GUY Shine Gloss Serum smooths down frizz for a neater ‘do with plenty of glossy shine.

Outdoor shot of a woman with dark brown hair in Double dutch boxer braids with hair rings
Style your braids with hair rings for a unique finish. Credit: Instagram.com/karinatrn

7. Hair rings

Probably the easiest way to jazz up Dutch braid pigtails, hair rings are a favourite of stars like Ariana Grande and Kim K-W. They’ll really make your braids pop and they’re a good way to tie in your hair with the rest of your accessories. Credit: @karinatrn

Woman wearing a denim jacket with curly bob length brown hair in a Dutch braided headband
Even girls with short hair can embrace the headband braid trend. Credit: Instagram.com/rebekahhairstyles

8. Headband braid

Rocking a tousled bob or lob look? This Instagrammer’s pretty Dutch braid headband reminds us of Lauren Conrad‘s braided bangs in The Hills and we want to recreate it immediately. Credit: @rebekahhairstyles

Next read: 17 bobs to try whether you’re 17 or 70

Woman with brown ombre hair sitting in a salon chair with a curly half-up half-down Dutch crown braid
Try out this totally princess-worthy half-up crown braid for your next event. Credit: Instagram.com/paulina_allurebeauty

9. Half-up crown braid

If you love your long hair and want to make the most of it, opt for a half-up half-down variation like this princess-worthy crown braid.

Whether it’s a wedding, prom or even just a fancy date night or anniversary dinner, we can’t think of an occasion where this look wouldn’t work. Credit: @paulina_allurebeauty

Read next: You can even crown braid on short hair, here’s how

Blonde woman with Dutch braided buns wearing sunglasses
Here’s your summer BBQ look sorted. Credit: Instagram.com/michaelgrayhair

10. Braided buns

Space buns are absolutely everywhere, so if you’re already a fan you’ll love these braided ones, especially with the added bead details. Just be prepared for all of your friends to ask you to do it on them too! Credit: @michaelgrayhair

Close up shot of a brunette with curled shoulder length hair in a diagonal half-up half-down Dutch braid
If you’ve been there, done that with normal Dutch braids, go diagonal! Credit: Instagram.com/bohobeauty_bybrooke

11. Diagonal braid

Try something different with your braids by going diagonal. It creates an interesting look that no-one will have seen before. Credit: @bohobeauty_bybrooke

Photo of a woman with long brunette curly hair in a Dutch braid
Thought you couldn’t braid on naturally curly hair? Think again! Credit: Instagram.com/ayla.eulalia

12. Curly braid

You don’t need to straighten your hair to be able to rock braids. Just look at this curly-haired beauty with her flowing Dutch braid ponytail. See the way she’s left the ends of her braid loose to really show off her stunning curls? Credit: @ayla.eulalia

Editor’s tip: Want to make braiding your natural curls a breeze? Try using the TONI&GUY Flexible Hold Braid Balm to help you create the perfect braid.

This smoothing balm will help keep flyaways at bay and define your braid’s shape, making it pop. Now, who wouldn’t want that?

Close up outdoor shot of a brunette with criss cross boxer Dutch braids
X marks the beauty spot. Credit: Instagram.com/braidsbyisabel

13. Criss cross braids

Showcase your braiding prowess in a whole new way with this quirky criss cross style. Like boxer braids but with more personality, they’ll have everyone asking how you did it! Credit: @braidsbyisabel

Read next: The easiest boxer braids tutorial on the internet

Photo of a blonde woman with a Dutch braided headband braid and a curly ponytail
Dutch braids and ponytails, name a more iconic duo. Credit: Instagram.com/thenobbygal

14. Dutch braid ponytail

Ponytails aren’t just for bad hair days and running-late-for-work mornings. Curly lengths and blonde highlights make this Dutch braid ponytail a winning look, whatever the occasion. Credit: @thenobbygal

Back view of a brunette with long hair in double Dutch ponytail braids
This one goes out to all the gym bunnies. Credit: Instagram.com/emmua_hair

15. Double Dutch ponytails

Make a change from regular double Dutch braid pigtails by stopping your braids at the nape of your neck and leaving the rest in ponytails. It’s quicker than braiding right the way down and is a less structured take on braids. Credit: @emmua_hair

Close-up shot of a brunette with shoulder length hair with a single accent Dutch braid and a metallic clip
We’re loving the accessories right now. Credit: Instagram.com/balayage_babe

16. Accent braid

After something quick you can do in a few minutes? A single accent braid is all you need to make people think you’ve made an effort and it only takes a couple of minutes to do. Credit: @balayage_babe

Outdoor shot of a woman with light brown hair in a 5 strand Dutch braid ponytail hairstyle
Pretty impressive, right? Credit: Instagram.com/all_to_braids

17. 5 strand Dutch braid

Want something that you know is going to impress? The woven effect of this 5 strand Dutch braid will have compliments flying your way. Credit: @all_to_braids

ducth braid tutorial for an elegant updo
If elegance was a hairstyle. Credit: Instagram.com/haleynaulthair

18. Elegant updo

Do you have a wedding on your social calendar? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a pretty way to wear your hair to your next sophisticated soiree? Then this elegant updo is the answer to all your hair prayers! Credit: @haleynaulthair

How to do a Dutch braid with stud decoration
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker… Credit: Instagram.com/blowoutbeautybar

19. Pierced Dutch braids

For all you punk chicks out there wondering how to pull off Dutch braid hairstyles, please turn your attention to this edgy ‘do. This studded look is the ideal accompaniment to your signature style, yet still has an air of femininity about it! Credit: @blowoutbeautybar

 

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