With summer starting, braids for long hair are the perfect way to keep cool! Whether you’re planning on attending all the cool music festivals, or you have a series of weddings lined up, braided hairstyles for long hair will make sure your hair does not get in your way from having fun.
Braids for long hair can be loose, chunky, and haphazard for a more bohemian look, or they can be kept very clean or twisted into buns for sophisticated evening events. You can even add just a few tiny braids for texture, leaving the rest of your long hair loose. No matter your proclivities, you can make long braided hair fit your personal edge.
To get your inspired to play around with twists and turns, we’ve collected all the best inspiration for long braids. Let us know which of these long braided hairstyles is your favorite!
1. Spring Side Braid
This thick and chunky braid is a perfect spring styling choice for long hair braids. It’s super messy and large, which means it would require some pinning to keep in place, but it’s so beautiful, so isn’t it worth it?
2. Coachella Semi-Braid
This fun look has a lot of wisps and loose strands, as the braid is only at the very center of the back of the head. This is one of those braided hairstyles for long hair where it starts off as a Dutch braid, but is then transformed into a fishtail braid rather than a traditional braid, for a textured look.
3. Icy Blue Double Fishtail Braids
Chunky long hair braids go perfectly with funky hair colors like this gorgeous icy blue. Here we have double Dutch braids that become fishtail braids once they get past the head.
4. Flower Crown Braid
This is a take on braided hairstyles for long hair that simply would not work on shorter hair. The impossibly long braid has to be carefully twisted and pinned over a teased Gibson girl-style crown to achieve this astounding flower updo.
5. Lace Braid Updo with a Side Bun
Some long braided hairstyles scream summer or spring wedding, and this is certainly one of them. The lace braid along the side is crafted with careful weaving, and ends in a delicate bun at the nape of the neck.
6. Chunky Yet Funky Long Braid
Long hair braids paired with metallic magenta and lavender hair shades are a sight to behold! This is a classic braid that has been simply slightly pulled on to get that gorgeous haphazard effect. It’s great for hair with serious volume!
7. Double Dutch Ponytail
To get this kind of gorgeous long braided hair, you’ll have to split your hair into two parts, and Dutch braid each side. Have the two braids meet in the middle as a sleek ponytail for a totally unique summer hair look that shows off a great balayage beautifully.
8. Semi-Braid with Ribbon
It’s super fun to decorate braids for long hair with fun accessories like the scarf in this photo. This is a semi-braid, with most of the hair loose that starts as a Dutch braid and transforms into a fishtail braid at the base.
9. Semi-Side Braid Twist
If you love playing with texture, adding a few colorful hair ties to your braided hairstyles for long hair is the way to go. Here we have a single strand, but after each tie the style of braid changes for a really fun look.
10. Woven Textured Dutch Braid
By adding super texturized and segmented strands of hair into this Dutch braid, the result is a very romantically tousled take on long braided hairstyles that is also going to be much more sturdy than other long hair braids.
11. French Braid Pony
Sometimes you want the braid to be a hidden accent in your long braided hairstyles. That’s when French braiding your hair from the nape of the neck up can be a fun decision. You can end it in a top bun, or like in this case, a top ponytail!
12. Beaded Accent Braid
Long hair braids simply beg to be beaded, like in this photo, where delicate metallic beads give a fancy feeling to this lovely accent braid. It has that slightly messy feel that makes the look effortlessly chic.
13. Texture Side Crown Braid
Symmetry is overrated, when you can achieve these kinds of gorgeous braids for long hair. Get this look by doing a Dutch braid at the front of your head, and letting it become a braid that hangs loosely at the side of your head.
14. Side Rope Braid with Pony
Rope braids for long hair are always an interesting look. Since it’s hard to keep them in check, only having the rope braid at the side of the head and having it end in a ponytail is a great choice.
15. Textured Semi-Fishtail Braid
There are a few fascinating things happening with this fishy long braided hair. The fishtail braid starts with two normal braids that begin at the temple, and only at the crown does the actual fishbraid start.
16. Double Dutch Buns
Show off a perfect ombre or balayage with this take on long hair braids that end as two lovely buns at the nape of the neck. The secret here is the two Dutch braids!
17. Floral Three-Braid Bun
By carefully twisting three long braids into this delicate floral shape, you too can achieve this perfect updo hairstyle – lavender hair is not mandatory! Pair it with you off-the-shoulder summer tops and dresses to put the accent on your gorgeous ‘do.
18. Four-Strand Brand with Floral Accents
If you want to stick some flowers in your braids for long hair, I’m all for it, but why not go the extra mile and use your hair to create the flowers? This is a lovely example of how to combine a French braid with unique accents and a four-strand braid.
19. Floral Bouquet Braided Semi-Updo
If you really want to stand out at special events this spring and summer, give this unique hairdo a try – it’s worth the effort. It’s made up of a bunch of little braids twisted into flowers, and is neatly tied off with a thick and voluminous hair bow.
20. Double Braid Twist
This take on long braided hairstyles is similar to double Dutch braids, but because of the use of twisted braids, it is much chunkier and more voluminous. To keep everything in place, the braids end in silky ponytails.
21. Loose Dutch Braid
The title says it all – if your hair is massively thick, then this long braided hairdo is for you! Create a loose Dutch braid that starts just above the nape of the neck, and keep everything loose for that extra volume.
22. Wavy Double Dutch Braids
Another example of this fun summer look! By wrapping a few strands of hair around the base of the Dutch braids, where the ponytails start, you can make sure this look stays clean.
23. Twisted Side Bun Braid
This romantic look features long braided hair just at the side of the head that is pulled into a lovely twisted bun. It has that beautiful swirl you’ll want to pair with gorgeous cocktail dresses for outdoor summer parties.
24. Side Dutch Accent
Braided hairstyles for long hair that use the braid as an accent to flowy loose hair are some of my favorites. Here it’s all about a chunky Dutch braid that creates a gorgeous accent.
25. Twisted Semi-Braid
This super chunky double layering of braids for long hair is a great casual choice for those with thick hair who want to amp things up a little. It’s messy, effortles and just perfect for both day-to-day looks and special events.
26. Detailed Long Braid Twist
This updo is made up of a few side braids layered and pinned close to the nape of the neck, but where it really gets sophisticated is with the small and ultra clean fishtail braid detail.
27. Flip-Over High Braid
So these are not exactly braids for long hair – these are ponytails twisted and tied off one over the other for this super cool, high-braid look that has a bit of a retro vibe. You just need some elastics to master this new form of braids.
28. Low Braid Accent Ponytail
All you need for a fancy holiday look is accent long hair braids that begin right below the ears on each side, and a big red ribbon to tie things off! This will pair very well with your cozy winter sweaters, too.
29. Frenchy and Fishy Long Braid
Are you feeling fishy? This take on braided hairstyles for long hair starts as a side French braid and ends in a textured fishtail braid that is super flattering.
30. Cotton Candy Fishtail Braid
There are so many things worth mentioning about this lovely fishtail braid that starts off super twisty at the crown of the head, and ends in two little traditional braids tied together. What really stands out to me about this long braided hair is the fact that some of the hair was crimped, for added texture.
31. Five-Strand Accent Braid
Another fun way of jazzing up braided hairstyles for long hair is by adding a tight five-strand accent braid along one side. It gives that special vibe to the lightly tousled medium length hair.
32. Pastel Pearl Braids
Braided hairstyles for long hair do a great job of emphasizing unique colormelts like this gorgeous pastel rainbow pearl hair. This is a complex mess of semi-braids that is perfect for casual boho festivals in the summer.
33. Floral Braided Bun Trio
Bun braids for long hair are a style that you can really get creative with. This look is sophisticated because the braids only start at the base of the neck, and are twisted and pulled to create these lovely floral buns.
34. Loose Double Braid Ponytail
If you’re in the mood for volume, this ponytail that starts off with two Dutch braids along the side of the head might be for you. The secret to these kinds of long braided hairstyles is teasing the ponytail a bit so it really stands out.
35. Dinosaur Scales Braid
This combination of a French braid with a four-strand braid shows how by pulling a bit on the hair you can add some negative space and interest to your look. It has a dinosaur scales effect thanks to the color and the sleekness of the braiding.
36. Corseted Double Dutch Braids
By pulling on just a tiny strand of hair these double Dutch braids for long hair have a corseted effect that is perfectly accented with the hair corset accessories. Call it a dramatic way of wearing long braids!
37. Pink & Sleek Fishtail Braid
A fishtail braid is not always a boho hairstyle. It can be a mimosa brunch ready take on braided hairstyles for long hair if it is woven cleanly.
38. Half-Up Fishtail with a Twist
Combining two different kinds of braiding looks great in semi-updos, like this style that begins as a hair twist but transforms into a fishtail braid at the base of the neck. Keep your hair naturally textured and wavy for an effortless feel.
39. Cornrow High Ponytail
If you simply love a high ponytail with a sporty feel, then this variation on braided hairstyles for long hair is for you. Two accent Dutch braids add interest to the super clean high ponytail in this look.
40. Side Dutch Braid and Bun
I love long braided hairstyles like this one, which combines the texture of a side Dutch braid as an accent but remains clean by simply wrapping the end of the braid around a sleek bun. It’s an amazing wedding hairstyle idea, as well as a look you can wear as a guest at the party.
41. Bangin’ Side Braid
Braids for long hair certainly pair well with bangs, especially if you opt for a side Dutch braid that ends in a fishtail. This Rapunzel braid is just ideal to pair with long flowing summer dresses.
42. Half-Up Bun and Cornrows
If you like your Dutch braids super tiny, then they might count as box braids. Play around by ending them in a half-up bun, leaving the rest of the hair loose and flowy.
43. Layers on Layers Long Braids
This might be one of the most unique and well-thought out braided hairstyles for long hair, since it starts with chunky braids at the center of the head, and only afterwards was the rest of the hair woven over it for this super unique semi-braid style.
44. Witchy Pinned Hair Twists with Fishtail
The name of this long braided hair says it all, as feathery soft hair is dressed up with chunky hair twists and a center fishtail braid for a chunky look. The moon and stone hair ornament gives a distinct pagan vibe.
45. Asymmetrical Double Braid Fun
These double Dutch braids stand out because they sit on a slight angle on the head, instead of being traditionally symmetrical. They end in a fishtail, with a lot of loose hair below for a relaxed yet unique style.
46. Dutch Feather Loop Braid
Keeping loop long hair braids (braids where strands were slightly pulled out for a textured, negative space effect) so clean is definitely a work of mastery. It looks especially perfect with this peach hair color with a rose accent.
47. Fairy Tail Layered Long Braids
This mess of long hair braids is lush and unique, and its disorder seems ordered for a super romantic, fairytale effect. This is a long braided hairstyle for all those princesses out there that want to wow with their long locks.
48. Anime Braid Buns
Something about double top buns is just super kawaii, especially in these bright colors! It’s a great take on long braided hair, with double Dutch braids at the base of the neck keeping things ordered.
49. Ice Queen Braids
Channel your inner Elsa with long braided hair with a lot of teasing. This voluminous fishtail braid perfectly echoes the blonde ice queen. Pair it with a red lipstick for a dramatic effect.
50. Voluminous Floral Braided Updo
Bright pinks and purples become instantly classy with a bun created out of long braided hair. The French braid at the top is especially prominent. Leave small flyaways framing the face to keep things romantic and effortless.
51. Bling Accents Long Braid
Add a touch of glamour to your Coachella long braided hairstyles by weaving shiny chains into your textured, loose braids. It’s also a great idea to wear this ‘do to a summer wedding party.
52. Wire-Accent Boho Long Braids
All these loose waves beg to be styled into long braids, while a bit of metallic wire gives a bohemian pirate vibe. Pair it with a floral-printed frilly dress for the ultimate gypsy vibe!
53. Woven Braid Magic
By creating a few different kinds of long hair braids and weaving them together loosely you can also achieve this kind of loose, sophisticated perfection of a hairstyle. This looks especially insane on the bright purple-lavender hair, but blonde hair colors will also benefit from this style.
54. Double Rainbow Long Braids
This take on double Dutch braids for long hair shows exactly how braids can perfectly bring out unique hair colors. In this case we are dealing with a succulent hair color alternating the shades in an ombre manner.
55. Woven Asymmetrical Braid
This super clean woven braid is a perfect take on bridal braided hairstyles for long hair, with varying sizes of strands keeping things interesting. Keep it loose, yet neat for that romantic feel.
56. Braided Faux Mohawk
Ultra-tight Dutch braids are the best way to achieve a faux mohawk, because they keep things tight along the side of the head. This twisted version of long braids is extra funky.
57. Disco Lemonade Chunky Long Braids
These super chunky Dutch braids are oh-so-voluminous and fun, ending in a little ponytail. They pair perfectly with the bright hair colors!
Photos via Instagram
