Fashion Trends: Half up braided hair

The plait was back in 2010, so much so that if formed the basis for the year's 'it' hairstyle: the side braid. Hair trends can last only so long, however, and so it is that the side braid is now a nice option as opposed to being a trend in its own right. I am fascinated with the braid and with the beauty its structure holds. So with summer 2011 happening in some parts of the world and autumn/fall 2011's fashions soon I thought we'd take the opportunity to look at the other plaited and braided hairstyles which are fresh, effortless, and simple to create.

Here's one of those styles that comes straight from an autumn/winter 2011/2012 catwalk. One whose 'how to' guide you can experiment with and add to your repertoire of 2011 hairstyles. Seen on the runway at Nanette Lepore's showing, this half up style with two braids works for either long hair, or a longish bob.

What to wear with the half up braided hairstyle
It goes without saying that you could wear this double braid hairstyle with a wide variety of clothing styles and looks ranging from the very classic (a la Lepore) to the modern. It can lean to sporty, tomboy cool if worn with pared back makeup. Exaggerate the hairstyle's texture for a look that's straight off the beaches of summer, or cosy it up with autumnal furs and knits for autumn / winter.

But where the half up braided hairstyle really comes into its element is when you drape it in the gauzy layers of spring's 70s flower-child chic fashions, and rock it with careless abandon.