Braided Ponytail Ideas: 40 Cute Ponytails with Braids

Braided ponytails can be worn with anything. You can wear them to formal engagements, like your friend’s wedding, or to your laid back weekend outings, like your neighbor’s barbeque. There are braids and tails for every occasion! Whatever events you have coming up, be sure to look through our 40 ponytails with braids and pick out the perfect one for you.

The Trick of Braided Ponytails

We are a bit bored with simple ponytails, high or low ones. Braids can upgrade this basic hairstyle and make it unique. A side French braid, fishtail, Dutch braid, 4-strand braid or a few thin regular braids can blend into your pony or be a part of it. See the examples and tutorials!

1. Large and Loose Braid with a High Pony

This is one way to be large and in charge! Ditch a braided bang, and step up your high ponytail with a jumbo French style. This size creates a lattice weave effect throughout the front of the style for a cool sculptural appearance that will be the focal point of your hairdo.

2. Fierce Faux Mohawk

One of the benefits of wearing a style with braids is that you can create looks you might not wear otherwise, like this fun and funky Mohawk. Insider tip: tease your roots in the front to get the height and volume seen here.

3. Messy Pony with Lace Braid

If you want a pony that’s high in style and full of surprises, this is the look for you. A lace braid on its own can seem too romantic, so balance it out with a full messy ponytail for an edgy-yet-bohemian hairdo. Try styling this light blonde look with an all-black outfit to make it really stand out.

4. Bubbly Blonde Pony

When you are short on time, but still want a funky style, an easy way to update a ponytail braid is adding a couple of clear elastics for a bubble-effect. To prevent it looking like a copy from the Valentino catwalk, balance it with a romantic-looking side decoration. This style looks super pretty if made on slightly curled hair.

5. Wavy Side Fishtail

With thick curly hair, highlights are necessary because they provide depth to your curls and keep them from looking one-dimensional or heavy. They also add a touch of elegance to messy styles and give the appearance of sun-kissed beach hair instead of bedraggled and unkempt strands.

6. Side Braided Ponytail

In this fabulous style, a sleek ponytail is created by two braids along the sides of your head and a sort of small bouffant in the centre. Remember, a ponytail can also be switched for a bun in the hotter weather or when your hair doesn’t want to cooperate.

7. Messy Side Braided Ponytail

This messy style is perfect for shows, festivals and concerts. Feel free to try it out for the next crazy, wild occasion you have planned! To style the undone look, use a curling wand to create waves in your tresses and then back-comb for volume.

8. Punky Ponytail

If you want a little more spunk from your hairstyle, this is a good place to start. Trade in that boring old low braided ponytail for this higher, bouncier alternative. Move your side braid into the middle and weave your hair around the elastic to hide it.

9. Long Messy Pony with Braid

This messy braided ponytail is a perfect look for high humidity. Your hair is frizzing up in the heat? Who cares! It’ll just allow you to rock an even cooler, more hands off look. Spritz some sea salt into your locks before doing your hair to allow for natural texture and volume.

10. Perfectly Undone Half Braid Ponytail

This ponytail with a braid is different from the others as it only covers half the length of her hair. Long-haired ladies ought to give this one a try—it allows you to flaunt your length and your wispy strands, while mixing in the fresh braided style.

11. Loose 3D Dutch Braid

A look like this promotes tons of volume all over. Leave your ponytail loose and wavy at the ends for a very lived-in feeling. Make this style a little easier to achieve by teasing your hair before you begin braiding.

12. Messy Volumized Fishtail

The best ponytail hairstyles are the messy ones! A fishtail braid seems complicated, but is actually one of the easier braids once you’ve got the technique down. Leave a few face-framing pieces out for a playful look.

13. Two Braids in One

Ponytail styles look immediately sophisticated when you work some fun braids into the mix. A double dutch braid that blends into a fishtail is unexpectedly elegant. Plus, having berry colored hair adds a very amusing element to your whole look.

14. Polished Upbraid

A surprising set of two tight angled braids goes a long way in a ponytail. A cool braiding idea to try is an upbraid, known for its reverse visual effect. A velour scrunchie and a smooth pony make a fierce combo as well.

15. Rockstar Fishtail

Create a faux-hawk like style by adding braids on either side for the ultimate ponytail braid. A sultry hairstyle like this can be achieved by using the fishtail braiding technique on each side, then pulling everything into an untidy ponytail. The messier, the better. A sort of bouffant also won’t hurt.

16. Hidden Braid

Who says a traditional French braid can’t be fun? Set your head up for a big reveal. Braid just a small section down the center of your head. Besides, pulling your hair back into a pony makes this hairstyle look awesome, and no-fuss.

17. Wavy and Braided

Adding texture to your hair beforehand makes for a playful ponytail style. Embrace some unruly flyaways around your crown as you braid. This is a great look for ladies with bangs as well.

18. Braided Along the Way

Cute ponytail hairstyles like this are made from loosened, relaxed boho braids. From beach to bridal, this hairstyle is a fit for multiple occasions. Hidden bobby pins help hold a slack style like this together throughout the day.

19. Braid-into-Pony

A high ponytail calls for unexpected twists at the crown. Face framing fringe works very well with a braided pony like this. If you’re looking for an easy yet elegant hairstyle, then this just may be the one!

20. Wispy Fishtail

A statement ponytail updo involves killer details. You can easily spice up an ordinary style by making it into a fishtail braid with dozens of tiny strands. Keep it polished in the front by slicking your hair back with a comb as you pull and position it into a ponytail.

21. A Layered Array of Braids

Cute ponytails are totally achievable when you use a sectioned layering technique. Who knew that dutch braids, french braids, and twisted braids could all go into one uncomplicated ‘do? The magic to nailing this look is to work on your hair updo one section at a time.

22. Macrame Braid

Learn to have fun with your pony braid! The best thing about the macrame braid is its pretty knotted effect. Letting it fall into a ponytail at the nape of the neck keeps this style edgy and playful.

23. Undone Fishtail Mohawk

The trick to pulling off a fishtail braid like this is making it totally undone from the outside. Try pulling carefully at each loop, and leave some pieces hanging loose on the sides. A braid like this is best done with second-day hair.

24. Three Braids to One Ponytail

You can work a braid ponytail into a sleek updo with this idea. Start with three sections, dutch braid the sides and French braid the front of your hair separately. Pull the braids along with the rest of your hair into a sleek pony once you get to the crown of your head.

25. Beachy Braids

Take a stress-free approach to a side Dutch braid. Spray your tresses with a sea salt spray and let your hair air dry to capture the most natural effect. Braid loosely and pull at the sections of the plait once it’s finished to achieve that effortless, beach vibe.

26. Cornrows with Ponytail

For a more controlled take on the braiding game, focus on braiding small rows from the hairline towards the crown. Braid only the front half of your hair and leave the back unbraided for a variety of textures and a more interesting final look.

27. Braids with Curls

Curly hair and braids never looked better! Start with a Dutch braid across the top of your head and feed it into a side ponytail. Once it’s in a pony, turn it into a French braid ponytail or fishtail braid ponytail by creating a small, much tighter braid that is lost somewhere among the curls.

28. Long Pony with a Side Braid

The coolest thing you can do to beautifully colored hair is play around with sexy styles. Try a one-side braid all the way down the length of your hair and pull it with the rest of your hair into a casual ponytail.

29. The Braided-Hawk

Just when you thought you couldn’t figure out a new way to embrace the braided trend into your hairstyling routine, here comes an excellent example. Forget the faux-hawk, and create a fun ‘braid-hawk’ down the center of your head instead.

30. Side Braided Sleek Pony

Undone braids can be a lot of fun, but there’s also something to be said about tight, sleek braids. Any ponytail is instantly polished with a delicate braid incorporated into it. A braided ponytail can totally be a refined hairstyle.

31. Entwining Braided Ponytail Hairstyle

Don’t think all braided ponytails are the same. For example, this one is a totally unique and impressive updo you can wear to any formal occasion. Pair it with a traditional little black dress, and you’ve got an unforgettable style that will turn heads all night.

32. Ladder Braid Side Ponytail

Here’s yet another unique braid you can try out when you want something new. Sometimes a challenge is exciting! Instead of rolling out of bed and twisting your hair into the same old tired braid, explore different options. This ladder braid is easy to recreate and it’s a fresh take on the ponytail braid trend.

33. Side Ponytail with Braid

For a more composed and elegant look, here’s something to wear on a date or to a family party when you want to look put-together and classy. This braid is carefully constructed and leads into a sleek, low ponytail. Don’t be afraid to spritz a bit of hair spray to keep away frizzy hair on humid days.

34. Messy Dutch Braid Ponytail

If you’re wondering how to get a loose, unraveled look like in the picture, it’s simple. Just gently pull apart the tight, newly-created braid and allow it to look undone. Seriously, you won’t regret it! Messy braids are all the rage these days – totally bohemian chic.

35. Classy 2-In-1 Ponytail Braid

In this version of the popular trend, a braid feeds into the ponytail and then the tail is also braided. Double the braids, double the love! This cute style is a fun way to take on the beach. The sun, the sand—none of it will disturb those gorgeous tresses from their style.

36. Double Braided Hairstyle

Check this out! One braid is nice and all, but two braids are simply perfect! To create this style at home, simply braid loosely both halves of your hair on either side and tie them together at the nape of your neck with a frilly bow. Note: no distinct parting is needed.

37. Chunky Ponytail Fishtail Braid

Be a southern belle with this gorgeous style! A fishtail look can be fun and playful or elegant and classy depending on how you style it. With this ponytail braid, you’ll be ready for the ball with a voluminous, bouncy and all-around-well-maintained braid.

38. Bow Braid Ponytail

The best thing about braids is that there’s always a new technique left to discover; you never have to settle for some tired, old style you’ve worn out with multiple uses. For example, look at this fun and unique bow braid! It’s a great way to spice up a boring old style.

39. Double Floating Braid

Combining two different kinds of braiding patterns can take your braided ponytail from standard to spectacular. With pale blonde waves, a French braid floating within a lace braid and a wrapped ponytail seem fabulous. This look has many elements that somehow blend together and appear casually chic.

40. Brunette Macrame Braid

There’s nothing basic about this French braid that incorporates a box weave throughout the middle. Sometimes a hair tie can seem too casual, and in that case an elegant silver accessory will elevate your look to appear more formal.

Out of all these braided ponytails, which are you most excited to try out at home? They’re versatile and fit for any hair texture, so hop on in and get to styling!