Ok girl listen I know dutch braid hairstyles might make you think of like middle school gym class or something but wait up because Ive been straight up loving side braids lately.
The cool thing about dutch braid hairstyles especially the side ones is they can go from super casual daytime vibes to kinda fancy night out real quick. Its all in how tight you make it or how many pieces you pull loose you know.
Anyway you know me I disappeared down a Pinterest hole the other night looking for fresh ways to do side braids because if Im gonna spend twenty minutes on my hair in the morning it better look cute all day right?? And oh my god there was so much good stuff I saved like thirty pins.
9 Dutch Braid Hairstyles That Are Actually Doable (And Look So Good)
Loose Side Braid with Soft Face-Framing Pieces
This loose side braid with all those soft pieces around the face is literally my everyday go-to right now. Its forgiving if youre not perfect at braiding because the messier it gets the cuter it looks. I wore something just like this to brunch with my girls last weekend and my friend Mia kept saying how pretty it was the whole time.
Classic Three-Strand Side Braid
Nothing beats a classic three-strand side braid when youre in a rush.
Side Fishtail Braid with Textured Finish
The fishtail on the side gives such a cool textured look without being too much. I tried this one for a date a couple months ago and spent the whole night flipping my hair around because I felt so cute.
Side Dutch Braid with Volume
A proper dutch braid on the side with tons of volume at the crown is giving total viking princess vibes in the best way. Pancake it out a little after youre done and it looks so full and pretty.
Side French Braid Starting at the Crown
Starting the french braid higher up at the crown makes everything look more polished. I did this for my cousins wedding last summer and it held up through dancing sweating and way too many photos.
Messy Side Braid with Romantic Waves
Messy with waves is peak effortless cool girl energy. Curl your hair loosely first then braid it sloppy on the side. Looks amazing second day too.
Side Braid Ponytail with Braided Detail
Side Waterfall Braid with Loose Length
The waterfall braid on the side is so pretty and lets the rest of your hair stay down. Its perfect when you want something different but dont wanna commit to a full updo. I practiced this one a bunch on weekends until I got it right and now its my party trick when friends need help getting ready.
Thick Side Braid with Pull-Through Effect
A thick dutch side braid where you pull each section out after makes it look huge and dramatic. This one photographs insanely well trust me Ive tested it. Great for when you want all the attention on your hair without trying too hard.
Some Random Dutch Braid Questions You Might Have
How do you make your side braid look fuller?
Tease the crown a little before you start and then gently pull out each section after youre done braiding thats the pancake method basically. Also second day hair holds volume way better so dont wash right before if you want max thickness. I swear it makes such a difference.
Whats the difference between a dutch braid and a french braid?
Dutch is like the inside-out version the strands go under instead of over so it pops up off your head instead of laying flat. Looks way more 3D and cool once you get it. Took me forever to figure out but now I actually prefer dutch most days.
Can you sleep in these braids?
Totally! Just make it looser and wrap your head in a scarf or use a silk pillowcase. I do overnight braids all the time and wake up with heatless waves its the best lazy girl hack ever.
How long does it take to get good at braiding your own hair?
Honestly I sucked for the first few weeks and kept starting over but after like five tries it clicked. Watch a couple slow youtube tutorials with your hair in front of you and practice on weekends when youre not rushed. Youll be braiding like a pro before you know it I promise.
Do dutch braid hairstyles work on short hair?
Yeah if its at least shoulder length you can usually make a side one work! Just focus on the front sections and let the back hang loose. Looks super cute half-up half-down style.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Charlotte
