7 Braided Hairstyles to Wear for the Ultimate Hot Girl Summer

Jun 14, 2023

By Annie Blay

Vacations, rooftop brunches, and day parties are in full swing — and each of these occasions calls for a head-turning hairstyle. I, for one, spend all year planning which braided hairstyles I’m going to wear in the summertime. Box braids, stitch cornrows, and passion twists all come to mind as I dream of an upcoming getaway.

With temperatures rising, it's time to book your appointment. The It girl braided hairstyle of this summer is poised to be boho braids. The look combines sleek, knotless braids with curly tendrils, as seen on Zoë Kravitz and Jordyn Woods, who regularly wear the style. The easygoing nature of the look was destined for backyard barbeques or an evening watching the sunset (more on that below).

If you're planning to be in the tropics where balmy conditions are a sure thing, you’ll want to consider curly tribal braids. Braider to New York and Los Angeles's most stylish, Shanna St. Cyr, says the hairstyle (which combines tribal braids and a curly sew-in) is the ultimate vacation look: Humidity and a quick dip in the water will only enhance the style.

To keep your braided style just-left-the-salon fresh, you’ll want to stock up on a few products. A quality edge control is essential to lay your edges and take your braids the extra mile, says Larry Sims, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist, and cofounder of Flawless by Gabrielle Union. Additionally, a hydrating scalp spray and moisturizing oil help to keep your hair and scalp healthy while you have your protective style in. We love the viral Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil.

Keep scrolling to discover even more of Allure's favorite braided hairstyles that’ll carry you from June through September.

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Scroll through any braider's Instagram right now and you will see that boho braids are the most popular hairstyle. Also known as goddess braids, this look incorporates loose, wavy, or curly pieces of hair into box braids for an effortless style. St. Cyr emphasizes it's currently the most requested look among her clients.

Stars like Michelle Obama and Zoë Kravitz are regularly seen wearing boho braids, and Sims recently styled Gabrielle Union's hair in the look for the Met Gala. The key to wearing them in the summer? "Use human hair to make them lightweight and long-lasting," says Sims. Plus, human hair is also less likely to get tangled, so you can spend more time relaxing and less time fussing with your hair.

"Straight-back cornrows are always cool and chic," says Sims, but this style goes well beyond aesthetics: The pulled-back look gets your hair out of your face and allows your scalp to breathe.

If you want to switch up the classic style, add curly pieces or try a geometric pattern. To really make a statement, say, for that coastal wedding you’re attending, "You can incorporate fabrics and metals to take your look to the next level," adds Sims.

By Gabi Thorne

By Kara Nesvig

By Aliza Kelly

We can always count on Rihanna for cool-girl inspiration. Her tribal (a.k.a., Fulani) braids (above) are just one perfect example. The style — with a cornrow pattern in the front and box braids in back — is particularly versatile. "Wear it half-up, half-down, or all down," says St. Cyr. Or get creative by trying out unique cornrow patterns — geometric, zig-zags, and heart-shaped designs are all popular.

Planning to be by the beach? Here's the mermaid-core hairstyle calling your name. St. Cyr says it's "the best of both worlds," combining cornrows with a curly sew-in in the back. Be sure to use human hair bundles, "because it responds better to humidity and water, so your curls look natural and don't get matted or tangled," according to St. Cyr.

By Gabi Thorne

By Kara Nesvig

By Aliza Kelly

A ponytail is just a ponytail… until you add a braid in the back and suddenly you have an elevated look. (Tracee Ellis Ross and Beyoncé are excellent inspirations.) To keep things looking sleek, make sure to have your favorite gel, a hard bristle brush, a baby hair brush, and hair ties on standby.

"I do a ‘rough draft’ of my ponytail to get it in the position I want and when everything looks right, I go in with gel to pull the ponytail together," says hairstylist Illeshia Lussiano, owner of NYC salon The Way. For extra hold, Lussiano adds a mist of Got2Be Freeze Spray, which tames flyaways. Add a classic three-strand braid to your hair in the back and secure it with a clear elastic for a seamless finish.

With increased temperatures in the summer, having your hair down and in your face can be less than ideal. Bantu knots are the stylish antidote to that situation. Stars like Yara Shahidi and Gabrielle Union love this low-maintenance look, which tucks your precious hair into mini buns while prioritizing your hair health. Just make sure not to wrap the buns too tightly to avoid tension on the scalp.

By Gabi Thorne

By Kara Nesvig

By Aliza Kelly

If you want to take it up a notch, Sims recommends incorporating a braid design within your Bantu knots for a "fresh and personalized finish."

Invoke a little nostalgia this season by flaunting this beloved ’90s bob. "Brandy used to wear this style all the time," says hairstylist Kim Kimble, who braids Zendaya and Kerry Washington's hair. For the most customized shape, Kimble suggests braiding the hair a bit longer than your desired length, past the shoulders, and then cutting it short; you can even add layers. Kimble says, "It's cute, fresh, and a great summer look."

Discover more natural hairstyles:

Now, watch Chloe Bennet's makeup routine: