Skip to content
Opinion
Link copied to clipboard

The Trendlet: The Elsa Braid

Few hairstyles are as versatile as a side-swept braid. The tousled, almost-updo is edgy, darling, sexy, festive, and of course, fun. We are talking perfect New Year's Eve hair.

The “Frozen” hairstyle is a solid hit. Model: Madeline Angelides, 13. Hair courtesy of Kirsten Evans, of LunaRosa Salon, 611 S. Orianna St., 215-733-0888. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)
The “Frozen” hairstyle is a solid hit. Model: Madeline Angelides, 13. Hair courtesy of Kirsten Evans, of LunaRosa Salon, 611 S. Orianna St., 215-733-0888. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)Read more
    by By Elizabeth Wellington, Inquirer Fashion Writer | Columnist
    Published 

Few hairstyles are as versatile as a side-swept braid. The tousled, almost-updo is edgy, darling, sexy, festive, and of course, fun. We are talking perfect New Year's Eve hair.

The trendlet

The Elsa braid. Yes, as in Disney's Frozen. Not only did the movie spawn the Oscar-winning song "Let it Go," it's behind this Vogue-worthy look.

The single french braid, or inverted french braid (also called a cornrow), is woven along the right side of the scalp and the end is tossed over the shoulder for a perfect princess effect.

Where's it come from?

The ice-blue-gown-wearing Frozen protagonist Queen Elsa.

However, for more than two years now, waterfall and fishtail braids have been fashionable at summer camp, proms, cubicles, and yoga classes. Salons are installing braid bars left and right, charging a minimum of $25 per mussy braid. (I used to get my hair braided on my front stoop, but that's for another trendlet.)

The more that high-profile braid-wearing girls steal the spotlight - like the fictional Katniss Everdeen in Hunger Games or the real-life Little League pitcher Mo'ne Davis (sporting a side braid inside the November issue of Teen Vogue), the more braids will trend hot.

Who's wearing it?

Tweens, teens, young women, older women. Frozen fans, and those who have never even seen the tearjerker. It's great for that girl who wants to look pulled together without trying too hard.

Would Elizabeth wear it?

Yes. I once wore my locks french-braided along the side. I didn't even know I was channeling the icy princess until I watched the movie with my niece. Then I cut my hair into a reverse bob, and I could Elsa braid no more.

Should you wear it?

Of course. The Elsa braid speaks to the cutie patootie in all of us.

215-854-2704

@ewellingtonphl