18 Celebrity Pigtail Hairstyles That Are Anything But Childish
Our take
The resurgence of pigtails, particularly as showcased in this piece highlighting celebrity interpretations, speaks to a fascinating shift in how we perceive and embrace playful styling. For years, pigtails were relegated to childhood, a hairstyle deemed too juvenile for adult consideration. However, the article rightly points out their convenience, a practical element often overlooked in the pursuit of perceived sophistication. The current trend isn't about literal replication of a schoolgirl look; rather, it’s about recontextualizing a familiar style with elevated textures, thoughtful accessories, and an overall air of intentionality. This aligns perfectly with the broader fashion landscape, where we're seeing a move towards embracing joy and personality, even within traditionally “serious” aesthetics. It’s a welcome counterpoint to the often-rigid rules of style and a reflection of a desire for self-expression that feels both effortless and undeniably chic. Consider, for example, the exploration of pre-fall dressing trends observed at Copenhagen Fashion Week, where a similar spirit of playful practicality is evident in the embrace of Bermuda shorts The 5 Copenhagen Fashion Week Street Style Trends That Are Perfect for Pre-Fall Dressing.
What’s truly compelling is the way celebrities are demonstrating that pigtails can be both polished and playful. Sabrina Carpenter’s example, as featured in the article, embodies this perfectly – it's a style that’s undeniably feminine but also carries an undercurrent of cool confidence. This isn't about being precious; it’s about owning a look, regardless of its perceived "rules." The ongoing dialogue around fall’s surprising color trends Forget Navy and Brown—These Are Fall’s Most Surprising Color Trends also contributes to this shift. We’re seeing a move away from expected seasonal palettes, and a similar willingness to challenge conventions is at play with hairstyles. The runways themselves are also influencing this; the emergence of distinct shoe trends The Runways Have Spoken: These Are the Must-Know Fall 2026 Shoe Trends showcases a broader embrace of individuality and unexpected pairings—a willingness to experiment that extends beyond footwear and into hair styling.
This trend also speaks to a larger cultural moment where nostalgia is being reinterpreted through a modern lens. We’re seeing this across fashion, music, and design – a revisiting of past styles, but with a contemporary twist that feels fresh and relevant. The pigtail, once firmly rooted in childhood, is being reclaimed as a symbol of playful femininity and self-assuredness. It’s a rejection of the notion that style must always be serious or overly complicated. The beauty lies in its simplicity and versatility; it can be dressed up or down, adapted to suit different hair textures and lengths, and ultimately, personalized to reflect individual style. The key is approaching the style with intention, avoiding the pitfalls of a literal, childlike interpretation and instead embracing a more sophisticated, elevated aesthetic.
Ultimately, the popularity of the celebrity pigtail trend suggests a broader shift in beauty standards – a move towards celebrating individuality and embracing styles that bring joy, regardless of perceived limitations. It’s a subtle but significant change, one that encourages us to reconsider long-held notions of what’s “appropriate” and to embrace the power of playful self-expression. As we move further into a landscape prioritizing authenticity and personal style, will we see other previously “childish” or “unrefined” trends undergo similar reinterpretations, and how will these shifts continue to shape the future of beauty and fashion?
Long associated with schoolchildren and, well, children in general, pigtails are pretty polarizing among those old enough to vote. Yes, they are a convenient way to keep your hair out of your face; but so are ponytails and half-up, half-down styles, both of which are staples in many a grown-up's hair repertoire. Sure, they impart an air of whimsy — but the same can be said of fishtail and halo braids, which, again, have long been popular with adults. So why wear pigtails? Simply put: They’re way more versatile than you’d think. And no one knows that better than celebs.
Take, for example, Sabrina Carpenter, who paired her pigtails with loose, romantic tendrils and tiny bows for a hairstyle that looked right out of a pastoral painting. On the flip side, you have Tracee Ellis Ross, who donned a trio of pigtails that were sleek, snatched, and peak minimalist glam. Olivia Wilde and Maya Hawke demonstrated how effortless braided pigtails can provide the perfect juxtaposition to tailored blazers, while Chloe Bailey and Jodie Turner-Smith showcased how protective styles can easily transform into playful pigtails. Speaking of playful: Stars like Ella Purnell and Elle Fanning have leaned into that youthful association, with fun, pumped-up pigtails that add youthful energy to sophisticated ensembles.
Scroll on to see the many ways one can wear pigtails, as seen on some of the most stylish celebrities.
Sabrina Carpenter
For the Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2026 show in Paris, the “House Tour” singer traded her signature blowout and curtain bangs for romantic braided pigtails, courtesy of hairstylist Rio Sreedharan.
Tracee Ellis Ross
“Sleek” and “pigtails” might seem like antonyms, but there’s truly no better descriptor for the trio of ponytails James Catalano created for the star during Paris Fashion Week.
Olivia Wilde
Wilde’s been on a bit of a braid and twist kick: Not long after donning a pretty (and quite 2016-coded) halo style in the spring, the actor-director attended a summer premiere in classic plaited pigtails.
Chloe Bailey
Locs braided into pigtails, featuring face-framing knotless plaits — Bailey was essentially protective style-maxxing (and to stunning effect).
Maya Hawke
Simple and straightforward, Hawke’s pigtail braids added a casual touch to a traditional suiting look.
Gwendoline Christie
One doesn’t expect to see pigtail braids paired with immaculate, Old Hollywood-esque wavy bangs — which is exactly why this hairstyle on Christie worked so well.
Addison Rae
Let’s take a moment to appreciate a style as utilitarian as it is cute. For her 2026 Coachella performance, Rae tied back her coppery red strands into two classic pigtails — perfect for keeping them out of her face (stylishly, of course) during a dance-heavy routine.
Ella Purnell
Purnell’s tousled and textured pigtails were full of youthful energy — a fitting match for her Peter Pan-collar dress and smudged, smoky eye makeup.
Elle Fanning
With frosted pink lipstick, winged eyeliner, and pigtails featuring plenty of pumped-up volume, Fanning gave a masterclass in ‘60s-inspired style.
Jodie Turner-Smith
Turner-Smith combined pigtails, half-up, half-down, and loc styles for a '90s-inspired look with big R&B princess energy.
Margot Robbie
With tons of volume and loose weaving, Robbie’s pulled-back pigtails almost look French braided on her Suicide Squad press tour in 2019. To underscore the effortless effect, free-flowing pieces were left dangling on either side of her face.
Olivia Rodrigo
Believe it or not, these rhinestone clip-secured pigtails were styled for Rodrigo’s first ever concert performance in 2021. She immediately made a splash, with her Y2K-inspired hairstyle helping affirm her SOUR album’s aesthetic.
Rihanna
Does it get any cuter than the bouncy plaits Rihanna wore for this Fenty Skin tutorial? The youthful hairstyle keeps the hair out of her face so she can apply a clay mask mess-free — skin care aficionados, take note.
Priyanka Chopra
Pigtails can be earthy-glamorous, too, as Chopra aptly demonstrated at the Bulgari Hotel opening in 2023. While each section was positioned at the very top of her crown, her natural wave texture kept the entire look feeling the right amount of casual.
Cardi B
Cardi B looked ready to join the Spice Girls reunion tour with this perfectly late-90s hairstyle-outfit combination. Her Reebok long-sleeve and shield-style glasses would seem Y2K-ish on their own, but it’s taken to the next level with her flipped ends and the tiny pigtails above them.
Hailey Bieber
For a more low-commitment option, try Bieber’s version. In a 2022 YouTube video, she leaves most of her hair down, with just the top quarter portions slicked back into braided pigtails.
Lana Condor
Optical illusion time — look closely, because Condor’s hair only looks loose. Her long, curled pigtails are secured by thin, color-matching ties toward their ends at the 2019 Kid’s Choice Awards, letting the upper sections billow freely.
Jennifer Lopez
For a duet with LL Cool J at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2021, Lopez went for a combination of sporty and sultry with long, voluminous pigtails parted down the center. Considering the intense choreography she performed, it seems like it was a smart move.
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