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It's been nearly a decade since the crown braid’s last reign, when Pinterest boards were overflowing with milkmaid vibes, flower crowns, and a burgeoning festival-fashion culture. Then, seemingly overnight, they seemingly unraveled, replaced by slicked buns and retro headbands; even beehives have been making more appearances than crown braids in the 2020s.
But over the last year, something has shifted. Crown braids have been building momentum once again, showing up on red carpets and in street-style shots, taking on both classic and reimagined shapes. The revival came to a head (pun intended) when, in early July, Zendaya wore not one but two modern takes on the style—both by hairstylist Coree Moreno—while promoting The Odyssey. And if that didn’t declare the crown-braid comeback clearly enough, Olivia Rodrigo reinforced the message with her own crown braid at Lollapalooza, styled with casual glossiness by Owen Gould.
ZendayaPhoto: Getty Images
ZendayaPhoto: Getty Images
"Crown braids are coming back because we're seeing a shift away from overly polished, high-maintenance styles toward looks that feel romantic, effortless, and a little nostalgic," says Aaron Grenia, hairstylist and cofounder of IGK Hair Care. "What makes it feel fresh this time is the styling."
Instead of the flawlessly woven, symmetrical "milkmaid braid" that dominated the last wave, today's crown braid leans more into natural texture, face-framing pieces, and a lived-in finish, allowing it to pair well with everything from Rodrigo’s vintage Smashing Pumpkins tee to Zendaya’s Schiaparelli couture. You could say the crown braid is having a renaissance without leaning too Renaissance Faire.
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Despite the shift, there is something inherently whimsical about the style, but the 2026 version feels less costume-y. "We're seeing so many softer, more romantic hairstyles come back right now," says Los Angeles-based hairstylist Hayley Heckmann. "Crown braids have a pretty, feminine feel, but the way they're being worn now feels more effortless and cool." She notes that seeing the style on celebrities who don't typically lean into overtly bohemian beauty instantly makes it feel fresh again.
If you're inspired to recreate the look, the good news is that you don't need to be an expert braider—you just need a little texture.
Marie GaguechPhoto: Getty Images
Oona ChaplinPhoto: Getty Images
"The biggest mistake people make is trying to braid freshly washed, silky hair," says Grenia. Hair with a bit of grip is much easier to work with, so he recommends prepping with a texturizing spray or dry shampoo, like IGK Beach Club Touchable Texture Spray or Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Shampoo, before creating two low braids behind each ear. After securing them with clear elastics, gently "pancake" the braids, i.e. carefully pull them apart to make them look fuller. Wrap each one across the crown of your head, pinning everything into place. Finish with a flexible hairspray like Tresemmé Workable Hairspray or JVN FlexHold Strengthening Hairspray, then loosen a few pieces around the face for movement.
Heckmann prefers creating a Dutch braid that wraps around the head rather than pinning two separate braids together, but her philosophy is exactly the same: Pull the braid apart slightly, embrace a little imperfection, and resist the temptation to smooth every flyaway into submission. "You don't want it to feel too perfect or tight," she says. "Even a little volume or imperfection makes it feel cooler and more modern."
Natasha RothwellPhoto: Getty Images
Los Angeles-based hairstylist Sunnie Brook takes yet another approach that involves sectioning and separating hair just behind the ear to create four braids. (Yes, you guessed it: Pancake the plaits for more fullness.) Criss-cross the tied-off front braids across the top of your head and bobby-pin them down; criss-cross the back braids so they follow the scooped shape of your hairline before pinning them down as well, creating a full-circle illusion.
A few simple tweaks can make the crown braid work for virtually every hair type. Brook recommends weaving a ribbon or scarf into each braid if your hair is short or heavily layered, creating the illusion of fuller, longer braids while helping shorter pieces stay put. Those with fine hair can make their braids appear almost twice as thick by gently pinching and pulling each section apart before pinning it into place.
Meanwhile, thick or very long hair may not need extra texture at all. Brook actually recommends skipping volumizing sprays—which can make dense hair feel bulky—and instead smoothing a lightweight oil like Biolage All-In-One Multi-Benefit Oil through the lengths for shine and frizz control. If flyaways tend to pop up while braiding, she likes working a small amount of Rōz Styling Cream through each section as you go. And for anyone worried about the style looking severe, her favorite trick is surprisingly simple: Leave about an inch of hair around the hairline out at first, then tuck those pieces into the braid at the very end for a softer, less pulled-back finish.