7 Fishtail Braid Hairstyles Everyone Is Pinning Right Now
7 Fishtail Braid Hairstyles Everyone Is Pinning Right Now
If your Pinterest feed has been flooded with fishtail braids lately, you’re not imagining it. This braid style has quietly become one of the most searched hairstyles of the year, and honestly, it makes sense. Fishtail braids look intricate and expensive, but once you get the hang of the technique, they’re actually pretty forgiving on second-day hair. Whether you’ve got sleek straight strands or loose beachy waves, there’s a version of this braid that’ll work for you. Here are seven fishtail braid hairstyles that keep showing up on everyone’s boards right now, plus tips on how to actually recreate them.
Classic Loose Fishtail Braid
This is the version most people picture first, and it’s popular for a reason. Instead of a tight, uniform braid, this style leaves a little room to breathe, with small pieces pulled out along the sides for texture.
It looks best on medium to long hair, especially if you’ve got some natural wave already built in. Fine hair benefits the most here because the loose pull creates the illusion of extra volume and thickness.
To style it, braid as usual, then gently tug at the edges of each section once you’re done. A texturizing spray beforehand helps the strands grip each other so the braid doesn’t slip out by lunchtime. Maintenance is low; this is a wash-and-go kind of braid that photographs just as well messy as it does neat.
Dutch Fishtail Braid
This one flips the technique inside out, crossing sections under instead of over, which makes the braid pop forward off the scalp instead of lying flat. It reads as more dimensional and a little edgier than the classic version.
Thick or coarse hair really shines in this style since the added bulk makes the raised pattern more noticeable. It also suits round and oval face shapes nicely, especially when styled close to a side part.
Start the braid right at the hairline for a sportier, athletic look, or begin it lower for something more relaxed. This style holds up well through workouts or long days, so it’s a favorite among people who want their hair to survive more than just a coffee run.
Fishtail Braid Ponytail
Instead of braiding straight down from the scalp, this look starts with a ponytail and then fishtail-braids the tail itself. It’s a great middle ground between “I did my hair” and “I have five minutes.”
This works beautifully on straight, silky hair since the smoothness of a ponytail base contrasts nicely with the woven texture below it. It’s also a solid pick for anyone with layers, since shorter face-framing pieces can be left out to soften the look.
High ponytails give this a fresher, more youthful energy, while a low ponytail version feels a bit more polished for office settings. Either way, finish with a shine serum on the braid itself to keep flyaways down without weighing down the ponytail’s volume.
Half-Up Fishtail Braid
This one’s for people who want braid details without committing their whole head to it. Two small sections from the front are fishtail-braided and joined at the back, while the rest of the hair stays down.
It’s particularly flattering on wavy or curly hair, since the loose waves underneath give the braid something interesting to sit against. It also works well for growing out bangs, letting you pull face-framing strands back without a full updo.
Because so little hair is actually braided, this style is quick, usually under ten minutes, and doesn’t require much product beyond a light hold hairspray to keep the braided sections from unraveling throughout the day.
Fishtail Braid Crown
Wrapping a fishtail braid around the head like a halo gives you one of the more romantic, bridal-adjacent looks on this list. It’s soft, a little vintage, and photographs incredibly well from any angle, which explains why it’s all over engagement and wedding boards.
This style suits longer hair best, since you need enough length to wrap comfortably around the crown. It also flatters heart-shaped faces particularly well, framing the forehead and softening a narrower chin.
Pin the braid in place with small bobby pins hidden underneath, then loosen a few pieces near your face for a less severe finish. Adding a few loose curls before braiding gives the whole look extra dimension, and this is one variation where a bit of dry shampoo actually helps the braid hold its shape longer.
Fishtail Braid with Balayage Highlights
Sometimes the braid isn’t even the main character, the color is. A fishtail braid does an amazing job of showing off dimensional color because the woven pattern catches light differently than a smooth braid would, making balayage or highlights look almost three-dimensional.
This style is especially striking on brunettes with caramel or honey-toned highlights, though it works just as well on blondes with subtle lowlights for contrast. Medium to thick hair shows off the color shift best, since there’s more surface area for the light and dark strands to weave together visibly.
Styling-wise, this is just a standard fishtail braid, but it’s worth taking your time sectioning the hair evenly so the color placement reads clearly once it’s braided. Salon upkeep for the color itself will vary depending on your highlight technique, but the braid part requires zero extra maintenance.
Boho Fishtail Braid with Beach Waves
This is the effortless, festival-ready version of the braid, and it’s probably the most forgiving style on this entire list. The fishtail is kept deliberately loose and slightly undone, paired with tousled beach waves for a lived-in, undone finish.
Naturally wavy or curly hair textures are perfect for this since you’re working with the hair’s natural movement instead of against it. It’s also a great option for second or third-day hair that’s lost some of its freshness, since texture actually helps this style hold together better.
To get the look, braid loosely, leave out a few face-framing pieces, and finish with a texturizing spray or sea salt spray for grip. This one’s about as low-maintenance as braided styles get, making it a go-to for vacations, outdoor events, or just an easy everyday look.
Fishtail braids have staying power because they’re flexible. You can dress them up for a wedding, dress them down for a Tuesday, or use them to show off a fresh color appointment. If you’re new to the technique, start with the loose classic version since it hides small mistakes well, then work your way up to the tighter, more structured styles once you’ve got the motion down. Either way, it’s easy to see why this braid keeps landing on everyone’s Pinterest boards.