20 Gorgeous Braided Hairstyles to Switch Out Your Ponytail For

The loose, unraveled version of the fishtail braid: the bedhead fishtail. 

The beauty of this braid is that it's not overly perfect: it's pancaked enough that it avoids looking too precious and it makes a cool contrast to Seyfried's polished red carpet gown. 

The bigger and bolder, the better, says the wisdom of Janelle Monáe. Here she piles a tilted braid atop her head and lets the rest hang down on her shoulders in a side braid. 

The low braided bun: a less snooze-worthy take on the chignon. 

A beautiful long and segmented waterfall braid: the ideal way to accessorize a gown with a low-back. 

The unofficial hair mascot of your average music festival, and for good reason: it's pretty and nixes any sweaty hair moments in the sun. 

A perfectly coiled and braided (and giant) chignon to trump all chignons. 

Kind of like Beyoncé's high side ponytail, except Kravitz has swept up her natural braids atop her head. 

The best reason to dip dye your hair: the chance to try out a mermaid braided style. 

A stunning take on the fishtail braid: half of the hair coiled up in a tight sight braid and the other half left loose and flowing on top.