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.
This article was originally published on
