Good Braid vs. Bad Braid

The minute I saw the hair at the Alexander Wang show last week, I was pretty certain it would end up being my favorite, and I was right.

That super long, messy thick side braid was at once totally runway edgy and completely wearable, even if you’re not a supermodel. Though Frankie Rayder was spotted rocking hers at the gas station party later. You know it’s good when the girls don’t want to change after the show. It’s sure to become a major beauty trend and I cannot freaking wait for my hair to be long enough to properly pull this off.

Now let’s take a look at the dark side of the trend, as evidenced by Blake Lively last night at the Emmys. I like to think that, perhaps, she had taken note of the Wang moment and was trying to make it her own, but it was just a massive fail in my opinion. And she could do so much with her amazing head of hair. It was pulled too tight in the front and the braid itself look like a bit of a stiff mess. Plus, everything starts out neat and tidy and then…I just don’t know what happens.

I’ll be sticking with the looser Wang version, for sure.

Thoughts?

posted by Annie

Sep 21, 2009 2:10PM

Agreed with the Blake thing. The loose plait (especially French) has always been a bit of a trend at my school (though often in a more hair-flicky/eighties way), but I love it in a more Wang way.

posted by guest

Sep 21, 2009 2:19PM

blake just looked completly cheap. the dress, the hair, it was all bad.

posted by Guest1

Agreed!
I looove wearing my hair in a loose side braid, its the easiest look and quick!

posted by ShopMBgirl

Sep 21, 2009 2:23PM

AGREED. I commented about that in an earlier post...the second she walked out to present with Leighton last night I was channeling my own inner Gossip Girl moment with a : "WTF!"

posted by kate

Sep 21, 2009 2:27PM

love the side braid. snowboard bettys have been rockin this look for, like, ever.

posted by StephanieChic

Sep 21, 2009 2:32PM

a g r e e d. was not a fan of blake's 'do last night at all.
Wang takes the cake, not like it was even a question though. but it's clear many of us, with his show so fresh in our minds, were inclined to compare blake's take on his braids to the actual thing....plus imo with that over the top dress, a more casual à-la-wang hairstyle wouldn't have hurt blake, but i guess she's all about going all out and doing it all the way.

posted by fashionursta

Sep 21, 2009 2:33PM

I so agree with you about Blake's braid- too neat and stiff looking. I too am growing may hair just a bit longer so I can wear braids (and this was before the Wang runway show). My hair stylist does some shows and styles the Vena Cava girls as well, and she has been doing my hair in French braids all around my head until I can have a longer one (or two). I got my hair done on Friday in braids and they are still in! (albeit a little messier, but I like that). When you put your hair in braids, no one knows if you are having a bad hair day, and it adds an instant edge to your look.

posted by rockferry

Sep 21, 2009 3:19PM

The way Blake's hair is braided all the way down, too ... ahhhhh. And the slicked-back look on top is totally what we used to do in gymnastics, not at all the look needed for a red carpet.

posted by Amanda

Sep 21, 2009 3:54PM

I love the Wang version. It's more casual and carefree, which I think is the best way to wear a braid when you are over the age of 12.

Sep 21, 2009 4:06PM

the braids were the only thing i liked at the alexander wang show. and i loved them!

posted by maladroite

Sep 21, 2009 4:44PM

Agreed. The Wang braid looks quite effortless whereas Blake's plait looks Lara Croft-y.

http://tdotfashion.blogspot.com

posted by Belle de Jour

Sep 21, 2009 6:03PM

Wang's braid ROCKED. Blake's braid bombed.

Sep 21, 2009 6:21PM

as i've said before- she needs a better stylist. She always manages to look a hot mess on the red carpet.

posted by barboleta

Sep 21, 2009 6:48PM

I have the exact same hair as both girls; I definitely did that tortuously pulled scalp/ messy rope to a tangled little wither deal every day when I was 13... glad I got over that!

But the side braid is very nice. An in between, if you do actually need to have your hair out of your face, is a not so neatly pulled back high pontytail meets braid. Make a ponytail sans brush and gel (please no gel), then braid it looselyand not all the way down. It is cute.

And not to sound like a bumptious brat since I just said I had this hair, but super long super thick blonde hair is really not very common, so why even discuss it? There are way more bearable midriffs around town.

posted by GUEST

Sep 21, 2009 8:48PM

Blake is so cheap looking. And way too big to be wearing anything so low cut on the red carpet. Ick. The hair at Wang was lovely.

posted by Shauna

Sep 22, 2009 9:09AM

love wang's braids...not waiting until spring to sport. x
http://www.newandworthy.com/where-to-the-side-wangstyle_329/

posted by mrsPILATI

Sep 22, 2009 12:16PM

loved Wang's hair and those black lace up booties!!!

I have curly hair, so this is the hairstyle I rock for rainy concerts and skiing!

Sep 22, 2009 2:38PM

Lively is "too big"? That's outrageous--the chick has an amazing body, she doesn't need to show it all at the same time.

Wang braid was perfection... teased & wore one yesterday. It's adorable.

posted by roobobb

Oct 23, 2009 9:32AM

i wear a braid every night so my hair doesnt tangle while i sleep, and have been wearing side-braids since last year.. i guess all the girls at school will think i am so totally fashion-forward! wang's is infinitely better... lively didnt do well. her braid turned into a blonde rat-tail. i pray that that wasnt the look she was striving for.