Finding the perfect laced up braid hairstyle ideas completely changed how I approach my daily beauty routine. When it comes to capturing that dreamy romantic aesthetic I honestly believe that elevating a basic braid with intricate ribbons laced directly into the structure is the absolute ultimate secret. I have found that these completely doable styles deliver maximum impact and perfectly capture that sweet hyper feminine energy for any occasion without requiring hours in an expensive salon.
Best Laced Up Braid Styles
Before I break down my favorite styling tips here are seven realistic concepts that provide stunning options using your natural texture as the perfect romantic base.
The Classic Corset Braid
Create two traditional French braids resting parallel straight down the back of your head. Take a long piece of velvet ribbon and weave it back and forth between the inner edges of the two braids exactly like lacing a corset. I personally love this one because the lacing technique makes a standard double braid look incredibly expensive and undeniably creative.
Best for: Long hair and oval face shapes
| Style Details | |
| Face Shape | Oval, Round |
| Hair Texture | Straight or wavy |
| Hair Type | Great for long cuts |
| Difficulty Level | Advanced |
| Time to Style | Takes 15 minutes |
The Laced Up Dutch Crown
Create a beautiful Dutch halo braid completely around the crown of your head pinning it securely into place. Thread a thin white satin ribbon directly through the raised woven sections weaving it in and out completely around the circle. I think elevating a basic halo into a romantic look with woven ribbon makes your natural volume feel deeply elegant and perfect for pictures.
Best for: Thick hair and heart face shapes
| Style Details | |
| Face Shape | Heart, Square |
| Hair Texture | Any texture |
| Hair Type | Best for thick hair |
| Difficulty Level | Advanced |
| Time to Style | Takes 20 minutes |
The Ribbon Woven Fishtail
Sweep all your hair over one shoulder and weave it into a tight fishtail braid pulling the sections slightly apart for extra width. Thread a brightly colored ribbon exactly down the center seam of the fishtail like a shoelace. I always recommend this brilliant hack because it adds the exact right amount of dramatic romance to make a simple side braid look deeply cinematic.
Best for: Long layered hair and diamond face shapes
| Style Details | |
| Face Shape | Diamond, Round |
| Hair Texture | Straight or wavy |
| Hair Type | Great for thick long hair |
| Difficulty Level | Advanced |
| Time to Style | Takes 15 minutes |
Laced Up Pigtail Braids
Split your hair evenly down the middle and create two simple three strand braids resting directly over your shoulders. Take two thin pink ribbons and weave them in an X pattern down the center of each individual braid. I honestly believe this effortless approach completely transforms a playful everyday style into a gorgeous storybook silhouette.
Best for: Fine or medium hair and round face shapes
| Style Details | |
| Face Shape | Round, Square |
| Hair Texture | Any texture |
| Hair Type | Great for fine hair |
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
| Time to Style | Takes 10 minutes |
The Half Up Corset Braid
Take the top section of your hair and divide it into two mini French braids moving toward the back of your crown. Use a delicate lace ribbon to weave back and forth between the two braids tying a beautiful bow where they meet in the middle. Leaving the rest of your lengths completely free brings a soft energy that beautifully balances the intricate lacing.
Best for: Medium length hair and oval face shapes
| Style Details | |
| Face Shape | Oval, Heart |
| Hair Texture | Any texture |
| Hair Type | Best for fine or medium hair |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Time to Style | Takes 10 minutes |
The Corset Ponytail Braid
Pull your hair into a sleek high ponytail and secure it tightly. Create two tight braids down the length of the tail resting right next to each other. Weave a piece of silk ribbon horizontally back and forth between the two braids. In my opinion incorporating the fabric directly into the structure makes a strict ponytail look incredibly fresh and pretty.
Best for: Straight hair and diamond face shapes
| Style Details | |
| Face Shape | Diamond, Oval |
| Hair Texture | Straight naturally |
| Hair Type | Best for medium length cuts |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
| Time to Style | Takes 10 minutes |
The Upside Down Laced Braid
Flip your head over and create a thick Dutch braid moving straight up the back of your head starting from the nape of your neck and working toward the crown. Gather the finished braid into a high bun. Take a thin velvet ribbon and cross-lace it entirely up the center of the braid. This is definitely my favorite elegant option because the detailed border looks beautifully intentional and highly formal from behind.
Best for: Thick hair and square face shapes
| Style Details | |
| Face Shape | Square, Oval |
| Hair Texture | Straight |
| Hair Type | Best for long cuts |
| Difficulty Level | Advanced |
| Time to Style | Takes 15 minutes |
Why I Love This Laced Up Aesthetic
When my readers ask me why I constantly recommend laced up braid styles I always tell them that combining your natural texture with intricate fabric weaving is the absolute ultimate cheat code. The woven ribbon naturally draws the eye exactly where you want it completely elevating your daily routine.
Instant Storybook Elegance
This aesthetic relies heavily on soft fluffy volume combined with structured details. Because ribbons naturally carry a timeless energy you can easily skip the massive heavy updos that feel stiff and unnatural. I love how weaving a simple velvet string into your natural braids perfectly elevates your look keeping you feeling like yourself but in a highly glamorous way.
Unbeatable Practicality All Day
Slippery tight styles are notoriously difficult to wear during long days because they cause awful tension headaches. Woven fabric actually creates incredible structural stability without pulling on your roots. This means your carefully laced braids stay exactly where you want them all night long without needing a hundred hidden metal clips digging into your scalp.
Styling Tips For Perfect Lacing
If you want to know the secret to mastering these gorgeous looks it always comes back to foundational hold and using the proper tools.
Choose The Right Ribbon
Slippery satin fabric often slides right out of braided hair before lunch. I always suggest using velvet or grosgrain ribbons when you are weaving because the slight texture grips the hair perfectly holding the intricate laced design tightly in place while you are moving around.
Use A Plastic Threading Needle
Pushing soft ribbons through tight braids with your fingers is incredibly frustrating and often ruins the hair structure. I highly recommend buying a large plastic craft needle to easily pull your fabric directly through the braids without snagging your beautiful natural texture.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Pulling The Lace Too Tight
Yanking your ribbons incredibly tight against your scalp causes awful tension headaches and completely squashes your natural braid volume. Thread the fabric gently and let it rest softly against the hair so your natural volume can still stand up nice and tall.
Skipping The Base Elastics
Never weave a corset style using completely loose hair. Always use small clear elastics to build the actual braided foundation first. Once the hair is perfectly secure you can weave your decorative lace back and forth knowing the actual style will never fall apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these woven styles work on very fine hair?
Yes they absolutely do! I always tell my readers with fine hair to spray a little texturizing spray or volumizing powder at the root before braiding. This gives your hair enough thickness so the clear elastics hold tight and the ribbons have plenty of grip.
Can I wash my hair ribbons?
I strongly advise against throwing beautiful velvet or lace accessories into the washing machine. The harsh spinning completely ruins the fabric edges. Always spot clean your ribbons using a damp cloth and a tiny drop of gentle baby shampoo leaving them out to air dry completely.
How do I stop the ribbon ends from fraying?
If your freshly cut ribbons are unravelling you need to seal the edges immediately. I highly recommend painting a tiny drop of clear nail polish directly onto the cut tips of the fabric. This creates a tiny hidden seal that stops all fraying instantly.
Are laced up braids appropriate for professional settings?
They definitely are. While they look incredibly gorgeous for weekend dates I personally wear a laced up bun to the office all the time. It is all about how you style them. Using a simple black ribbon makes the entire look completely professional and highly elegant for a meeting.











