How to Give Pigtails a Grown-Up Glow Up

If you give it some serious thought you probably can’t remember the last time you wore your hair in pigtails. For many of us, the style takes us back to a time of childhood innocence — swinging on the playground, jumping rope, trading candy and passing notes to a crush. But if you’ve started to notice the beloved hairstyle trend showing up on your For You page and other social feeds there’s a logical explanation: Pigtails have officially grown up.

The style is no longer just for kids, in fact, there are so many ways you can sport pigtails as a grown up and still look chic and polished. To show you how to rev up this classic school girl hairstyle for an age-appropriate look, we’re sharing five pretty pigtail hairstyles, from Dutch braid pigtails to fun pigtail space buns with quick tutorials to help you get the look.

Why Are Pigtails Called Pigtails?

Before we break down the styles below, in case you were wondering where this odd name began for such a cute style, let us explain. Pigtails actually started as a name for chewing tobacco leaves that resembled the rear appendage of the animal as their bunches dried. Eventually, people began wearing a hairstyle that mimicked the tobacco. 

At one point, pigtails was used to describe anything bundled together with coiled ends (like one’s hair) — but in popular culture it was the trendy hairdo that became most synonymous with the term. 

5 Pigtail Hairstyles For Adults To Try In 2022

Looking to try pigtails for short hair, long hair and anything in between? Look no further than these five styles below that let you put a grown-up stamp on the throwback kids ‘do.

1. Pigtail French Braids

You might be thinking that pigtail French braids are a little on the plain Jane side, but with the right style know-how, you can learn how to do French braid pigtails that look super-fashionable.

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1. Part your hair down the middle or off to the side — either will work.

Step 2. Create three stitches on each side by dividing each side of your hair into three even sections at the center of your part and weave three traditional braid stitches.

Step 3. Begin to create a French braid on one side of your hair, adding loose hair to the left and right strands as you normally would. After French braiding one side, braid the remaining side.

Step 4. Secure your braids using clear elastics.

Step 5. Finally, take a small section of hair from each pigtail to wrap around your elastic and pin on the underside of your pigtail to conceal the hair ties.

2. Dutch Braid Pigtails

Turn your traditional braids on their head for an inverted look that’s anything but juvenile.

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1. Using a rat tail comb, part your hair straight down the center of your head from your hairline all the way down to the nape of your neck.

Step 2. Grab a small section of hair at your hairline and braid it underhand, gathering new pieces as you go, all the way down to the nape of your neck. Repeat the same process on the other side of your head.

Step 3. Flip the rest of your strands up into a teardrop bun with the ends fanning out to give an edgy finish to a classic milkmaid-inspired look.

Step 4. For your last step, pancake your braids by gently tugging at them to give them more volume at each wave. You can also add volume by giving your roots a spritz with a dry shampoo, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Tinted Dry Shampoo for Brown Hair or Blonde Hair. Of course if your strands are neither brown or blonde, you can opt for a color-neutral option that won’t leave white residue behind — our pick is the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Air Volume Dry Shampoo.

3. Pigtail Space Buns

Instead of choosing your regular go-to ‘do, why not switch it up with these fun, pigtail buns for long hair?