The latest hair trend seen on the red carpets recently are plaits galore. Whether it’s a traditional down-the-back plait, a to-the-side plait, a fishtail or a french plait around-the-head style, they’re a perfect way to bring a summery feel to autumn. They never go out of fashion, it’s just knowing the right way to wear them for the season.
Plaits work for the day and the night time, they are a great alternative to a simple ponytail and look sexy falling over your shoulder or snaking down your back. The beauty is that there is a style for everyone, whether your hair is long or short.
The key for this style is to always wear with waves, for a beachy, undone look. This works for long and short hair, with tendrils coming down around the face, it looks beautiful for daytime and evening wear. If you’re going for this over-the-shoulder look then hair looks better in a side parting, usually on the opposite side to which the plait is falling.
Blake Lively - Diane Kruger - Tamsin Egerton
For a more clean cut, severe look, opt for a tight high ponytail with plaited hair, this will give a sexy tomb raider feel. This look is great with long hair, meaning there is a long plait, if your hair is short then the plait will stick out and look silly.
Nicole Scherzinger - Blake Lively - Fergie
If you have shorter hair, then go for an around-the-head style plait, either across the forehead to hold your fringe back, or like Whitney Port below, french plait your hair back into a ponytail or bun. This keep hair out of your eyes and creates an on-trend alternative to a normal ponytail. If you don’t like having your hair all scraped back or tight to your head, then wear a looser plait like Karen Gillan below, which adds volume and texture to the hair.
Pixie Lott - Whitney Port - Karen Gillan
For fishtail braids, take a look at this tutorial below, from Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari. I don’t personally like the look of the final outcome, it’s too low down and her hair is too straight, but the main method is easy to understand.
When I want to wear my hair down, but stay on trend, I love to french plait my fringe back, it’s perfect for a night out, it keeps your fringe off your face for when you’re dancing away and getting hot in a club, but also looks pretty and adds a little something extra.
Hope that gives you some insight into how to achieve the plaited look for yourself! Try it out and let me know how you get on.
1. Felicity Jones – Aged 26, Born in Birmingham, West Midlands.
Felicity Jones is most famous for her work in British television, including the role of Catherine Morland in the ITV film adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Northanger Abbey‘. She also appeared in another television film of ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ as Anne’s older sister, Margot. You may also recognise her from Ricky Gervais’ Film ‘Cemetry Junction‘, from which she has gained high praise for her performance.
Felicity Jones as Catherine Morland in 'Northanger Abbey' with Carey Mulligan as Isabella Thorpe
However, 2011 sees Felicity branching out from television to big screen Hollywood blockbusters. She stars in the latest Shakespeare adaptation, The Tempest, as Miranda. She stars alongside big British names such as Helen Mirren, Russell Brand and Alan Cumming. A twist on the original story shows a change in gender of the sorcerer Prospero to the sorceress Prospera, played by Helen Mirren. As a massive fan of Shakespeare I cannot wait to see this film, the graphics look incredible and with an A-list cast it’s bound to be a hit. See the trailer below…
Felicity is also set to star in another huge film of 2011, as the female lead Kim, in ‘Chalet Girl’. Felicity stars alongside British heart-throb Ed Westwick – known for playing bad boy Chuck in American show ‘Gossip Girl‘.
The film is tipped to be the ‘This Years ‘Bridget Jones” by Company Magazine. It also stars big names such as Bill Nighy, Brooke Shields, comedian Bill Bailey and One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush. It also stars number 2 on my list, Tamsin Egerton (see below). Take a look at the trailer…
Felicity Jones also stars in ‘Like Crazy’, a film in which a British college student falls for an American student, only to be separated from him when she’s banned from the U.S. after overstaying her visa. The film is a Sundance entry, and looks very promising, there is no trailer available as yet, but hopefully one will be coming soon.
Felicity Jones is currently filming ‘Hysteria’, set for release at the end of the year, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy and Ruppert Everett. Also look out for ‘This Beautiful Fantastic’ and ‘Trap for Cinderella’, filming hasn’t yet started, but these set the mark for more big roles for Felicity over the next couple of years.
2. Tamsin Egerton – Aged 24, Born in Hampshire.
Tamsin Egerton is probrably best known for her role as Chelsea in the St. Trinians movies. As the leader of the ‘Posh totties’ Chelsea is sexy, naive and funny, a part which Tamsin plays effortlessly. You may recognise her from ‘Keeping Mum’ in 2005, in which she starred with Maggie Smith among other big stars. She also appeared with Ruppert Grint (better known as Ron Weasley) in ‘Driving Lessons‘ in 2006. Most recently Tamsin has starred as a main part, Cassandra in 2010 film ‘4.3.2.1’.
Tamsin Egerton as Chelsea in St. Trinians
Tamsin stars alongside Felicity Jones in Chalet Girl, and from the trailer (see above) it looks like she’s given another brilliant performance, with her signature blonde curls and stunning features making her stand out, as well as her charismatic acting and comedy skills.
Also look out for Tamsin in ‘Camelot’ on Channel 4 towards the end of 2011, in which she stars as Guinevere .
3. Romola Garai – Aged 28, Born in Hong Kong to English parents, moved back to Wiltshire when she was 8 years old.
Romola Garai is famous for her parts in costume dramas. Including Charles Dickens’ ‘Nicholas Nickleby’, ‘As you like it’, ‘Vanity Fair’ and the lead role in the BBCs 2009 adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’. Romola also appeared in ‘Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights‘ in 2004 as Katey, a young girl who moves with her family to Havana, and in typical dirty dancing fashion falls in love through dance with a man from a lower class than her family deems suitable.
Romola Garai as Jane Austen's Emma in a 2009 BBC adaptation, alongside Michael Gambon and Jonny Lee Miller
Romola also gave a stunning performance as 18 year old Briony Tallis in one of my favourite films, ‘Atonement‘. Alongside big names such as Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and Vanessa Redgrave, Romola held her own.
Soarise Ronan, Romola Garai and Vanessa Redgrave all portrayed the different ages of Briony Tallis in 'Atonement'
2011 is set to be a big year for Romola, with starring roles in ‘Junkhearts’ where she plays Christine, a seemingly smart successful woman tackles life as a single working mother by immersing herself in drugs, parties and sex. This is a far cry from anything Romola has done in the past, but according to reviews she has risen to the challenge and delivers a phenomenal performance.
Romola is also starring in ‘One Day’, a romantic comedy, alongside Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess. She will also appear in ‘The Crimson Petal and the White’ and Mad Men style ‘The Hour’ which are coming to BBC2 in 2011.
4. Carey Mulligan – Aged 25, Born in Westminster, London.
To be honest, Carey Mulligan has already made it as an actress, with the lead role in ‘An Education‘ in 2009, for which she was highly praised, winning over 10 awards at different ceremonies, including a Best Actress BAFTA. Her other starring roles include ‘Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps’ with Michael Douglas and as Rose in ‘The Greatest‘ with Susan Sarandon and Piers Brosnan. She also starred in ‘Northanger Abbey’ with Felicity Jones (see above) and as Kitty Bennett in the 2005 film adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ with Keira Knightley, who she counts as a close friend. However she has so many promising titles coming up in 2011 that I wanted to include her in the list anyway.
Carey Mulligan in 'An Education' with Peter Sarsgaard
One of her upcoming films is ‘Never Let Me Go’ (trailer below) in which she stars with Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield. The film has already been released in America and is set to come to UK cinemas in February 2011. Personally I can’t wait, it looks intelligent, romantic and exciting!
Carey has just finished filming ‘Drive’, in which she stars with heart-throb Ryan Gosling (The Notebook, Blue Valentine). ‘Drive’ is about a Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheel-man. He discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong. This is different to much of Carey’s past work, which was often based in the past, it will be great to see her tackle this modern and exciting storyline. With all the films she has coming up, I have no doubt that Carey will be adding more awards to her trophy cabinet. It is safe to say that she is one of Britain’s fastest rising young stars, and she undoubtedly deserves the credit.
Carey Mulligan on the set for 'Drive' with Ryan Gosling
5. Kaya Scodelario – Aged 18, Born In Haywards Heath, West Sussex
Making a name for herself in British television with her performance as Effy in E4’s ‘Skins‘. Kaya has moved on to appear in several of Plan B‘s music videos, as well as appearing in big budget Hollywood flick ‘Clash of the Titans‘ with fellow British actress Gemma Arterton, as well as Nicholas Hault who played her brother Tony in ‘Skins’.
Kaya headed the cast of series 3 and 4 of 'Skins' as Effy
2011 sees Kaya starring as the female lead in a film adaptation of the Emily Bronte classic ‘Wuthering Heights’ as Catherine Earnshaw. The role was originally set to go to Natalie Portman, then Gemma Arterton. However after several reworkings it has been decided that the film will feature a ‘Twilight’ style storyline of forbidden teenage love. I think Kaya is perfect to play this part.
The latest hair trend seen on the red carpets recently are plaits galore. Whether it’s a traditional down-the-back plait, a to-the-side plait, a fishtail or a french plait around-the-head style, they’re a perfect way to bring a summery feel to autumn. They never go out of fashion, it’s just knowing the right way to wear them for the season.
Emily Jane 