It’s been nearly a decade since the crown braid’s last reign, when Pinterest boards were overflowing with milkmaid vibes, flower crowns, and a burgeoning festival-fashion culture. Then, seemingly overnight, they seemingly unraveled, replaced by slicked buns and retro headbands; even beehives have been making more appearances than crown braids in the 2020s.
But over the last year, something has shifted. Crown braids have been building momentum once again, showing up on red carpets and in street-style shots, taking on both classic and reimagined shapes. The revival came to a head (pun intended) when, in early July, Zendaya wore not one but two modern takes on the style—both by hairstylist Coree Moreno—while promoting The Odyssey. And if that didn’t declare the crown-braid comeback clearly enough, Olivia Rodrigo reinforced the message with her own crown braid at Lollapalooza, styled with casual glossiness by Owen Gould.
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
“Crown braids are coming back because we’re seeing a shift away from overly polished, high-maintenance styles toward looks that feel romantic, effortless, and a little nostalgic,” says Aaron Grenia, hairstylist and cofounder of IGK Hair Care. “What makes it feel fresh this time is the styling.”
Instead of the flawlessly woven, symmetrical “milkmaid braid” that dominated the last wave, today’s crown braid leans more into natural texture, face-framing pieces, and a lived-in finish, allowing it to pair well with everything from Rodrigo’s vintage Smashing Pumpkins tee to Zendaya’s Schiaparelli couture. You could say the crown braid is having a renaissance without leaning too Renaissance Faire.
