Innocent Days

Every once in awhile it’s nice to blow caution to the wind and embrace your inner child. Afterall the days of summer camp, ice cream trucks and making forts were composed of innocence and simplicity. Why get done up in a strapping Shift dress and high heels when you can run around the backyard barefoot with your sundress whipping around your legs? Ahh those truly were simpler times and for Spring/Summer fashion’s big designers seemed to find something enviable in it too! From Miu Miu to Alexander Wang strategically disheveled side braids ruled the runway.

The look is less “perfect ballerina tightly woven braids” and more inspired by that carefree child who spent the day running around the backyard. Scruffier than its original counterpart, these braids should reflect a rougher texture and matte finish (it’s time to put down the shine enhancing serums!). Backstage stylists would tease strands and treat them with dry shampoo to get that matte grittiness before braiding. Remember this look is all about the imperfect. Hair should be deeply parted to the side or not parted at all for that “too cool for school look.” Start the braid at the nape of the neck and continue to a side. Once your braid is complete, secure with a clear band (no ribbons or bright hair ties please!) and then gently rough up the braid so it captures that disheveled, tousled look. Ideal for managing hair in high, humid temps, this style has equal parts playground innocence and rolled around the bed naughtiness.

Usage tip: Hair too short to muster a braid? With the help of V-shaped pins and a faux pony you can add your own extensions for the needed length. Just remember to rough up and tease the braid after securing it to your hair.

The result: Remember running around the schoolyard as the boys chased you for an opportunity to pull one of those braids? Ahh that was puppy love!