10 Fishtail Braids to Try Out This Summer

By Caroline Shannon-Karasik
Updated Apr 11, 2019 @ 2:30 pm
Credit: Ian Gavan/Getty Images

If you've already played around with a crown braid and you have the French braid down pat after binging on YouTube videos, then it might be time to give something new a try. Enter: the fishtail braid. 

So what makes the fishtail braid different than your standard plait? The braid is created with only two sections of hair passed back and forth to each side, as opposed to interweaving three sections. So while it looks complicated, some think it's actually easier to create than the French braid. This video will show you how to master technique.

The next step if figuring out how to incorporate it into a hairstyle. That's where this gallery comes in handy. From updos to side braids, here are a few unforgettable fishtail braids to use as inspiration. 

VIDEO: Beauty School: Fishtail Braid

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Blake Lively

Blake Lively is no stranger to braided hairstyles, and this over-the-shoulder fishtail is one of her most famous looks to date. 

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Rita Ora

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For this look, the singer created two high buns, but left a portion of one of the buns out and and fishtail braided. 

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Taylor Swift

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Taylor's barely-there fishtail side braid adds the perfect accent to a classic pony. 

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Sarah Jessica Parker

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SJP fashioned her fishtail into an updo with this wraparound headband look.

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Kerry Washington

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Kerry Washington's braid pulls out all the stops. Starting with twisted hair on either side, her look then incorporates a loose fishtail braid. The look also draws attention to her auburn highlights. 

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Sarah Hyland

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Sarah Hyland's fishtail incorporates loose, face-framing waves around her face.

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Emily Blunt

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Emily Blunt's red carpet look at the 2019 Golden Globes featured a fishtail updo with wavy face-framing pieces.

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Eva Longoria

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Eva Longoria's side-swept hair paired with a fishtail braid made for a romantic red carpet look.

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Darby Stanchfield

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The Scandal actress switched-up the milkmaid braids updo by wearing the plaits in a fishtail style.

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Lady Gaga

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The fishtail braid has been Gaga-approved on the red carpet several times. For the premiere of A Star Is Born at the Toronto Film Festival, the star wore her hair in a looped updo that incorporated the braiding technique. 

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By Caroline Shannon-Karasik