Big braid hairstyles for women winter start with a simple promise: a big braid is winter’s easiest statement. One plait, instant drama. The big braid is the hairstyle that looks like you spent an hour on it and took ten minutes, a bold, voluminous plait that turns a plain coat and jeans into a look. In winter, when hats, scarves, and high collars compete with your hair, a big braid stays visible, stays neat, and stays out of the way, which is exactly what you want on a cold day.
This guide explains what makes a braid big, how to braid a big side braid and a big crown braid, how to wear braids with winter hats, and how big braids work on long and medium hair. You will find 14 big braid styles, from classic to creative, plus the exact steps to braid them yourself. Save the braid you love and try it on your next cold day.
What Makes a Braid Big — Pancaking, Volume, Texture
Before you pick up a brush, it helps to know what you are actually aiming for. A big braid is not just a thick braid; it is a braid that has been made bigger on purpose, with a technique called pancaking and a little bit of texture. Getting the idea right is the difference between a braid that looks bold and one that just looks ordinary.
Pancaking, Explained
Pancaking is the technique that makes a braid big. Once you have braided the hair, you gently pull the edges of each section outward, a little at a time, which flattens and widens the braid. The result is a braid that looks twice as thick as it actually is, with a soft, full, almost woven look. To pancake a braid, start at the bottom and work your way up, pulling each loop outward with your fingertips. Pull gently and evenly, so the braid stays symmetrical, and stop when it looks full but not messy. A little hairspray at the end will hold the pancaked shape in place. Pancaking works best on hair that has some texture in it, so if your hair is very smooth and slippery, add a little texturizing spray or dry shampoo before you braid. The technique takes practice, but once you have it, every braid you make will look bigger.
Volume and Texture
Volume and texture are what make a big braid look big, and they come from the hair itself as much as from the technique. Hair with natural wave or curl will always make a bigger braid than pin-straight hair, because the texture adds bulk. If your hair is very straight, add texture before you braid: a little sea salt spray, a quick pass with a curling iron on the mid-lengths, or a blast of dry shampoo at the roots will all help. Volume also comes from the braid itself: a Dutch braid, which sits on top of the hair, looks bigger than a French braid, which sits inside the hair, because the Dutch braid casts a shadow and stands proud of the head. Our dutch braid hairstyles for winter show how a Dutch braid creates volume, if you want to compare. The more texture and volume you build in before you braid, the bigger the finished braid will look.
Who Big Braids Suit
Big braids suit more women than almost any other hairstyle, which is why they are everywhere this winter. They work on long hair best, because the length gives the braid room to show its volume, but they also work on medium hair, as long as the hair is long enough to braid comfortably. They work on straight, wavy, and curly hair, though the styling changes with each texture. They suit oval, round, square, and heart-shaped faces, because the braid can be positioned to flatter any face shape: a side braid elongates a round face, a crown braid balances a long face, and a low braid softens a square jaw. Age is no barrier: a big braid looks playful on women in their twenties and elegant on women in their sixties. If you want a hairstyle that is bold without being fussy, a big braid is the one to try.
The Big Side Braid
The big side braid is the most wearable version of this style. It sits over one shoulder, which makes it visible from the front and easy to show off, and it is the easiest big braid to do yourself. If you have never braided your own hair, start here.
How to Braid a Big Side Braid
To braid a big side braid, start with clean, dry hair that has a little texture in it. Sweep all the hair over one shoulder and divide it into three sections. Braid the sections together, keeping the braid loose rather than tight, and secure the end with a snag-free elastic. Then pancake the braid, pulling each loop outward gently, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Pull the face-framing pieces loose around your forehead and temples, which softens the look and makes the braid look bigger. Finish with a little hairspray to hold the shape. The whole process takes five minutes once you have done it a few times, and the result is a bold, voluminous braid that looks like you spent much longer on it. If your hair is very long, a side braid is the easiest big braid to wear, because the weight of the hair keeps it in place.
Styling the Side Braid
Styling a big side braid is about making it look intentional rather than accidental. A deep side part will give the braid more volume at the crown, and a little texturizing spray at the roots will keep it from falling flat. If you want to dress the braid up, add a velvet ribbon at the end, a gold hair cuff, or a few small pins along the length. For a casual look, leave the braid loose and a little bit messy, with a few face-framing pieces pulled out. For a polished look, keep the braid neat and the pancaking even, and finish with a shine spray. The side braid works beautifully with a coat and a scarf, because the braid sits over the shoulder where it stays visible, and it works with a hat too, as long as the hat sits above the braid. A big side braid with a camel coat and a cream scarf is one of the most flattering winter looks there is.
Side Braid for Different Hair
A big side braid works differently on different hair types, and knowing what to expect will help you love the style from day one. On thick hair, a side braid is naturally big and full, and it holds its shape all day without much help. On fine hair, a side braid needs a little more work: add texture with dry shampoo or sea salt spray before you braid, and pancake the braid generously to make it look fuller. On curly hair, a side braid is at its most voluminous, because the curls add bulk, but you may need a little curl cream to keep the frizz under control. On wavy hair, a side braid is the easiest of all, because the natural wave gives the braid texture and movement. Whatever your hair type, the key is to braid loosely and pancake generously, because a tight braid will always look smaller than a loose one.
The Big Crown Braid
The big crown braid is the most dramatic version of this style. It wraps around the head like a crown, which makes it look regal and romantic, and it is the braid to choose for a party, a wedding, or any occasion when you want to look like you made an effort.
How to Braid a Big Crown Braid
To braid a big crown braid, start with clean, dry hair that has a little texture in it. Part the hair in the middle and divide it into two sections. Braid each section into a Dutch braid, starting at the nape and working your way up and around the head, and secure each end with a snag-free elastic. Then pancake both braids, pulling each loop outward gently, and pin them across the top of the head, tucking the ends underneath and securing them with bobby pins. The two braids should meet at the top and look like one continuous crown. Finish with a little hairspray to hold the shape. The whole process takes fifteen minutes once you have done it a few times, and the result is a bold, regal braid that looks like it took an hour. If you have never braided a crown before, practice on a weekend, because it is easier than it looks but it does take a few tries to get right.
Styling the Crown Braid
Styling a big crown braid is about making it look soft and romantic rather than severe. Pull a few face-framing pieces loose around your forehead and temples, which softens the look and makes the crown look bigger. If you want to dress the braid up, add small flowers, a gold hair vine, or a few pearl pins along the length. For a casual look, leave the crown braid loose and a little bit messy, with a few wisps pulled out. For a formal look, keep the crown neat and the pancaking even, and finish with a shine spray. The crown braid works beautifully with an off-the-shoulder top or a dress, because the braid frames the face and the neck, and it works with a coat too, as long as the coat does not squash the crown. A big crown braid with a velvet dress is one of the most romantic winter looks there is.
Crown Braid for Events
A big crown braid is the braid to choose for events, because it looks intentional and polished without needing a salon appointment. For a winter wedding, a crown braid with a few fresh flowers or a gold hair vine is a beautiful alternative to an updo, and it will stay in place all night. For a holiday party, a crown braid with a velvet ribbon or a few sparkly pins is festive without being costume-y. For a formal dinner, a crown braid with a sleek, glossy finish looks elegant and expensive. The key is to make the crown braid look like a choice, not an accident: keep the parting clean, the pancaking even, and the finish polished. Our bubble braid hairstyles for winter show another bold, voluminous braid style, if you want to compare. A crown braid is also a great protective style for winter, because it keeps the ends tucked away from the cold.
Big Braids With Winter Hats
One of the best things about a big braid is how well it works with winter hats. The braid sits low and out of the way, which means it does not get squashed by a beanie or a beret, and it stays visible even when you are bundled up. Here is how to make the most of it.
Braids and Beanies
A beanie and a big braid are a natural pair. The beanie sits on top of the head, and the braid hangs down the back or over the shoulder, where it stays visible and neat. To wear them together, braid your hair first, then put the beanie on, pulling it down just above the braid. The braid should sit below the beanie, not under it, so the volume is not squashed. If your beanie is very tight, a looser braid will work better, because a tight braid can get flattened by the hat. A chunky knit beanie in a neutral color looks beautiful with a big braid, because the texture of the hat echoes the texture of the braid. And when you take the beanie off, the braid will still look good, because it has not been disturbed. A big braid and a beanie is the easiest winter hairstyle there is.
Braids and Berets
A beret and a big braid are a chic combination that feels very Parisian. The beret sits tilted to one side, and the braid hangs down the opposite shoulder, which creates a lovely asymmetry. To wear them together, braid your hair first, then place the beret on the side opposite the braid, tilting it slightly. The beret should sit above the braid, not on top of it, so the volume is not squashed. A wool beret in burgundy, forest green, or camel looks beautiful with a big braid, because the rich color warms up the whole look. And when you take the beret off, the braid will still look good, because it has not been disturbed. A big braid and a beret is one of the most elegant winter combinations there is, and it takes no effort at all.
Keeping the Braid Neat Under a Hat
Keeping a big braid neat under a hat takes a little care, but it is worth it. The key is to braid loosely and pancake gently, so the braid has room to move without getting squashed. Use a snag-free elastic at the end, and a little hairspray to hold the shape, so the braid does not come undone when you put the hat on and take it off. Avoid hats that are very tight, because they will flatten the braid and make it look smaller. And if your braid does get a little squashed, just re-pancake it gently when you take the hat off, pulling the loops outward again to restore the volume. A big braid is a resilient hairstyle, and it will bounce back with a little attention. The hat is not the enemy of the braid; it is just something to work around.
Big Braids for Long vs Medium Hair
Big braids work at every length, but they behave differently on long and medium hair. The same braid can look dramatic and flowing on long hair and neat and compact on medium hair, and both are beautiful. The difference is in the technique, not the style itself.
Big Braids for Long Hair
On long hair, a big braid is at its most dramatic. The length gives the braid room to show its full volume, from the crown to the ends, and the movement of long hair makes the braid look alive. Long hair also holds a big braid better, because the weight of the hair keeps it in place all day. The key is to keep the ends healthy, because damaged ends do not hold a braid well and can look frizzy and thin. Get a trim every eight weeks, even if it is just a dusting, and use a weekly hair mask to keep the lengths soft. Long hair also gives you more options: a side braid, a crown braid, a fishtail braid, or a Dutch braid will all work, and each one will look different. If you have long hair, a big braid is the easiest way to make it look intentional.
Big Braids for Medium Hair
On medium hair, a big braid is at its most practical. The length is long enough to braid comfortably, but short enough that the braid does not get in the way. The key is to add texture before you braid, because medium hair can look thin in a braid if it is very smooth. Use dry shampoo or sea salt spray at the roots, and pancake the braid generously to make it look fuller. A side braid works best on medium hair, because the braid sits over the shoulder where it stays visible, and a crown braid can work too, as long as the hair is long enough to wrap around the head. Our winter protective hairstyles for natural hair show how braids can protect medium and long hair in winter, if you want to compare. Medium hair also grows out gracefully in a braid, because the ends are tucked away from the cold.
Here are the 14 big braid styles in this guide, at a glance, so you can point to the one you want to try.
- Classic big side braid: the true big braid, loose and pancaked, the version most women picture first.
- Big Dutch braid: a braid that sits on top of the hair, for maximum volume and drama.
- Big French braid: a braid that sits inside the hair, for a softer, more classic look.
- Big crown braid: a braid that wraps around the head like a crown, for events and parties.
- Big fishtail braid: a delicate, intricate braid that looks bigger when it is pancaked.
- Big bubble braid: a playful, voluminous braid made with elastics and pancaking.
- Big side braid with a ribbon: a velvet ribbon woven through the braid for a festive touch.
- Big braid with face-framing pieces: loose pieces around the face that soften the whole look.
- Big low braid: a braid that sits low at the nape, for a relaxed, effortless feel.
- Big double braids: two braids, one on each side, for a playful, youthful look.
- Big braid with a hat: a braid worn with a beanie or a beret, for cold days.
- Big braided ponytail: a braid that starts as a ponytail and ends as a plait, for extra height.
- Big waterfall braid: a braid that lets pieces fall through, for a romantic, bohemian feel.
- Big braided updo: a braid wrapped into a bun, for a polished, elegant finish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Big Braid Hairstyles
How do I make a braid look big? Pancaking is the key. Once you have braided the hair, gently pull the edges of each loop outward, a little at a time, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Add texture before you braid with dry shampoo or sea salt spray, and braid loosely rather than tightly. A Dutch braid will always look bigger than a French braid, because it sits on top of the hair.
How do I keep a big braid full all day? Start with hair that has texture in it, braid loosely, and pancake generously. Use a little hairspray to hold the shape, and a snag-free elastic at the end. If the braid starts to flatten during the day, re-pancake it gently by pulling the loops outward again. Avoid touching the braid too much, because the more you touch it, the flatter it gets.
Can I do a big braid on fine hair? Yes. Add texture with dry shampoo or sea salt spray before you braid, and pancake the braid generously to make it look fuller. A Dutch braid will look bigger than a French braid on fine hair, because it sits on top of the head. You can also add a hair extension or a braid filler if you want even more volume, but most fine-haired women find that pancaking is enough.
How do I keep a big braid neat under a hat? Braid loosely and pancake gently, so the braid has room to move without getting squashed. Use a snag-free elastic and a little hairspray, and avoid hats that are very tight. When you take the hat off, re-pancake the braid gently to restore the volume. A big braid is resilient, and it will bounce back with a little attention.
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A big braid is the rare winter hairstyle that feels both bold and easy, and it suits more women than you might think. Whether you go for a side braid, a crown braid, or a bubble braid, the key is volume: pancake generously, braid loosely, and let the braid do the talking. Save your favorite braid from this guide, try it on your next cold day, and enjoy the hairstyle that makes winter feel effortless. Follow Nova Fashion on Pinterest for more winter hairstyle ideas, and save the braid before your next cold day.