11 Ways to Style Your Box Braids, According to the Chicest People on Instagram

For anyone who relies on protective styles to keep their hair healthy and happy, spring and summer offer the perfect opportunity to finally put your hair in box braids because they're effortless and worry-free. We all know box braids look beautiful as they are, it's always fun to switch things up your style and explore different ways to wear them depending on your vibe. With that being said, it's also easy to fall into the trap of never touching them after four hours of sitting in the braiding chair. So, if you've been on the hunt for new and trendy ways to wear your box braids, you're in the right place.

To provide you with inspiration long before you lock down your next hair braiding appointment, we've scoured endless Instagram posts and pin-pointed the trending box braid styles we'll be seeing everywhere in 2025 and beyond as worn by seven of the app's most fashionable Millennial and Gen Z content creators. Feeling ready to screenshot? Keep scrolling to see which ones braided styles we'll be recreating and the best products to keep them fresh and healthy for weeks of wear without breaking the bank.

Milkmaid Braids

Lean into your coquette side by sporting sweet milkmaid braids as your next box braid hairstyle as worn here by model, dancer, and content creator Camri Hewie. Part your box braids in the middle and then braid them downwards in two separate braids. Next, cross along the nape of the neck and pin to keep them in place. If you'd like to add some extra texture to the look, take notes from Hewie and create a thicker braid using any left over individual braids to disguise hair elastics and pins.

"Poetic Justice" Half-Turban

This Janet Jackson inspired look is straight from her 1993 movie Poetic Justice opposite Tupac Shakur. Here, content creator Aysha Sow wears her box braids pulled up into a high ponytail before wrapping a long white scarf around the nape of the neck and guiding it to meet the edges. This one takes some creativity and patience (especially when it comes to folding the hair scarf into shape), but practice makes perfect.

Sleek Pony

You can never go wrong by deciding to wear your box braids in a stylish high pony like Amaka Hamelijnck wears in this pic. To keep your braids protected and long lasting while up in the ponytail, select a silk scrunchie or hair tie with no metal or exposed rubber parts that can snag your gorgeous braids (which, in part, will help you extend the wear time of your style and avoid another long braiding session before you're ready).

Gem-Embossed Edges

Lean into the glam Y2K-inspired aftereffects of HBO's Euphoria by adding sparkling details to your eye-catching swooped and swirled edges. After guiding your hairs into place with your favorite edge brush and gel, select your favorite few face and hair gems to bring on the glam as worn here by content creator and model Joyjah Estrada. I opt for gems in a variety of shapes and colors depending on my outfit for the day.

Half-Up, Half-Down

Here's another quick and easy style we've been loving lately. Spotted on New York based model and fashion content creator Imani Randolph, all this style requires is a messy high bun and a few loose braids to frame the face. It can be done in minutes (or seconds if you have quick fingers), and only takes a hair elastic and some concentration. To add a fun touch, opt for a unique part and an untucked strand in the bun.

Braided Braids

Loving the look and texture of your box braids? Don't stop there. Add more timeless elegance to this protective style by braiding a few of the braids that frame your face and, to keep them in place, adding a small hair elastic right at the ends that matches the tone of your hair (some braids may even be able to go without it). It's the easiest way to add some intrigue and eye-catching texture to an otherwise 'basic" braided hairstyle.

High-Volume Bun

To achieve an ultra-chic hairstyle that can be worn literally everywhere, try sweeping your braided strands starting from the nape of your neck up into a large bun. This style is especially great for anyone rocking longer braids that tend to get sat on and/or in the way. Just make sure you have enough pins within reach to make sure there's no pesky braided ends peeking out from underneath if you're looking for a clean and flawless finish.

Part-Free Braids

Who said you have to part your hair at all? Wear your lovely box braids loose and long, like London-based Instagram fashion girl Natasha Ndlovu. If you're in need of some celeb inspiration for this effortless style, look no further than boho, street style queens Zoë Kravitz and Solange. Just make sure you have frizz-fighting spray and braid mousse on hand to prevent any frizziness from occurring throughout the day.

Face-Framing Strands

This style may be simple and easy to do on the go, but it has high impact. Here, Randolph wears her hair in a high bun with two braids left out at the temple for a playful touch that's as high-fashion as she is. To recreate this exact look, try tucking on of the face-framing braids behind the ears and leaving the other one out. I go for this look whenever I need to transform my look from day to night and don't want to spend too much time on hair.

Classic Center Part

Gen Z may have claimed the center part as their own, but it's always been a timeless way to style hair. If you're indecisive about which way you'd like to part your braided hair, ask your braider to leave the part optional. That way, you can go from a middle to a side part depending on your vibe for the day. Since your scalp will be on display, think ahead and stock up on scalp oils and treatments that will keep it healthy, moisturized, and flake-free.

Adding a Sporty Headband

Wearing a porty and stylish headband with your box braids can completely transform your look. We're obsessed with how Hamelijnck styled her blond box braids with a thick black headband (and how well it complements her sister Fia's protectie style). Did you know wearing headbands designed for activity can also extend the wear time of your style? Selecting a headband with a a sweat-wicking material will prevent roots from becoming frizzy as you get active.

Must-Have Products for Styling Box Braids