I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—braids are the most underrated hairstyle. Maybe it’s because we associate them with being young and begging our mom to give us braided pigtails for the first day of kindergarten, but I don’t think any hairstyle can class up an outfit better than a nice braid. While the standard three piece braid or French style are always solid go-tos, the fishtail is a great alternative that is also super easy to perfect!

Model with fishtail braid

I love me a good fishtail braid—not the least because it looks super complicated while in reality being very easy to do. Unlike the typical braid, it only requires two strands, and the end result is an intricate looking weave that is super chic. The easiest way is to start off by putting your hair in one ponytail, with the elastic at the nape of your neck. Make sure the elastic you’re using at this time isn’t your favorite because you’re going to have to cut it at the end. And now the fun begins!

Separate the ponytail into two equal strands. Once you have your two strands in hand, take a small piece from the outside of the left strand and cross it over, joining it with the strand on the right. This is very similar to the way you’d do a regular braid, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get it right—just make sure you’re taking a small piece instead of crossing the whole strand!

Repeat with the right strand, taking a piece of equal size from the outside and crossing it over to join the left. Continue doing this, making sure to take the same size lock from the outside each time, until you reach the end of your hair. To finish, place an elastic at the bottom and cut the elastic at the top. Depending on the exact look you’re going for, you can also gently tug at the weave to loosen it up a bit, giving it a more casual look.