The braid is back once again this summer. And when we say braid, we often mean the braided crown, especially for the summer season. But would you believe it, this hairstyle is often subject to a difference in opinion: some people wear it with their hair up, others choose to wear it with their hair down. Let’s put these hairstyles head to head.
 
The braided crown down. Pucci’s hair stylists opted for the headband braid. Feminine and elegant, the braided crown looks perfect on mid-length to long hair worn down. This gorgeous style also shows off your face. Here, the braided crown is worn thin and is there to decorate the lengths of the hair rather than steal the limelight.
 
The braided crown up. As the models walked the catwalk during Valentino’s show, this is the hairstyle they were sporting. Ultra-romantic, it will bring out the sweetheart in you. You’ll need fairly long hair for this one so that the crown can reach all the way around your head without losing volume. For an ultra-trendy boho braid, pull a few sections of hair out of your crown.
 
Our verdict. Though we love the headband version of the braided crown, it’s hard to resist its up-do version. A key style for summer 2013, it is perfect for both the office and those summer evenings on a sunny terrace. A hairstyle that is both practical and utterly romantic.