Hairstyle idea gallery
Compare gathered styles by height, braid detail and face framing. These fifteen updos offer different silhouettes without requiring every bridesmaid to wear the same shape.
Editor's note
Agree on the level of polish and accessory style, then choose a shape each wearer feels comfortable in. The same relaxed or formal mood can work across different bun heights and hair textures.
Our bridesmaid hairstyles for long hair include loose and partly gathered options. This gallery keeps the focus on fully pinned-up silhouettes.
— Bella Ross
Choose the height and amount of loose hair before adding accessories. A back view is useful for the bun, while a side view shows what remains around the face and ear.
Look 01
The raised bun keeps the neck clear while the twisted side adds detail above the ear.
A broad section sweeps backward from the forehead in overlapping folds. The gathered hair forms several loose loops high at the back, with dark brown depth between them. A narrow front strand drops beside the cheek, keeping the otherwise lifted outline from looking completely severe.
Look 02
Broad crossing sections give the low updo structure without a clearly woven braid.
The upper hair follows several diagonal paths toward the center back. At the nape it folds into an irregular rounded bun, with fine ends and lighter strands visible around the outside. The neckline stays mostly open beneath the gathering, while the crown retains a little lift.
Look 03
Large open loops make the updo airy, with pearls used as small markers rather than a covering band.
The crown sweeps upward into several rounded sections at the upper back. Darker hair is visible inside the loops, while lighter brown strands trace their edges. A few long front pieces and fine neck wisps remain loose, keeping the silhouette deliberately separated.
Look 04
A broad smooth side panel contrasts with the compact curled gathering at the nape.
The upper hair lies close above the ear before curving into the low bun. A few rounded loops are visible at the back, but they remain small compared with the swept front section. A narrow loose strand follows the cheek and separates the face from the tucked hair.
Look 05
The curved side braid creates a visible line above the softer gathered back.
Large braid crossings travel from the upper side toward the nape. Below them, the hair forms several loose folds instead of one sharply rounded bun. Fine strands soften the neck and lower edge, while the smooth crown keeps the braid pattern easy to distinguish.
Look 06
The small upper braid adds texture while the wrapped bun keeps a clean rounded shape.
A diagonal braid sits above a large smooth side panel. The hair gathers near the nape into a compact roll with visible strands wrapping around its center. One front piece hangs beside the cheek, and an exposed ear leaves room for the long earring shown in the photograph.
Look 07
A large central twist gives the back a continuous flow toward the nape.
Pale outer strands fold over darker inner sections from the crown downward. The gathering narrows near the bottom, where the ends disappear into a small tucked shape. Fine loose hairs remain around the neck, but there is no long tail or wide accessory interrupting the twist.
Look 08
The fullness sits behind the middle of the head rather than entirely at the crown or nape.
Broad strands sweep back from the sides into several rounded loops. Highlights trace the outside of the folds, while deeper brown remains inside the bun. The upper section has a smooth lift, and a few thin strands soften the edges near the ear and neck.
Look 09
The accessory sits above the loose bun instead of covering its lower shape.
The crown sweeps toward one central gathering with darker hair visible between the light ribbons. Several opened loops form a wide shape at the nape. A small branched ornament crosses the upper join, while stray fine strands keep the perimeter soft against the green dress.
Look 10
The small bun and dark smooth surface create one of the most restrained silhouettes in the gallery.
The upper hair sweeps diagonally inward with a little separation through the crown. At the nape it coils into a compact rounded knot, leaving the shoulders and lower neck clear. A small reflective accessory sits just above one side rather than forming a large decorative centerpiece.
Look 11
A high gathering leaves the neck open while long front strands soften the profile.
The upper hair rises into a wide rounded bun above the back of the head. Several curled sections create an irregular surface, with a small accessory near the base. A smooth front piece hangs past the cheek, contrasting with the fuller textured shape above it.
Look 12
The loosely framed face is as important to this look as the rounded bun behind it.
The crown has a gentle lift and sweeps back into a soft gathering near the nape. Several narrow pieces remain loose beside the face and neck, with one longer strand curving down toward the chest. The bun is deliberately less polished than a tightly wrapped knot.
Look 13
A small jeweled accent marks the join between the swept crown and folded low bun.
Pale strands travel diagonally down the back, exposing darker inner hair between broad folds. The lower gathering forms a rounded tucked shape, with a horizontal strand crossing its upper edge. A loose front piece sits beside the ear, separate from the decorative pin near the bun.
Look 14
The narrow twisted join concentrates detail just above the bun while the crown stays mostly smooth.
Long strands sweep downward from the top and meet at a short twisted section across the upper gathering. The lower hair folds into a rounded bun with a smooth outer surface. A small blue-green accessory sits near the join, adding contrast without concealing the twist entirely.
Look 15
The elongated leaf accessory follows the diagonal sweep instead of sitting across the middle of the bun.
The upper hair curves smoothly from the crown into a broad folded shape at the nape. Fine light strands make the direction of the sweep visible, while a single loose front piece falls beside the cheek. The decorative leaf lies along the upper edge of the gathering.
The salon brief
A high arrangement draws the eye above the neck. A broad low bun adds width near the nape, while a compact knot makes a quieter outline. Compare that placement with the neckline and any detail at the back of the dress. Do not assume a photographed bun reveals the natural length or density. Ask whether padding or added hair is part of recreating the size.
A tidy back can still have loose face-framing pieces. Decide how those strands should behave around the eyes, earrings and shoulders before selecting the decorative pin. Small accessories can mark a join without covering the hairstyle. Check comfort and hold during a trial when practical. The image alone cannot tell you how a gathered style will feel through a long ceremony and reception.
A photo-first guide to bridesmaid hairstyles for long hair, with concise image-specific notes and practical comparison points.
A photo-first guide to braided wedding updos you'll like, with concise image-specific notes and practical comparison points.
About the author · Hairstyle editor
Bella Ross is the hairstyle editor behind Latest Easy Hairstyles. She curates practical haircut, braid, color, and styling ideas with a focus on looks that are easy to browse, realistic to recreate, and useful for everyday hair decisions.