Side Braid Lovin’

I have no idea how to dress myself anymore.

Even though I’ve read a book on pregnancy fashion, it definitely doesn’t make me an expert, and I’m just getting to the point where all of my clothes look weird on me. I have to find an entirely different way of putting things together and am still trying to figure it all out.

So as far as clothes go, I’m sticking to classics until I get a better understanding of what works right now

outfit

and focusing on the things that never fail to add major impact to an outfit: accessories and hair 🙂

hair 

I’m loving the fishtail and messy side braid trend. Especially right now, since I’m in desperate need of a haircut.

You can wear a messy side braid, an elegant middle fishtail braid, one thin braid with the rest of your hair up or down, or two small braids from each side joined in the middle.

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FishTail-Braid Source

audrina-patridge-fishtail-braid-photo Source

Tricks:

You can do this with dry or damp hair

Use bobby pins to tame wild strands

Grad the bottom of the braid and scrunch up towards your head a few times for a messier look

How to fishtail:

The thing that makes fishtail braids different than regular braids is that for regular braids you use three strands and weave all three. For fishtails, you separate the hair into two sections, pick a tiny strand from one side and cross it over to the other, and repeat on the other side.

*Here’s a great video* on how to fishtail your hair.

Are you rocking the braid trend? What’s your favorite “I need a haircut and am trying to hide it” hairstyle? 😉

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73 Comments

  1. Sana on August 15, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    You are rocking that baby bumppp!

  2. Lindsay R. on August 15, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    This makes me miss my long hair!

  3. Teri on August 15, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    I think you can always count on a nice pair of jeans paired with a cute feminine maternity top. Too hot for jeans? Shorts!

  4. Anna S. on August 15, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    I’m loving the side braid this summer! And my go-to “need a haircut” style is the top knot/messy bun. Unfortunately, I rock that look far too much.

    • Fitnessista on August 15, 2011 at 5:57 pm

      i’m rocking it riiiiiiiight now… hahah

  5. kaila@healthy helper blog ! on August 15, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    I love this style but I can never seem to get it to look right! I love how it looks on Selena Gomez…but I think my haircut doesn’t allow for a godo side braid 🙁

  6. Krystina (Organically Me) on August 15, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    I LOVE side braids!

  7. Hillary on August 15, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    I wish I could rock braids, but my hair is so curly that, when I braid it, you can’t even see the braid within all the curls!

  8. Chloe (In Fine Feather) on August 15, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    Fishtails always look so hard to me, but I definitely want to try them out & see if they work. Side braids however, I’ve got down pat. It’s so easy to do & a great way to keep my hair off my neck in the heat!

  9. Ilana on August 15, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    i french braid across the top, kind of like a braided head band, to hide my sweaty yoga hair. i watched a youtube video on how to do it and now i can do it without a mirror…so much fun. braids are the perfect summer hairdo.

    • Fitnessista on August 15, 2011 at 5:57 pm

      cute!! i have to try that

  10. Lindsey on August 15, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    I wish I could wear my hair like that but I think I have too many layers 🙁

  11. Jen @familyfoodfitnessandfun on August 15, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    I try so hard to braid my hair…but I find it so difficult! I’m totally blaming it on my left-handedness…it makes everything awkward!

  12. Casey@Pocket Full of Sunshine on August 15, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    You look adorable Gina. 🙂 I used to love the fishtail trend! I’ve been rocking the side braid look lately too. My BF always looks at me a little funny when I do it, but he just doesn’t understand fashion. Haha.

    • Fitnessista on August 15, 2011 at 6:04 pm

      thanks girl <3 that's so funny- my husband is the opposite! he loves braids 🙂

  13. Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn on August 15, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    Ahahahah I need to learn how to do this!! You look adorbsss g-frand! My fave is definitely a messy bun or straightening with my bangs to the side — I’m a lazy loo 😉

    • Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn on August 15, 2011 at 6:05 pm

      p.s. I’ve been reading all of your family posts and I thought you might enjoy reading Deep Nutrition by Catherine and Luke Shanahan — it’s fascinating and goes into depth about how our ancestors ate and nutrition important for pregnant women! xoxox

      • Fitnessista on August 15, 2011 at 6:07 pm

        awesome- thank you!

  14. Katheryn on August 15, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    I love the side braid. Like you, it always makes more of an appearance when I need a haircut.

  15. Marguerite Miller on August 15, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    When I had longer hair, I used to French Braid it all the time! Always looked neat and classic! Love the pic of you in the black dress above!

  16. Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats on August 15, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    I love side braids! 🙂 I always try to do it but it only works like 1 in every 10 attempts! lol.

  17. Katie G. on August 15, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    I love braids but I can never make them work for me! I spend so much time trying to do something ‘different’ with my hair, and then end up taking it down right before I leave for work because it never looks right….I just need more practice! Great video!

  18. Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather on August 15, 2011 at 6:33 pm

    I’ve never known how to do a fish tail… So glad to know! You look cute with that bump however you dress.

  19. Jessica on August 15, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    I think you look super cute! You barely even look pregnant. 🙂

  20. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga on August 15, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    The side braid action looks great on you!

    My normal, daily go-to hair style is a low slung pony tail. It hides a multitude of sins from lack of washing, lack of flat ironing, needs the color touched up, needs a trim…lol.

    What can I say, when Im not working and just being “me”, I rock the pony tail.

  21. Amber L on August 15, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    I always rock a side braid or a messy side bun in the summer! I need a new hair cut before school starts back up!

  22. Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) on August 15, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    I’ve been trying to grow my hair long enough to do the messy side braid forever. it’s getting close, but I thought being pregnant, my hair would grow long in no time… no dice!

  23. Carrie on August 15, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    I just saw someone with a side braid and thought that I needed to try that! I have ssuuuuppppeeeeerrrr long hair and it gets so hot with it down. I’ve been rocking the top knot as soon as I get home from work!

    Your braid looks so cute and so does your little bump!! Congrats on the baby girl!

    I’m a new follower, btw! 🙂

  24. Sarah on August 15, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    Aw, you look so freaking cute with your bump! (Not that you weren’t cute before…hehe).

  25. Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola on August 15, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    I love the side braid! It’s def one of my favorite easy, “I woke up late but HAVE to wash my hair” looks! I’m also a big fan of the ballerina bun/topknot. They are lifesavers in the morning!

  26. Shayla @ The Good Life on August 15, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    My hubby loves braids on me so I’m going to have to try this! My hubby would always want me to do it years back and I felt uncomfortable doing it since I didn’t think it was in style, but now that it is I’ll definitely try it!

    Love your fashion tips and that I can come here and get all these great tips since I really don’t read fashion mags anymore, blogs have now consumed my reading, lol! 🙂

    Btw, you’re rockin’ that baby bump and still look so awesome in your clothes! 🙂

  27. Cait @ Beyond Bananas on August 15, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    Ugh I need my long hair back! I miss my braids! And fishtails! I remember those from when I was younger. I want one in my hair. (grow faaaaster!)

  28. Jenna on August 15, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    Oh, the side braid is too cute. I so don’t have the patience, and I’m super OCD…everytime I try the cute messy styles I cannot handle the messy. I try to neaten (is that a word?) so much that it’s note cute anymore. 🙂

  29. Allison @ Food for Healing on August 15, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    i wear my hair straight day in and day out, boooring.
    i am loving your pregnancy/family/baby posts MORE today since i just found out i’m going to be an Aunty for the FIRST TIME!!!!

  30. courtney on August 15, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    side braids are my go to hair style when my curly hair is all fro-tastic

  31. sarah (sarah learns) on August 15, 2011 at 7:43 pm

    i’ve been loving the braids lately too! everyone always seems so impressed and complimentary when i wear them too – i love how easy & cute they are. 🙂

  32. Annie D @ Annie's Simple Life on August 15, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    Super duper cute!!!

  33. blossjoss on August 15, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    I’ve been rockin the goddess bread and other twisty modifications of the growing bangs. Excellent for the overgrown annoying need a wash side bangs!

  34. Cait @ Cait hates Cake on August 15, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    Yes, I’m loving the braid trend! In fact, I’m wearing one right now!

  35. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen on August 15, 2011 at 7:53 pm

    I wish my hair was long enough to do the braid thing. Loving that look right now!

  36. Jen on August 15, 2011 at 7:59 pm

    I’ve been putting my hair in a braid lately for no specific reason, so it’s funny that you happened to post this today! I love wearing my hair away from my face, and a braid is a nice change from the usual ponytail. My fiance always tells me he likes when I wear my hair back, because he thinks it accentuates my face better. Evidently, he’s a straight man with a logical opinion about fashion! Haha. Thanks for the post!

  37. Hannah on August 15, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    you look adorable.!!
    i wish my hair was long enough.
    i am just getting lazy now and scrunching my hair and walking out!!

  38. Angela @ MyPinkyToes on August 15, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    You look so pretty pregnant!!!
    Also, thank you so much for posting the fishtail video…I’ve always been able fo French braid, but never the fishtail! I can’t wait to try!

  39. Michelle @ Crazy*Running*Legs on August 15, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    Aww your bump is so cute — you’ve definitely popped (just wrote “pooped” — you might have done that too, but I really don’t want to know)!

    The ONLY reason I miss my long hair is braiding it! Otherwise, so I glad I chopped it off in this heat 🙂

  40. Laura @ prettylittlewords on August 15, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    I have the same dress 🙂 lookin’ fab!!

    I also have trouble braiding my hair because the layers tend to pop out — plus my hair is cray cray wavy and doesn’t like to be tamed…haha.

  41. Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me on August 15, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    I love that hairstyle!

  42. Kate @ Vet in the Saddle on August 15, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    I worry that braids always make me look like Pocahontas or like a little kid! They’re so cute on other people though! :/

    • Fitnessista on August 15, 2011 at 9:13 pm

      just make sure they’re messier braids- that will help! you can do it 🙂

  43. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com on August 15, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    You are rocking not only the hair, but overall fashion 🙂

  44. Suzi @ Confessions of a Fitness Instructor on August 15, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    I always wondered how to do the fishtail braid, now I’m going to have to give it a try 😀

  45. Laura (Cookies vs. Carrots) on August 15, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    I love the braid trend too, but my hair is too short right now! I am seriously considering growing it out though!

  46. Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food on August 15, 2011 at 11:13 pm

    I wouldn’t be able to survive without braids…especially side ones! My long hair just seems to get in the way and be SO hot in the summer! I think it’s the perfect way to tame your hair, while still looking like you are actually doing something with it other than just throwing it up in ponytail! 🙂

  47. Postdoc on August 15, 2011 at 11:22 pm

    For pregnancy style inspiration (and style in general) I LOVE the Academichic blog: http://www.academichic.com/ Two of them are pregnant and they rock pregnancy style like nobody’s business. Bonus: they don’t rely on fancy designer clothes, just basic clothes put together in interesting ways. Especially check out the posts by E.: the most stylish pregnant woman I’ve ever seen! http://www.academichic.com/tag/e-all/ And I LOVE your baby bump!! You already look super-cute, and I love the side braid and hair accessories. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on August 15, 2011 at 11:31 pm

      i’m going to be going through these archives all night! thanks for the tip 🙂

      • Postdoc on August 15, 2011 at 11:53 pm

        No problem, happy to help! Their archives are totally addicting. 🙂 PS – I tried your breakfast cookie recipe for the first time this morning and it was AMAZING – thank you!! I have a blood sugar disorder and so I have to live low-carb-high-protein as a way of life, and I’m always looking for easily portable high-protein breakfasts to eat on the train on the way to work – and this is PERFECT! I already can’t wait for tomorrow’s breakfast cookie. 🙂

        • Fitnessista on August 15, 2011 at 11:58 pm

          yeahhh! so glad you liked it 🙂

  48. Ali @ urbanfruitbat on August 15, 2011 at 11:46 pm

    You look so preggers! And adorable! I love the side braid too, hides a multitude of “not so well kept” hair sins.

  49. Joanna on August 16, 2011 at 1:57 am

    Funny that you post this because the side braid has been my go to hairstyle this tail end of summer. I’m happy because my hair is long enough now. The beginning of the summer it was the braided pinbacked bangs but now it the whole shabang braid!

  50. Laura on August 16, 2011 at 5:07 am

    I actually rocked the fishtail braid yesterday for the first time ever!
    I love your headband! Very cute

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