AW16 Trend Break-Down: Next Season’s Most Wearable Hairstyles

You might have a while to wait until you get your hands on AW16’s key pieces, but there’s no need to wait to tap into the biggest hair trends for next season.

We’ve got the full run-down of autumn/winter’s most wearable hairstyles hot off the AW16 catwalks, from pretty plaited down-dos to school-ground-worthy double buns.

There’s something playful happening when it comes to hair next season, so now is the perfect time to get experimental with your look by adding braids, asymmetric layers or trying statement textured styles.

Here are a few of the key trends to swat up on now so you have the best dressed tresses by AW16…

Plenty Of Plaits

When it comes to plaits for AW16, it’s a case of the more the merrier. From pretty down-dos with a two-into-one textured braid, to multi-braided punk-inspired looks, it’s all about mixing and matching braids to create a unique (and weather-proof, bonus) look next season. We love the two-in-one look used at Bora Aksu, where from the front models showed off a school-girl pigtail style, but from the back had a more sophisticated, looped-under braid.

School-Girl-Chic

And speaking of school-girl pigtails at Bora Aksu, there were plenty of designers who showcased playground-worthy hairstyles for AW16. We loved the cute double buns at David Koma and the youthful high ponytails at House Of Mea, while the messy bun at Holly Fulton was pretty much our go-to style throughout secondary school.

The Perfect Ponytail

School-worthy ponytails deserve a special mention – from chic and straight low ponies at Osman and Victoria Beckham to flyaway loose styles at Pringle and plait-embellished looks at FAD, the lowly ponytail has never been given so much runway time. Find your perfect pony and get practicing for AW16.

Straight & Sleek

After several seasons of curls and waves ruling the runways, sleek and straight locks are back in vogue for autumn/winter. Shows including Jasper Conran, Jil Sander, Elie Saab and H&M all reached for the straighteners for poker-straight, glossy long locks for AW16.

Add Some Texture

But if you’re not willing to pull out the straighteners for another season, there were plenty of textured styles on show for next season. We saw pretty flyaway fully-loaded looks at Toga, Vivienne Westwood, Chloe and Alexander McQueen.

A Winter Romance

Whether you’re headed to a winter wedding or just want to up your feminine appeal for AW16, there are plenty of romantic catwalk hairstyles to play copycat with for AW16. We love the retro tight textured curls at Vivienne Westwood, and the insect-accessory embellished statement up-do at Romhir. Or for a modern romance, play copycat with the twisted quiff and flyaway curl style on show at Sibling.

Get The Gloss

With the festive season in mind, there are plenty of preppy polished party styles to play copycat with from the AW16 catwalks. We’re crazy about the retro twisted up-do at Gareth Pugh, while the glamorous blow-out at Charlotte Olympia and the chic chignon at Marchesa are pretty enough for a princess.

Meanwhile, when it comes to colour, it’s all about rich, warm, natural autumnal tones so consider a gloss or conditioning treatment rather than hitting the bottle this season.

Fringes of all shapes and sizes are game for AW16 – we love the full fat fringes on show at Topshop Unique, worn parted or piecey; perfect for the unpredictable British weather. There are also accessories a-plenty (Dolce & Gabbana lead the way here, as usual, with other noteworthy show looks at McQueen and Versace) to feast your eyes on in our gallery of looks.

Get some instant hair-spiration with our round-up of the best hairstyles from the AW16 catwalks, below.