No hairstyle evokes ease and unbothered energy quite like braids. Beloved all around the globe across most cultures, the cherished, expansive style has a particular significance for Black women—a year-round hair staple for us that effortlessly blends elegance and efficiency. And when it comes to indulging in some very much needed rest and relaxation, the style is a must. Vacation braids allow us to fully take in our surroundings and unwind, without giving a second thought to our hair and the additional time, products, and tools it takes to perfect it.
Braids were always a go-to for me growing up, whether seated between my cousin’s legs as she made cornrows feel effortless, or sitting in a braiding salon—a community space where each person in the chair was in search of the same thing: looking incredible on the next step of their journey and using the ever-evolving power of braids to achieve that. There’s even a palpable energy of excitement on Thursday through Sunday in salons because folks are often getting their hair done for an exciting night out or an impending vacation.
The style was an absolute must for our family summer vacations in Myrtle Beach. And as I moved into my teenage years — when summers were spent earning money—it was all about waist-length cornrows for whatever the season brought my way.
Braids are not just a way to protect my natural coils; they’re a stylish matter of convenience and an intimate form of creativity and self-expression. They make getting away so much easier, as I never have to worry about my hair and can spend the time sightseeing, eating, or traipsing around a museum. And they continue to work for me after I get home, as I can wear them with no worries for a month, depending on the style.
This is not just the case for me, but millions of Black women the world over, from all kinds of backgrounds and with all kinds of careers. That’s because braids contain multitudes for us. They represent a celebration of ancient artistry, ease, and a shelter for our strands, no matter their texture. The range of this iconic style is boundless, so we never need to choose the same style twice.
I reached out to three Black women to chat about the magic of vacation braids, how their love for the style has evolved over time, the reception of their hair in corporate spaces over the years, and more.
On first formative memory of braids and how her relationship to them has changed:
Sometime in junior high school during the summer, I remember getting braids done because of all the swimming I used to do back then. I wore them intermittently throughout the year.
I did go through a period where I didn’t get braids—during uni and through to the first few years of working. I’m not entirely sure why, but I was experimenting with different looks at the time. I got back into braids in earnest a year or two before we had our son and I’ve never looked back because the convenience factor can’t be beat!
On her favorite braid style to get for vacation and her thoughts on braider loyalty:
I’m a die-hard box braids girl and I’ve been doing medium-sized, waist length box braids. I have experimented with beads at the end of braids, which I loved, but they are just not convenient for working out and running, which I do a lot of. I have an amazing woman who comes to our home, which works perfectly for me as I can work while she’s braiding my hair. She’s incredibly efficient and is always on time. Support your local aunties!
On wearing her braids to the workplace, then and now:
I got back into braids during lockdown so it was an “easier” transition with people at work, as I could soft launch my look over Zoom. There were a few annoying face-to-face interactions at first, but now folks are used to my ever-changing hairstyles.
I’d like to see more senior people wear braids at work, as it’s not something I see in my industry which is very white and male-dominated at senior levels. I appreciate that hair has the potential to be political and I’d never want to dictate what people should do because one of the many benefits of being a Black woman is being able to change our looks regularly. I think I’d just like to see a broader representation of women at senior levels.
On her favorite thing about vacation braids and the style she wants to try in the near future:
My favorite things are the convenience, the ease of swimming when on holiday, giving my edges a break, and having my whole face exposed, which I like because it makes me look younger.
Goddess braids look cute, but I’m scared they’d be too high maintenance. Is that fear unwarranted?
“My favorite things are the convenience, the ease of swimming when on holiday, giving my edges a break, and having my whole face exposed.”
On her first formative memory of braids and how her relationship to them has changed:
My first formative memory of braids was learning how to braid as a child from my grandmother, who herself learned how to braid using grass stalks on her family farm in Georgia. As a child, she’d style my hair in braids all the time for celebrations like Easter and busy times like summer camp or travel to our family reunions. Now, my whole family loves box braids as a protective style, and my cousins will often do mine for vacation or New York Fashion Week, when my hairstylist isn’t available.
My relationship to braids has been a constant in my life; they’re functional and easy to manage, but they also carry such a profound tie to heritage and identity which is deeply significant to me. I gravitate toward different styles now than when I was younger. As a child, I’d wear cornrows with barrettes attached or braided ponytails affixed with ribbons. Today, I’m all about box braids.
On her favorite braid style to get for vacation and her thoughts on braider loyalty:
I switch it up every time honestly. I love braids so much that I could never choose just one style. Right now, I’m rocking a style that has micro braids around my crown and sew-in extensions in the back. But I’ve been known to wear jumbo box braids for Fashion Week so I don’t have to worry about my hair given my aggressive show schedule. I wear boho braids on vacation because I love to swim and I’m all about that effortless, breezy look. I even use braids to experiment with hair color and I add a little blonde in over the summer.
I am loyal to Ricky Davii, who is a hair whiz and does a phenomenal job with my braids while also maintaining the health of my hair and protecting my edges.
“My first formative memory of braids was learning how to braid as a child from my grandmother, who herself learned how to braid using grass stalks on her family farm in Georgia.”
On wearing her braids to the workplace post-vacation, then and now:
I’ve definitely heard stories about braids being poorly received in the workplace, but fortunately, I haven’t experienced that (though my afro wasn’t always embraced). I am really intentional about wearing braids in every scenario from office days to vacation to red carpets— I even wore braids to the Met Gala. Braids are so versatile; they’re fancy, breezy, professional, and effortless, all at once.
On her favorite thing about braids and the style she wants to try in the near future:
I love the history behind braids and their cultural significance. They’re such an innovative style that’s intrinsic to the Black community. I get so excited seeing all the imaginative variations, from braids with beads for kids to cornrows with fun designs to box braids. Our creativity is really endless. I also love that it’s a style that was passed down through generations in my family.
I really love the Gemini box braid trend with two hair colors. I’ve seen people rock contrasting colors like red and black, but I might do something more complementary like brown and blonde.
On how her relationship to braids began in adulthood:
I didn’t start wearing braids until I moved to Harlem in my early twenties, after my big chop. On 125th Street, the hair braiding mecca, I discovered Aminata Hair Braiding. What began as a seasonal protective style for the summer and a way to add versatility to my look after the big chop evolved into a year-round sense of ease and expression, especially during vacations.
My relationship with braids has evolved gradually over time and then rapidly post-pandemic. I transitioned from my go-to 1B mid-back box braids to trying all sorts of styles: twists, straight back cornrows, chunky and boho braids, braided bobs, and even experimenting with different colors like auburn and blonde. This versatility paralleled my style evolution and growing confidence in my own skin. It feels great to unlock different looks and personalities with braids to complement them.
On her favorite braid style to get for vacation and her thoughts on braider loyalty:
I feel most beautiful with simple cornrows and my baby hairs neatly laid down. Sometimes, the ends are tucked into buns, braided at my shoulders, or extended with additional hair braided in.
There’s an inherent rule among Black women: we have different stylists for different needs. I’ll always give credit to Aminata Hair Braiding since that’s where my journey started. Dre Sanders brought my Maxine Shaw braided bob vision to life. Now, as a resident of Brooklyn, I support Clemence on Nostrand because it’s close to home, and I turn to Trenae for intricate free braiding styles.
On wearing her braids to the workplace post-vacation, then and now:
The reception to my hair today is no different than when I was in corporate. I come to work, to set, a client meeting, or an activation as my whole self.
On her favorite thing about braids and the style she wants to try in the near future:
Braids add a sense of ease to my day-to-day life. As a makeup minimalist, I appreciate that I can seamlessly go from a workout to the ocean, an excursion, or a nice dinner. I would love to rock some long cornrows with Cowrie adornments for a future getaway.
