When it comes to special occasions, nothing makes a statement quite like beautifully styled long hair. From elegant updos to intricate braids and flowing curls, there are countless formal hairstyles for long hair that can elevate your look and complement any outfit. Whether you’re attending a wedding, prom, gala, or corporate event, the right hairstyle not only adds sophistication but also enhances your overall confidence.
The beauty of having long hair is its versatility—allowing you to experiment with chic buns, romantic half-up styles, glamorous waves, and polished ponytails. These timeless looks are perfect for creating a lasting impression while highlighting your personality and features.
Formal Hairstyles for Long Hair
In this guide, we’ll explore 33 stunning formal hairstyles for long hair that are stylish, versatile, and perfectly suited for every special occasion.
1. Sleek Low Ponytail with Shine
A sleek low ponytail is one of the most timeless and sophisticated ways to wear formal hairstyles for long hair. By parting the hair neatly in the middle or on the side and smoothing it down with a shine serum, this look creates a polished finish that’s perfect for galas, weddings, or business functions. The ponytail sits neatly at the nape of the neck, allowing your natural length to shine while keeping the overall vibe refined.
What makes this style especially appealing is how versatile it is. You can wrap a strand of hair around the hair tie to hide it and elevate the elegance even further. Paired with statement earrings or a high-neck gown, this sleek ponytail is a formal classic that never goes out of style.
2. Classic Hollywood Waves Elegance
Nothing says glamour quite like Hollywood waves. These perfectly uniform curls draped over the shoulders are a stunning option for anyone seeking elegant hairstyles for long hair. The cascading waves frame the face softly while maintaining a polished, red-carpet-ready finish that is ideal for evening events or black-tie galas.
This style works beautifully for women who want to highlight both their length and volume. With a little hairspray and shine-enhancing spray, Hollywood waves remain flawless throughout the night, proving why they’re among the most iconic formal hairstyles for long hair.
3. Braided Crown with Loose Waves
For those who want a blend of boho and sophistication, the braided crown paired with loose waves is a standout choice. This style works especially well for weddings or formal outdoor events, offering a romantic and feminine vibe. The crown braid acts as a natural accessory while letting the length flow beautifully in waves.
It’s also a practical style, as the braid keeps the hair out of your face while still showcasing your long locks. This combination highlights why braided hairstyles for formal occasions are so popular—they merge elegance with a natural, effortless charm.
4. Elegant Low Chignon Bun
The low chignon bun is a staple in hairstyles for long hair, known for its understated beauty and sophistication. With the hair gathered neatly at the nape, the bun exudes grace while allowing accessories like pearl pins or jeweled clips to stand out. It’s a hairstyle that works equally well for weddings, galas, and business dinners.
What makes this hairstyle truly elegant is its simplicity. It doesn’t require excessive styling yet looks timeless and chic. For women who want a formal option that feels effortless, the low chignon is a go-to choice.
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5. Half-Up Twist with Volume
A half-up hairstyle offers the best of both worlds—showcasing length while keeping hair styled for formality. Adding a twist at the crown with teased volume elevates the look, making it ideal for cocktail parties or semi-formal dinners. The hair that remains down can be curled for extra glamour.
This hairstyle highlights the versatility of formal hairstyles. It combines practical structure with soft elegance, creating a look that feels modern while maintaining a polished finish.
6. Sleek High Ponytail Drama
If you’re looking for a hairstyle that makes a bold statement, the sleek high ponytail is a stunning choice. Worn high on the crown, it elongates the face and neck while keeping everything sharp and chic. This is a favorite for formal parties or evening events where confidence and sophistication go hand in hand.
A polished high ponytail works especially well with gowns that feature plunging necklines or open backs. As one of the most striking formal hairstyles for long hair, it combines drama with elegance effortlessly.
7. Romantic Loose Braided Updo
A loose braided updo is perfect for women who want a romantic and dreamy hairstyle. By braiding sections and pinning them softly at the back, the look creates volume and movement while still being structured enough for formal settings. It’s especially popular for weddings and prom nights.
This style showcases how braided hairstyles for long hair can be adapted for elegant occasions. The softness of the braids paired with their intricate detail ensures the hairstyle looks delicate yet sophisticated.
8. Side-Swept Curls with Sparkle
Side-swept curls are glamorous and flattering, especially for formal events where you want to highlight one side of your face and neckline. Adding jeweled pins or a barrette on the pinned side enhances the elegance, making it a perfect red-carpet-worthy look.
This style emphasizes why long hairstyles for formal events are so versatile. It allows for dramatic flair while still being soft and feminine, ensuring you stand out at any occasion.
9. Polished French Twist for Long Hair
The French twist is one of the most classic formal hairstyles for long hair. It involves rolling the hair into a sleek twist at the back of the head, secured neatly with pins. The result is an elegant, sophisticated look that pairs beautifully with gowns or tailored evening wear.
Timeless and refined, the French twist is ideal for upscale events like galas or weddings. It’s a style that proves long hair can be styled into iconic, polished looks that radiate elegance.
10. Low Bun with Twisted Sections
A low bun styled with twisted sections is a refined choice that adds texture without losing elegance. Each section is softly twisted and tucked into the bun, creating a design that looks intricate yet effortless. This style works beautifully for brides or anyone attending black-tie events.
What makes it stand out among formal hairstyles for long hair is the balance of structure and softness. It keeps the hair secured while still appearing graceful, and the twists add just enough detail to make the bun visually captivating.
11. Glamorous High Bun with Volume
The high bun is a powerful statement hairstyle for formal occasions. By gathering the hair high at the crown and adding volume before twisting it into place, you achieve a bold and glamorous look that pairs perfectly with evening gowns.
This hairstyle also elongates the face and draws attention upward, making it an excellent choice for women with strong facial features. Among elegant hairstyles for long hair, the high bun remains timeless and striking.
12. Loose Curls with Side Part
Loose curls paired with a deep side part create a classic and versatile formal hairstyle. The side part enhances volume while the curls add movement and glamour, making this an ideal option for weddings, galas, or professional events.
This look is also easy to accessorize with decorative clips or pins. As one of the most reliable long hairstyles for formal events, it balances elegance with simplicity, ensuring it never goes out of style.
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13. Waterfall Braid with Waves
The waterfall braid is both enchanting and elegant, especially when paired with long flowing waves. It adds a whimsical, romantic touch that’s perfect for outdoor weddings or garden parties while still maintaining a formal vibe.
This style shows how braided hairstyles for formal occasions can be creative yet polished. The braid serves as a built-in accessory while the waves highlight the beauty of long hair.
14. Twisted Half-Up with Curls
A twisted half-up hairstyle adds detail to the crown while leaving plenty of length cascading down. With curled ends, the look feels soft yet formal, making it a popular choice for semi-formal and formal events alike.
This is one of the more versatile formal hairstyles for long hair, since it allows for personalization. You can add jeweled clips, pins, or flowers for extra elegance without complicating the style.
15. Elegant Fishtail Braid Updo
The fishtail braid can be transformed into an elegant updo by wrapping it into a bun or weaving it across the crown. This intricate look is striking for galas, red-carpet events, or upscale weddings.
Fishtail braids highlight the length of the hair while keeping it structured. Among chic braided hairstyles for long hair, this one exudes sophistication and creativity, perfect for women who want to stand out.
16. Voluminous Curls with Crown Lift
Big, voluminous curls with a lifted crown create a glamorous hairstyle that commands attention. This look adds height and drama, making it an ideal choice for women who want a bold, red-carpet-worthy style.
It’s also one of the most glamorous long hair formal hairstyles, as it combines modern volume with classic curls. Paired with evening gowns or cocktail dresses, this hairstyle is pure elegance.
17. Side Bun with Braided Detail
A side bun with braided elements adds a romantic and unique touch to the classic bun. By sweeping the hair to one side and adding a small braid before tucking it into the bun, you achieve a style that’s graceful and distinctive.
This is perfect for weddings, particularly for bridesmaids or even brides with long hair. Among elegant updos for long hair, this style offers a combination of charm and formality that feels timeless.
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18. High Ponytail with Wrapped Base
The high ponytail becomes formal when styled sleek and finished with a wrapped hair base. Adding curls or waves to the ponytail itself enhances its glamour, making it suitable for evening events or formal parties.
As one of the chicest formal hairstyles for long hair, it balances youthful energy with polished sophistication. This style works particularly well when paired with statement earrings or off-shoulder gowns.
19. Classic Long Hair French Braid
A French braid is one of the most traditional and elegant ways to wear formal hairstyles for long hair. It keeps the hair neat while still highlighting the beauty of long tresses. This classic look works beautifully for weddings, professional galas, and formal dinners.
The style can also be elevated with ribbon, jeweled pins, or even fresh flowers woven through the braid. It’s timeless, sophisticated, and easy to maintain throughout the event.
20. Side-Swept Waves with Barrette
Side-swept waves paired with a sparkling barrette create a glamorous and polished appearance. This look frames one side of the face while leaving the other side exposed, making it perfect for showcasing earrings or dramatic makeup.
As one of the most flattering formal long hairstyles, it offers both romance and structure, making it a favorite for evening functions and cocktail parties.
21. Braided Ponytail with Sleek Top
A sleek ponytail with a braided length is a modern twist on a classic style. It combines the sophistication of a ponytail with the creativity of a braid, making it a perfect fit for galas or award nights.
This look is also highly practical since it keeps hair in place while still looking glamorous. It’s a standout among chic long hairstyles for formal events.
22. Loose Boho-Inspired Low Bun
For a softer take on formal styling, the boho low bun offers relaxed charm while still being polished enough for formal settings. Loose strands frame the face, and the bun at the nape creates an effortless yet graceful vibe.
This style demonstrates how long hair formal updos can be versatile. It’s equally fitting for garden weddings, formal dinners, or even artistic events.
23. Criss-Cross Twisted Half-Up
The criss-cross half-up hairstyle uses overlapping twisted sections for added texture and dimension. The rest of the hair flows down in curls or waves, making it perfect for formal occasions that require a balance between elegance and natural beauty.
This hairstyle highlights the creativity possible with formal hairstyles for long hair. It’s detailed enough to look intentional but relaxed enough to feel approachable.
24. Sleek Straight Hair with Center Part
Sometimes, simplicity is the ultimate elegance. Sleek straight hair with a middle part can look strikingly polished, especially when paired with bold makeup or statement accessories. It’s modern, sophisticated, and effortless.
As one of the most timeless formal long hairstyles, it’s ideal for women who want a minimal yet powerful look for upscale events.
25. Double-Braided Low Bun Elegance
A double braid feeding into a low bun adds detail and intricacy to an otherwise simple style. This look is perfect for formal weddings or banquets where you want something creative but refined.
Among braided hairstyles for long hair, this one is especially versatile since it can be styled loosely for romance or tightly for structure. Either way, it looks sophisticated and formal.
26. Half-Up Hairstyle with Pearl Pins
Adding pearl pins to a half-up hairstyle instantly makes it formal and chic. Pearls offer timeless elegance, elevating long hair while keeping it soft and feminine.
This hairstyle works wonderfully for brides, bridesmaids, or even professional women attending upscale events. It demonstrates how accessories transform formal hairstyles for long hair into something extraordinary.
27. Glamorous Waves with Side Sweep
Long, glamorous waves styled into a side sweep create a dramatic and red-carpet-ready look. This style allows your long hair to shine while maintaining polish and sophistication.
It’s the perfect finishing point for our list of elegant long hairstyles for formal events, blending volume, shine, and movement for unforgettable beauty.
Conclusion
Formal hairstyles for long hair offer an endless range of possibilities, from sleek ponytails and buns to braided creations and cascading waves. Long hair provides the flexibility to experiment with both polished classics and modern, statement-making looks, ensuring you’ll always find a style to match your event.
Whether you’re preparing for a wedding, gala, professional dinner, or red-carpet event, these 27 formal hairstyles for long hair prove that length is an incredible asset. With the right accessories and styling, your long hair can transform into the ultimate symbol of sophistication and elegance.
