Top: T-Bar
Skirt: DIY
Shoes: Mollini
I am very cross at this skirt today! My zipper suffered a critical failure halfway through the day, when I was in the middle of a shopping trip with my Mum, and I had to SEW THE SKIRT CLOSED with an emergency sewing kit!
Not Well Pleased.
I COULD have bought a new skirt (having the one you’re wearing split its zipper from waistband to thigh is a pretty good excuse), but I’m trying to be “good” at the moment. I visit The Sophisticate in New York in less than a month and I’d like to have a few pennies saved up for treats and fun-times when I get there.
Meanwhile, I’m wholeheartedly delighted that I’ve finally managed to figure out milkmaid braids for mid-length hair!
My locks are at that somewhat annoying not-long-not-short stage of growing out a bob, and I’m so bored of ponytails, so I’ve really been trying to develop some new styles.
Problem is, for most hairstyles you need: time, patience, dexterity, a GHD and hairspray. My life is sadly lacking in every single one of those, so I’m already starting on the back foot.
One thing I CAN do well is braids, but I’ve never managed to master the milkmaid braids, which baffled me – I knew friends with shorter hair than mine who managed to pull it off, but somehow whenever I tried my stumpy little braids never even came CLOSE to meeting on top of my head.
Well, apparently I’m an idiot, and I’m sure everyone else figured this out a while ago, but the secret is…..
Start your braids high up on your head (duh).
So, for the time/patience/dexterity/GHD/hairspray-challenged, here’s my Bleeding-Obvious-Tutorial on how to do milkmaid braids.
1. I start with damp hair. Partly because I’m too lazy to blow dry completely, partly because it helps combat flyways, but mostly because it means I get an extra day out of a hair wash. I part my damp hair down the middle and put one side up in a fetching high pigtail.
2. with my head tilted as far to the side as I can manage I make a plait just above the ear.
3… and on the other side until I have two Pippi Longstocking braids that start above my ears and are NOW LONG ENOUGH TO MEET ON TOP OF MY HEAD.
4. Bobby-pin one braid in place over the crown of your head
5. and then the other. Tuck the two loose ends under each opposite braid and pin them tidily out of view.
6. You know have a perfectly respectable-looking hairdo. Well done, you.
No woman in the whole of history would EVER post a picture of herself like that first one of your tutorial- but it’s really cute, i LOVE it! Thanks for being so genuine on this weird place called the internet, which sometimes seems to have been invented solely for people to show off super-dooper photoshopped images who would never resemble any human being in real life.
oh yes, I do love this pic too 😀
Lilli, you are delightful creature! I adore you soooooooo much!
LOL, my pleasure. It’s always been my thing. What you see is what you get, online and in real life!
Adorable!
Ah, thanks Jess. Not a patch on your hairstyling prowess though!
I’ve also done milkmaid braids with four braids. Split each side in half: a super-high braid and a braid that starts at the nape of the neck. Then pin the low braid up–it should reach where the high braid starts, and pin the high braid across your head! (Repeat on the other side)
That’s a cute idea – I’ll give it a try some time, thanks!
I love the milkmaid braids, so cute! Nice outfit, too; I’m sorry your skirt split, that sounds very inconvenient!
VERY inconvenient! Fixed now, but I’m a bit nervous!
I have a passion for milkmaid braids! Truly! I love them so much, though I have long hair and can make them meet over my huge head, I don’t wear them often. I feel like I need the volume of my hair to balance out my body. I’m so glad you found your braid happy place! 🙂
Lucky you! I love them, too – it’s my perfect hot day hairstyle!
Cute as!
Good work about the skirt!
Thanks Cilla! I just dusted off the sewing machine last night and replaced the zipper – hope this one’s a bit more sturdy!
Adorable hair- I get sick of my messy bun or ponytail- love this!
Eeeeeeek to NY visit! Oh the joy and happiness of NY- shopping eating exploring and just being there…and of course for you seeing the sophisticate too!
I’m missing him so much, I can’t wait to see him…. and New York of course! I’ve heard the food’s AMAZING, and I’m looking forward to checking out some of the shops!
Love it! Great pic and tutorial. Thanks.
Love the pearls too. May I ask where they are from?
Hey Chloe! They were a gift from my old housemate. They’re just little cheapies, but I love them!
Thanks for your response Lilli. They are really lovely and suit you to a T 🙂
Such a beautiful hairstyle on you! And you are hilariously awesome. Crud on the split zipper!
LOL, thanks Amber.
Ugh! Why didn’t it ever occur to me to start my braids up higher?! I’ve been sitting here, jealous of all of my friends and their cute braids. I just tried your not-so-obvious-to-Bethany method and now I get to dance around the house with milkmaid braids! Hooray!
I’m another one to whom it was not obvious, and I’ve always been baffled that my shorter-haired friends managed to do it so easily – you are not alone!
Phew! Good to know!
I know, right? It seems so obvious – I can’t believe it didn’t occur to me before.
Ha no wonder I can never get my braids to meet! Thanks for the tip. I’m totally trying this tomorrow 🙂
How’d you go? Success?
You are simply too adorable.
Love the squirrel T, and you rock those braids.
Sorry about your naughty skirt. Grrr, I hate it when my clothes betray me in public 😉
Me too! I’ve replaced the zip now, but I’m still nervous, lol. Thank goodness for emergency sewing kits!
Ah, so cute, I love your hair like this! I once got stuck in a pair of trousers on a train journey to London from Scotland. The zip got stuck and I was desperately needing the loo, but it wouldn’t budge! Once I eventually got to my destination, I had to carefully cut the zip out of the trousers. And pee. Obviously!
Oh no! LOL, why do zips fail at the most inconvenient times???
aww I love tour t-shirt!
xoxo
alice c’n’r
Thank you! I love squirrels – the cutest!
Thanks for sharing! My hair is a little bit longer than yours but I’ve been in such a style rut lately, I only ever wear it down. I definitely need to try this!!
New follower 🙂
Mackenzie
http://www.heybirdfriend.com
Thanks Mackenzie! I’ve been in a style rut, too! Pinterest is great for hairstyle tutorial, BTW – I’m getting a lot of inspiration from there
Try weaving a ribbon into your braids and you can tie the ends with a bow on top or wrap the ribbon ends to tie in the back.
Cute idea! I’ll have to give it a try, thanks!
I never thought of starting braids farther up! My hair’s about the same as yours.
I hadn’t either. I felt like such a ninny when I realised!
Awww, you look adorable as always, and hey! Better late than never!
LOL, yes – definitely!
Any chance of doing a meet-up while you’re in New York? 🙂
I’m going to be spending most my time there hanging with The Sophisticate (he’s taken some time off so we can go sightseeing) but keep me posted, I should have a couple of days where I’m flying solo.
You’re coming to NY – wheee!!!!!!!!!!! Let us know if you want tips for inbetweenie shopping. Even if you know the stores you want to visit we can point you to the best one to hit up.
Thanks Bloomie! All tips are good tips – I know I’m spending most of my first five days catching up with The Sophisticate, but after that I’ll be on my own!
I just tried this! Nowhere as tidy as yours but I’m going to wear it today and see how it goes! It’s cute even when messy- my hair is always messy! Curly fine hairs just like that..sigh…
So jealous of your curls, Shelly! We always want want we don’t have, LOL!