BrandAlley

When you’re sprinting around a race track, cycling your way to gold/silver or even swinging on the asymmetric bars to bronze, the last thing you want is hair in your face. Plus, being seen by millions of people around the world, we’re sure these athletes wanted to look their best and so made the most of the gorgeous hairstyles that have been big for SS12 and which they deemed fit for exercise.

Plaits have featured heavily over the Olympics with everyone from Danni King, Laura Trott and Sanya Richards-Ross working the look. But this versatile style has been manipulated into a range of gorgeous varieties that has meant this year’s Olympics has been arguably one of the most stylish (well that on top of Stella McCartney’s Team GB kit, neon trainers and flag inspired nails from Sophy Robson!).

Leading the way for braids and plaits were the cyclists. Under the aero-dynamic helmets, Laura Trott and Danni King kept their do in place with perfect plaits. Whilst Laura went for the cute pigtail plait, Danni opted for the pony-plait. She wasn’t the only one on Team GB to sport the look; Shauna Mullin from the volleyball team also went for the pony-plait whilst her team-mates opted for a range of other styles. Australian rower, Kim Crow went for the same style but accessorised with a yellow bow to tie in with her Olympic outfit. This is a great hairstyle for anyone with medium to long hair and if you want to keep it up-to-date, try adding accessories like Kim. With AW heading for glitz and glam, why not add some sparkle with a bejewelled band?

Sanya Richards-Ross raced her way to gold looking utterly gorgeous with long wavy double toned locks. It’s rare to see athletes with such long hair wearing it down at the Olympics but we thought she looked stunning. The angelic ring of braiding around her head ensured the flyaways were kept at bay so she could run without distraction. When she took to the podium, it was like she was on a film shoot, she looked sensational.

Top knots were also hugely popular this year, both on the catwalk and at the Olympics. Hockey players looked stylish and functional with their hair piled on top of their head in the chicest way to wear your hair this year.

But the humble ponytail reigned supreme. This SS, the easy pony got a sophisticated update but the athletes kept theirs simple. This simplicity has meant that this hairtstyle has been the top choice at this year’s Olympics.

As for the Gabby Douglas hair debate, we think she looked fantastic and gave a phenomenal performance. When  you’ve got that much hair, show it off and be proud – the beehive is very flattering and one of our favourite looks so get the height Gabby has with a bit of backcombing of the crown and some hairspray.