Bun hairstyles for a chic, elegant and easy hair look

An easy updo to emulate, be inspire by A-list buns and topknots

Bun hairstyles are one of the most versatile around; wear them to work, to socialise or to formal events and you're guaranteed to look seriously chic, whatever your outfit of choice may be.

As well as telling the world that you mean business, bun hairstyles are great on a practical level for keeping your hair out of your face as well as showing off your make-up look.

And the best bit? They're one of the easiest hairstyles you'll ever learn how to style. Just finish with a spritz of your best hairspray and you're good to go.

Read on for the Marie Claire guide to the best bun hairstyles, plus the celebrities who nail the look on the red carpet every single time.

Messy bun hairstyles

Messy buns are those 'lived in' looking styles favoured by supermodels and film stars alike – think wispy, can't-be-bothered, perfectly placed and barely held together all at the same time.

The idea is to look like you've slept in your bun, without looking like you actually slept in it.

Watch our guide on how to do a messy bun to master the art of the ultimate 'I woke up like this' hairdo.

Bun hairstyles with braids

Becoming ever more popular are braided bun hairstyles, a more detailed version of your classic hair updos. Whether it's a braid that's been styled into a bun, or a braided crown or French braid with the rest of the hair knotted in plac, they're dominating red carpets everywhere right now.

Look out for stars like Millie Bobby Brown and Jessica Biel in our round up for examples of both simple and intricate bun hairstyles with braids.

Ready for all the bun hair inspiration you could ever need? Keep scrolling to see some of the greats from the red carpet.

Jourdan Dunn

Jourdan Dunn works a swept back low bun on the red carpet. There's something seriously effortless, while at the same time elegant, about this look. And if you've got the bone structure of a supermodel...

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Meghan has reinvigorated the messy bun's popularity by wearing the style to a number of public engagements over the last couple of years. – proving it's a classic, time and time again.

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen certainly knows how to pull off a classic bun/topknot on the red carpet.

Kaia Gerber

Model of the moment Kaia Gerber wears a classic, neat bun with a centre parting. The look is perfectly polished with statement earrings and a red lip.

Joan Smalls

Even better than the classic topknot is a topknot with detail - we love the height on Joan Smalls'.

Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner has already graced many a red carpet in her lifetime, with a topknot showing off her enviable facial features. (Those brows, though).

Jennifer Lawrence

We don't need to tell you that J-Law has exceptional hair game. Her short hair makes for a super dainty looking, neat knot.

Millie Bobby Brown

Stranger Things Millie Bobby Brown wowed the world when she stepped out with a seriously pretty bun with braids at the Golden Globes. Goals!

Olivia Palermo

A fashion week regular, Olivia Palermo often chooses a bun to draw the attention to her game-changing make-up looks.

Bella Hadid

Bella Hadid perfectly demonstrates how to work a power bun with wispy front detail.