20 Simple Side Part Braids to Rock in 2027

A side part braid is a low-lift solution that balances polish with practicality, working with straight, wavy, or curly textures. Soft face-framing layers and lived-in color keep the look current, while the side part itself adds volume where fine hair often needs it most.

This collection of 20 Simple Side Part Braids spans quick DIY styles to salon-level cornrows, built for fine or thick hair, any length from collarbone to waist, and lifestyles that demand a style that holds. The variety means you can find one that solves a specific problem: a fringe that won’t cooperate, a visible grow-out line, or a braid that falls flat by midday.

Long Thin Braids With Deep Side Part

A deep side part and a grid of uniformly thin braids turn thick, straight black hair into a study in precision. The lines are clean, the part is deliberate, and the full mid-back length makes the repetition of the braids feel intentional rather than busy. Thick, straight hair at least mid-back long is ideal; the density is what keeps each braid distinct instead of disappearing into the mass. Ask your stylist for long, thin braids to mid-back with a deep side part. A light serum patted down the length controls flyaways and adds a low shine that makes the parting lines look crisp.

The sleekness of the finish keeps the eye traveling straight down the braids, and the side view shows the depth of the part clearly. Because there are no bangs or loose strands, the look stays clean. Trimming the ends every ten to twelve weeks prevents the braids from looking frayed at the tips.

Geometric Pattern Cornrow Braids

Standard cornrows follow the curve of the head. These do not. The parting is mapped into sharp angles and straight lines on the scalp, creating a geometric pattern that sits above the braids themselves. The deep side part anchors the design, and the mid-back length of the black, straight hair lets the pattern read clearly from a top-down view. Thick hair is the starting point here; the density allows the partings to stay crisp and the braids to hold their shape without gaps.

Ask your stylist for geometric cornrow braids with a deep side part to mid-back. The precision of the pattern means every parting line must be mapped before the first braid starts. This is a salon-only style, and the scalp needs regular moisture to keep the lines from looking dry. A clean, moisturized scalp keeps the geometric effect sharp for the full four to six weeks between retouches.

Cornrow Braids With Gold Accents

Black cornrows gain a metallic thread when gold is woven into the base of select braids. The contrast is immediate: the deep side part exposes the scalp in a clean line, and the gold stands out against the matte black hair. Mid-back length gives enough room for the pattern to develop, and the thick, straight texture keeps each cornrow flat and even. Ask your stylist for cornrow braids with gold accents and a deep side part. The gold threads are woven in during the braiding, so the placement is permanent until the style is taken down. Handle the threaded sections gently when washing to avoid snagging, and schedule a retouch every four to six weeks as new growth softens the part.

Uniform Box Braids With Side Part

Box braids get their name from the square sections at the root, and when those sections are identical in size, the result is a dense, uniform surface that reads as one solid texture. The side part here breaks up the symmetry just enough to add movement, and the light brown color softens what could otherwise feel severe on straight, thick hair. Mid-back length gives the braids weight, so they hang rather than float. Ask your stylist for uniform box braids with a side part. This is a straightforward request for a full head of braids, and the uniformity is what makes it work. A braid balm applied to the roots and ends every few days keeps the edges from frizzing. Trim the ends every eight to twelve weeks to maintain a clean finish.

Accent Braids With Side-Swept Bangs

Two small braids do not a full head make, and that is the point. One braid sits at the temple, sweeping across the forehead as a side-swept bang, and a second, longer braid falls into the black, straight hair. The rest stays loose, so the effect is a detail, not a full style. This works on thick, straight hair of mid-back length or longer; the contrast between the braided section and the free hair is what gives it weight. Ask your stylist for small accent braids with side-swept bangs and loose hair. The bangs braid should start at the side part and cross the forehead, not hang straight down. A touch of hairspray on the braids keeps them from unraveling, and the loose hair can be worn as is or given a slight bend with a curling iron. This one is DIY-friendly.

Chunky Side Braid With Loose Strands

A chunky side braid built from thick, wavy hair and blonde highlights has a romantic feel, but it also works well for collarbone length strands. The loose pieces left out around the face keep it from looking like a school-day plait, and they soften angular jawlines. Ask your stylist for: chunky side braid with face-framing loose strands. Pull a few strands free before securing the end, then let them air dry for a deliberately undone finish. This style leans salon-level to get the braid to sit just right, but the hold lasts through a full evening out.

Simple Chunky Side Braid

The simple chunky braid is the rare style that looks like it took effort when it actually took about ten minutes. Thick, wavy blonde hair with balayage coloring gives the plait natural dimension, so you don’t need perfect tension or a mirror check every three seconds. Ask your stylist for: chunky side braid with balayage highlights. A texturizing spray on dry hair before you start adds grip and keeps the braid from slipping loose by evening. This is a DIY win for mid-back length or longer, and it holds through a full workday or a weekend errand run. Salon time is minimal, mostly the balayage upkeep every ten to twelve weeks.

Collarbone Side Braid With Waves

Set this against a simple side braid and the difference is the waves: dark blonde hair with highlights, styled into loose waves that fall to the collarbone, with a braid tucked in for texture. It suits thick, wavy hair of collarbone length or longer, and it adds interest to a length that can otherwise feel plain. Ask your stylist for: collarbone length side braid with loose waves. The braid needs to sit snug against the head, as on shorter hair it can look disconnected. The waves hold their shape with product, but the braid itself may require a touch-up if you are planning to wear it all day.

Shoulder Length Box Braids With Beads

Small golden beads woven into a few of the box braids turn a standard protective style into something with a bit of personality. These shoulder length box braids are parted to one side, with the black, wavy strands falling to the collarbone and smaller braids framing the face. Ask your stylist for: shoulder length box braids with beads, side part. The beads are the decorative detail, so they need to be secured well, otherwise you’ll be hunting for one on the floor by Tuesday. This is a salon style that takes hours to install, and the beads mean you’ll want to keep them dry and check them regularly. The braids themselves hold for weeks with proper scalp care and a trim of the ends every eight to twelve weeks.

Voluminous Side Braid With Soft Fringe

Can fine, straight hair pull off a voluminous side braid? Yes, if you tease a little and let the braid do the work. The dark brown, mid-back length hair is parted to the side, with a soft, sweeping fringe that softens the face, while the braid itself is thick and textured. Ask your stylist for: voluminous side braid with a soft sweeping fringe. The trick is to tease the roots slightly before braiding to lift the hair off the scalp, then use a texturizing spray for grip. This style suits fine hair because the braid creates the illusion of density without needing actual thickness. It’s DIY-friendly, though a salon can set the fringe and the part so they stay put through the day.

Voluminous Dutch Braid With Highlights

The Dutch braid is built by crossing sections under the center strand, which lifts the weave off the scalp and creates a rounded, almost 3D silhouette. Here, thick wavy brown hair with blonde highlights is braided from a side part down to mid-back, and the contrast between the dark base and lighter pieces makes every twist visible. Thick, wavy hair at mid-back length or longer gives this technique the weight it needs to hold its shape.

Ask your stylist for: voluminous Dutch braid with blonde highlights. The finished braid is pulled apart gently at each section to soften the edges and add width. That step is the difference between a neat braid and a full one, and it takes about five minutes. The highlight placement creates contrast along the raised curves.

Dutch Side Braid With Side-Swept Bangs

The side-swept bangs are the part of this style that needs attention as the day goes on. The Dutch side braid itself, built from thick wavy ash blonde hair with highlights, holds well from a side part down to mid-back, but those bangs tend to drift toward center if they are not set. Ask your stylist for: Dutch side braid with side-swept bangs. A quick pass with a flat iron and a light-hold hairspray keeps them where they belong.

Dark Brown Dutch Braid

The Dutch braid is one of the easier braided styles to do on yourself because the underhand motion is consistent once you find the rhythm. This version uses thick, wavy dark brown hair from a side part down to mid-back, and the single color means you can focus on tension rather than worrying about highlight placement. Ask your stylist for: dark brown Dutch braid to mid-back. At home, a texturizing spray before you start gives the sections grip, and the braid stays intact for a full day without much fuss.

The salon versus DIY question matters less here than with other braids. A stylist can make the weave tighter and more even, but this one is genuinely achievable in your own bathroom mirror after a couple of tries. The trade-off: a salon version will look polished for longer, while a DIY version tends to soften and loosen by evening, which some people prefer.

Large Dutch Braid With Middle Part

A middle part Dutch braid demands even tension on both sides from the start, which is where most attempts go wrong. Here, thick wavy dark blonde hair with lighter highlights is braided into a large, prominent weave that runs down the center back to mid-back. The middle part elongates a round face, but it also means any unevenness in the braid is immediately visible. Ask your stylist for: large Dutch braid with a middle part.

The honest drawback is that this style can feel heavy after a few hours, especially on thicker hair. The weight of the braid pulls at the scalp, and the middle part does not allow the same easy redistribution as a side part. It is a look that works best for the first half of a day or an evening where you will be sitting more than moving.

Waterfall Braid With Loose Waves

The waterfall braid works by dropping sections of hair out of the weave as it crosses the back of the head, which creates a cascading effect through the rest of the hair. Here, medium-density wavy blonde hair with balayage highlights is styled from a middle part, with the braid running into loose waves that reach mid-back. The balayage pieces catch light differently along the dropped strands, adding dimension without extra effort. Ask your stylist for: waterfall braid with loose waves. This style suits medium-density hair best; very thick hair can make the dropped sections look bulky, while very fine hair may not show the braid detail clearly.

Side French Braid With Curtain Bangs

A side French braid with curtain bangs keeps the braid neat and the face soft. The wavy, thick hair falls to mid-back, with lighter highlights running through the blonde base. This works for wavy or straight hair of similar length; the curtain bangs ease the line for round and square faces. Ask your stylist for: side French braid with curtain bangs. Texturizing spray on the waves helps the braid hold through the day.

Bangs need a trim every four to six weeks to stay at the right length. The braid itself holds well for about two days before you re-braid. A finishing spray keeps the bangs smooth and the flyaways down.

Half Up French Braid From Side Part

A half-up French braid from a side part is the one that looks salon-finished but takes about ten minutes. The wavy, medium-density hair sits at shoulder length, with blonde highlights adding depth to the braid. No bangs means the braid has a clean line from the part. This is a DIY style: section the top, braid from the part toward the back, and pin the end behind the ear. A few bobby pins hold it securely for a full workday or a long brunch.

Crown Braid With Loose Waves, Shoulder

A crown braid with loose waves crosses the head from a side part and lands at the shoulder. The thick, wavy blonde hair gives the braid enough body to sit visibly on top without slipping. Loose waves below the braid keep the look from feeling too tight. A texturizing spray on the waves adds grip for the braid and keeps the wavy sections from falling flat. The braid holds through an evening event; re-pin the ends if they shift.

Simple Side Braid With Subtle Highlights

A simple side braid is straightforward, which is both its strength and its limit. The straight, medium-density light brown hair falls to mid-back with subtle highlights that catch light in the braid. No bangs means the part stays clean. The drawback: this style does not add volume or drama. If your hair is fine or you want a fuller silhouette, a chunky braid or added texture works better. For everyday polish, it takes five minutes and holds all day with a light-hold hairspray.

Ask your stylist for: simple side braid with subtle highlights. The braid sits neatly over one shoulder and stays put without constant adjustment.

Beaded Box Braids With Middle Part

Beaded box braids with a middle part combine two colors and small metal beads at the ends. The black and blonde sections alternate, creating contrast that runs the full length to mid-back. The middle part splits the braids evenly, which suits oval and long face shapes. Ask your stylist for: beaded box braids with a middle part. The beads add weight at the ends, so the braids hang straight instead of flipping out. A salon install takes three to four hours; the style holds for six to eight weeks with regular scalp care and edge control.

Final Thoughts

For fine hair, smaller accent braids or beaded details add visual weight without pulling too tight. Thick hair can handle chunkier braids and more elaborate patterns, so lean into the volume. Match the braid to your texture and your schedule, and you will not be fighting it by lunch.

• Moisturize your scalp daily for box braids.
• Sleep in a silk bonnet for cornrows.
• Refresh loose braids weekly with texturizing spray.
• Use purple shampoo weekly for blonde highlights.
• Always apply heat protectant before styling.

A well-placed braid can transform your entire look.