When it comes to dressing up for your formal event, every detail of your overall attire matters – from the top of your head to your toes. Each part of your attire must let your personality shine through, complement your style, and bring your femininity to the fore. 

You may choose the perfect dress, shoes, and accessories. But if your hairstyle fails to be on point, your attire ends up looking flat. 

In this mini formal hairstyle guidebook, we have outlined the best ways to align your stunning formal gown with an equally stunning hairstyle. The type of hairstyle you pick is directly associated with your gown’s neckline and length. Read on to understand which hairstyle will complement your formal gown.  

The Three Golden Rules 

When it’s time to decide on the hairstyle you want to sync with your dress, here are three factors to consider:

• The neckline. Your gown’s neckline is directly linked with the type of hairstyle you choose. For instance, if your neckline shows off a lot of skin, you don’t want to leave your hair down. Instead, you can go for a stunning updo or a half-up-half-down look. Remember, your hairstyle must flatter your neckline instead of hiding it. Generally speaking, elaborate necklines look more flattering with hairstyles that are pulled away from the face. Simple necklines like sweetheart or strapless designs, for example, align with a variety of hairstyles based on other factors including your mood and your dress length.
• The length of your gown. The length of your gown is another element that directly influences your hairstyle. Longer lengths, for example, often go hand in hand with more modest or traditional styles. Shorter-length dresses, on the other hand, often leave more room for experimentation.
• Your mood. Let your moods play a role in deciding your hairstyle. After all, you’re the one wearing the dress and you must feel your best self with your overall attire. Go for colorful braids or clips if you’re feeling whimsical. If you want your attire to emanate a sweet and sober look, a cascading ponytail with curls would be a fantastic choice! 

Aside from these factors, it’s also important to take your hair length and hair texture into consideration. Ask yourself: which hairstyles will the texture of my hair support? Is my hair length too short or too long for a specific hairdo? After all, what looks great on a model might not be the perfect choice for you. Finally, make sure you try the hairstyle out before the long-awaited event finally reaches the shore.

Hairstyles to Compliment Your Formal Gown 

From gorgeous braided updos to sleek and sophisticated pixie styles – here are the best hairstyles to complement your formal gown:

Strapless Gown 

A strapless formal gown demands a generous show-off of your shoulders. A side-swept updo aligns seamlessly with this dress to create a sophisticated look. 

Other hairstyles that complement a strapless gown include a half up and half down, with your hair pulled to the back. These hairstyles not only soften your shoulders, but they also highlight the strapless style of your gown. 

V-Neck

Most varieties of V-neck dresses are designed to show off the skin and the cleavage. If the neckline of your gown is deep and demands showing off, you can choose an updo to prevent your hair from interfering with it. 

Half-up and half-down hairstyles also sync gorgeously with these gowns. Both these hairstyles pull the hair away from your face, highlighting your feminine style with gorgeous loose locks cascading behind you. 

Backless Gowns

Backless gowns often come with a variety of necklines in the front. Most gowns usually come with decorative and intricate stitching in the back that you want to flaunt. Don’t hesitate to consider a chignon, wavy side swept braid, or a crown braid to complement your bold attire. 

Round or Square Dresses

A stylish square or round neckline is a great option if you want to flaunt a soft, flattering style. These dresses typically come with a variety of sleeve designs like long/short sleeves or cap sleeves. The best hairstyles for these gowns would be the free-flowing ones. These styles can incorporate twists, braids, or clips. 

High Necklines 

A high neckline will envelop the base of your neck. These styles include certain types of halter necks and turtlenecks. To bring out the best of these styles, you can go with hairstyles that offer neckline visibility like a slicked chignon or a sophisticated topknot. 

For the best outcome, you can either place your topknot up high for an elegant look or pull up a tight ponytail in the middle of your head. If your hair is chin length, simply wear it down and deploy some skilled blow drying for the additional bounce. 

Asymmetrical Necklines 

It can be quite tricky to find the perfect hairstyle for an asymmetrical neckline. From a sleek strap with embellishments to extravagant ruffles – one strap around the shoulder area can be of any style or length. For this gown, you can go with hair artistry that doesn’t end up covering the asymmetrical neckline. For instance, a relaxed, swept wavy hairdo or a swept French twist can work wonders with this neckline. 

You can style your hair off your collar or go with a free-flowing hairdo that wouldn’t hide the gorgeousness of your face. If you’re looking for an exotic look, don’t hesitate to incorporate free-flowing curls around your shoulders. Have short hair? Go with a pixie look!

To get the pixie look of your dreams, simply apply some gel on your hair and let the blow-dry with a hairbrush do its magic. Remember to comb your hair in just one direction while drying. Once your hair is dry, use the styling wax to put your side tresses onto the back and the bangs onto the side. Finally, twirl the bangs in random spots across your forehead for a stylish look. 

Over to You! 

So, you’ve grasped the basic rules of aligning your hairstyle with your formal gown. But have you had the chance to select your dress yet? No? Then why waste even a milli-second when you can simply hop onto NewYorkDress’s designer dress inventory to choose the best attire for just about any occasion? Here, you’ll find the best pieces from global fashion houses to not only flatter your gorgeous figure but also transform you into a fashion diva at your next event.