Victoria Beckham Works this Season’s Plait du Jour in Bejing

As we stood squished in a smelly corner on the 94 bus somewhere around Shepherds Bush this morning, a quick peruse of Twitter revealed a much needed dose of glamour in the form of Victoria Beckham tweeting “Baggy braid in Beijing! X vb” accompanied by the picture of a gorgeous plait.  Isn’t it fabulous and so on trend too?

In fact, luxurious, luscious and satisfyingly swingy this seasons’ plait is speedily stepping into its role as summers’ ultimate accessory.  It all started at the spring/summer shows where the backstage teams at Kenzo, Ashish and Iceburg conjured up the most envy-inducing plaits that we’ve seen for some time. Delightfully voluminous, impossibly shiny and perfectly tousled, they had beauty editors racing for the nearest hairbrush.  Next there was a trip to must-see movie The Hunger Games were we girl-swooned over Jennifer Lawrences’ braid in her role as Katniss Everdeen.  As if we weren’t already sold, actress and model Astrid Bergès-Frisbey chose a jewel-entwined plait for her visit to Chanel’s Little Black Jacket Exhibition in Tokyo.  Paired with her Chanel Bombay Collection dress it was almost more than we could bear, in a very, very good way... Then today Victoria Beckham sealed the final deal!

Plaits at Ashish and Kenzo

“The secret to this season’s plait lies in achieving the perfect balance between disheveled (by keeping the braid loose, soft and slightly random) and luxurious, (by making sure hair is impeccably conditioned and glossy)” explains session stylist Adam Reed.

Don’t be afraid to get experimental with accessorizing your plait; soft lace, strips of coloured cord and beads can all add a certain je ne sais quoi. Just be sure to arm yourself with a Mason and Pearson’s brilliant Bristle Brush, £35.50 and Percy & Reed Finishing Polish, £5 - Warmed on fingers it will max that shine while styling.