Elegant hairstyles for special occasions like weddings or proms make you look your best. Elegant hairstyles are mostly updos but long hair can be worn down to look sophisticated as well if styled properly. Popular elegant hairstyles include chignons, French braids, French twists, half-updos, long loose waves and sleek, straight hair.

Elegant hairstyles look even more special when embellished by jeweled ornaments or flowers. Chignons are created by gathering your hair at the back of the head in a pony tail or braid and then coiling the tail into roll with pins. Messier versions of chignons are very popular with tendrils of hair hanging around the face.

French braids are created by taking pieces of hair from the sides of the head and adding them to the braid as you go along. They are one of the most romantic-looking of the elegant hairstyles. French twists are beautiful rolls of hair that create an elegant, sleek appearance and they are especially popular for weddings.

Half updos are very fashionable at the moment because they look elegant and carefree. Long hair that's left down can appear elegant too for special occasions. The two best-known versions of this look are long, loose curls and sleek, pin-straight hair.