Every back to school, social media fills up with sophisticated buns, XXL braids and XXL blow-drys. But in the midst of this hair excitement, a much simpler hairstyle stood out on the fall-winter 2026-2027 fashion shows: a base close to the nape of the neck, hair pulled back and an almost invisible elastic band. A minimalist hairstyle that perfectly embodies the understated elegance of the season.
His name? There
low ponytailin other words the low ponytail. On September 9, 2026, French Vogue summed up his spirit thus: “There are hairstyles that seek to stand out, and those that do exactly the opposite. The low ponytail belongs to this second category.”
Minimalist and easy to achieve, the low ponytail focuses on effortless elegance. No need for spectacular volume or flashy accessories: a well-designed part, a few brush strokes and that’s it.
Low ponytail: do less, but better for back to school
The promise of the low ponytail is simple: bring all of the hair back to the nape of the neck to create a clean, almost graphic line. The lengths remain free, while the elastic can easily be hidden under a section of hair.
On mid-length or long hair, this hairstyle gives the impression of a slimmer silhouette. Above all, it goes with almost any outfit, from a structured blazer to a back-to-school trench.
Faced with very elaborate ballet buns and brushings inspired by the 1960s, the low ponytail therefore plays the sobriety card. It slips easily under a turtleneck or scarf, doesn’t get caught on earrings and can last all day with a small amount of gel or setting spray.
In other words: this is a particularly practical hairstyle for busy days.
On the 2026-2027 catwalks: Dior, Prada and Fendi relaunch the low ponytail
On the Christian Dior fall-winter 2026-2027 fashion show, the low ponytail appears in a soft version, with a well-defined side parting and a few fine strands left in front of the ears. A detail that softens the features and avoids the too strict effect of a perfectly flat ponytail.
Result: a very couture look, but easy enough to wear every day, with a round-neck sweater or a simple white shirt.
In its beauty pages, French Vogue also brings this ponytail, sometimes flat, sometimes slightly blurred, closer to the aesthetic developed by Phoebe Philo at Celine: a mixture of precision and nonchalance.
At Prada, hairstylist Guido Palau focuses more on a natural, almost improvised texture. Fendi, for its part, lets a few cleverly controlled rebellious locks appear. Enough to confirm the particularly versatile character of the low ponytail, already presented by Vogue US and Hair.com as one of the chameleon hairstyles of 2026.
How to adopt the low ponytail without a misstep?
For a sleek version, start by brushing the hair backwards. Then tame small frizzes with a small amount of smoothing gel or serum. Then tie the hair very low, as close as possible to the nape of the neck.
Do you prefer a more natural result? Simply leave one or two thin strands to frame the face, loosen the clip slightly and scrunch the lengths with a texturizing spray. The objective is to give movement without losing the neat appearance of the hairstyle.
Curly or very thick hair can also adopt the trend. In this case, it is better to keep the natural volume on the top of the head and opt for a textured low ponytail. Above all, avoid overtightening the clip to limit the risk of breakage. Fabric covered elastic or satin ribbon can also be a good option to preserve the fiber.
Conversely, be careful not to raise the ponytail excessively, choose an elastic that is too visible or let too many strands escape. Three details that can quickly make the low ponytail lose its chic and controlled effect.