Looking for understated formal styles without sticks

[Handel'sWig]

I perform frequently in orchestra or other settings where I have to follow concert dress code. It’s fairly strict- everything has to be black, formal, and simple. As for the hair, I need to have it pulled out of my face otherwise it interferes with things. It has to be simple. Accessories that don’t match a black outfit or that act as dangerous weapons when you’re moving around in close quarters are pretty much a no; i.e. - none of my sticks work for this.

For now my go-tos are a cinnabun secured with pins, a simple half-up braid, or a French Twist with pins. But I’d like to find new styles. Also as my hair gets longer (I’m nearly at hip) I won’t be able to do the French Twist anymore. I’m tired of cinnabuns and I don’t always want to mess with a half up. I want to dress up my hair without it being over the top. I’m a bit at a loss.

Does anyone have any suggestions for formal hairstyles that are long hair friendly, fancy yet understated, and stick free?

[neko_kawaii]

Vortex Bun springs immediately to mind as fancy, understated, and stick free. Also, last months Style of the Month. Scan the Hairstyle Thesaurus for styles that don’t include sticks or other stickyouty things. I’m sure there are many others.

[Eastbound&Down]

I was thinking perhaps a French/Dutch braid, with the tail wrapped into a low bun. You could secure it with an elastic, ribbon, or pins.

[Cg]

I was thinking perhaps a French/Dutch braid, with the tail wrapped into a low bun. You could secure it with an elastic, ribbon, or pins.

I agree with the French braid. French braids look soft and elegant (whereas Dutch are more sporty and tighter to the scalp). Any bun you can secure with a stick you can secure with invisible pins, or with pearl u-pins or any of their dressy cousins.

[Handel'sWig]

Vortex Bun springs immediately to mind as fancy, understated, and stick free. Also, last months Style of the Month. Scan the Hairstyle Thesaurus for styles that don’t include sticks or other stickyouty things. I’m sure there are many others.

Hmmm, a vortex bun... that’s one bun I’ve never been able to figure out. For whatever reason it will never hold in my hair. I’ll try it again- maybe I have the length for it now.

I was thinking perhaps a French/Dutch braid, with the tail wrapped into a low bun. You could secure it with an elastic, ribbon, or pins.

Braid with ribbon... I love that idea! I should get some black velvety ribbon and tie a cute little bow or something. That’s an example of an accessory that would be very appropriate.

Any bun you can secure with a stick you can secure with invisible pins, or with pearl u-pins or any of their dressy cousins.

Is that true? I was under the impression that certain buns ( e.g. nautilus, disc, LWB) could only be held with a stick, or something like it. I haven’t tried holding my everyday nautilus- variation with pins. Maybe I just need to get a few U-pins because I’ve only ever used Bobby pins, which I love.

[Chromis]

A black Ficcare Maxima would work well for that too. Nautilus works well with them!

[Cg]

.... Is that true? I was under the impression that certain buns ( e.g. nautilus, disc, LWB) could only be held with a stick, or something like it. I haven’t tried holding my everyday nautilus- variation with pins. Maybe I just need to get a few U-pins because I’ve only ever used Bobby pins, which I love.

I can't imagine a bun that it wouldn't hold true for. I use pins only quite regularly. There used to be people on this forum, and perhaps still are, who never used anything except pins, no hairtoys ever.

[Wavelength]

A black Ficcare Maxima would work well for that too. Nautilus works well with them!

I second the Ficcare. Those things hold like a rock.

[neko_kawaii]

I can't imagine a bun that it wouldn't hold true for. I use pins only quite regularly. There used to be people on this forum, and perhaps still are, who never used anything except pins, no hairtoys ever.

Spidermom's Bum would be awkward to do with pins, but yes, most of them can be done quite handily with pins.

[MusicalSpoons]

Ooh a figure-8 bun and the related orchid bun would probably hold well with spin pins. I wanna say treble clef bun because it would be *so* apt but I'm not sure ... I guess a sturdy U-pin might hold the top bit? (Sadly I've not seen or dreamt up any other clef bun )

I don't know if a braided bun would be simple enough; it's fancy and something just slightly different.

A slim stick or fork matching your hair and the same length as your bun is wide could maybe work too, especially e.g. for twisted buns where you won't get parts of the hair slipping over the ends. I'm thinking something like a natural wood Ketylo or ... well actually I can't think of any particular forks. Just a thought though