The French Pleat

Timeless and classic, the French pleat is the perfect hairstyle for brides who adore elegant and graceful style. Tightly styled into a fold at the back of the head, this chic up-do should require minimal maintenance throughout the wedding day, meaning the bride can rest assured her bridal hairstyle will look fabulous from the moment she steps into her wedding gown to when she steps out of it. While an obvious favourite of brides who prefer to wear their hair up and away from the face, by opting for Bardot-esque height at the crown and loose tendrils around the face, brides concerned the French pleat is too structured or severe can achieve a softer, romantic feel.

Wedding Hair Accessories for the French Pleat

Typically, hair pins are the wedding hair accessory of choice for a French pleat. Used to secure and dress, pretty crystal or pearl hair pins scattered throughout or along the fold of the pleat emphasize its classic, understated style. However, with bold wedding hair accessories a key bridal trend for 2012, brides who adore vintage glamour shouldn't be afraid to put the hair pins aside and opt for a bold headpiece to dress their pleat.
Accentuate the hair style structure with striking adornment by placing a bejewelled hair comb in the fold, pin a crystal encrusted bridal headpiece at the side of the head to create contemporary asymmetric detailing or, embrace 1940s Hollywood glamour, with a statement side tiara set on a sparkling crystal band to reflect light and delicately shimmer with each movement. For the bride whose wedding day wouldn't be complete without a traditional tiara, inspiration can be taken from the infamous Holly Golightly (Breakfast at Tiffany's) by securing their wedding hair accessory towards the crown.

Three Top Tips for the Perfect French Pleat

• Ask your maid of honour to keep a can of trial or travel size hairspray in her bag so you can spritz any stray hairs into place
• Keep unsightly pins off the menu & ask your stylist to use Kirby grips in a similar shade to your hair colour
• Have fine hair? Ask your stylist about clipping in some hair pieces to give your French pleat height & body

Tags: bridal hairstyles, bridal up-do, french pleat