According to New York Fashion Week, Low Ponytails and Loose Buns Are Replacing the Slick Back Bun for Fall 2026
Our take
The reign of the slicked-back bun, a hairstyle that dominated the fashion landscape for several years, appears to be gently receding. According to recent reports from New York Fashion Week, a softer, more effortless aesthetic is taking hold, with low ponytails and loose buns poised to replace the tightly wound updo for Fall 2026. This isn’t simply a shift in hairstyle; it reflects a broader cultural movement away from hyper-polished perfection and towards a more relaxed, lived-in beauty. We’ve seen this sentiment echoed in other areas of style, as evidenced by the burgeoning trend of statement skirts showcased in NYFW street style [NYFW Street Style Has Spoken: It's Statement Skirt Season], signaling a move away from minimalist silhouettes and embracing bolder, more expressive choices. And it aligns with a growing interest in wellness and self-care routines, like the ones Mariska Hargitay utilizes to prepare for big events [Mariska Hargitay’s 2026 Emmys Prep Started With a $12 Moisturizer, a Jacuzzi Session, and Infrared Sauna], emphasizing inner radiance over purely external presentation.
The rise of the low ponytail and loose bun speaks volumes about the current mood. The slicked-back bun, while undeniably chic, carried an inherent air of rigidity and effort. It required precision, product, and a willingness to sacrifice comfort for a flawless finish. The emerging trend, in contrast, embraces a sense of nonchalance and ease. It suggests a confidence that doesn’t need to be manufactured, a beauty that emerges naturally rather than being painstakingly constructed. This shift also mirrors the broader beauty trends emerging from New York Fashion Week, where low ponys were already gaining traction alongside lip gloss lids and almond nails [The Top 6 Beauty Trends at New York Fashion Week S/S '27 Are All About Lip Gloss Lids, Low Ponys, and Almond Nails]. It's a move towards versatility and adaptability, hairstyles that can transition seamlessly from day to night, from a casual weekend to a more formal occasion.
The underlying psychology here is compelling. After years of striving for an unattainable standard of perfection, there’s a palpable desire for authenticity and self-acceptance. The undone hairstyle becomes a visual representation of this shift, a rejection of the pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty ideals. It’s a subtle but powerful statement about prioritizing comfort, individuality, and a sense of ease. This isn’t about abandoning style altogether; rather, it’s about redefining what style means. It’s about finding beauty in imperfection, embracing natural textures, and celebrating the unique qualities that make each individual beautiful. The shift to softer, looser hairstyles is a visual manifestation of a broader cultural recalibration, a move towards prioritizing well-being and self-expression over manufactured appearances.
Looking ahead, it's intriguing to consider how this shift in hair trends will influence other areas of beauty and fashion. Will we see a corresponding move towards more natural makeup looks, less structured clothing, and a general embrace of a more relaxed aesthetic? Or will this be a fleeting moment, a temporary rebellion against the polished perfection that has dominated the scene for so long? One thing is certain: the hair we choose to wear is always a reflection of the times, and the rise of the low ponytail and loose bun suggests a desire for a beauty that is both effortless and deeply meaningful. It’s a question of how long this embrace of imperfection will last, and whether it signals a permanent shift in our collective beauty ideals.
For the past few years, the slick back bun has been the staple updo of basically every stylish woman on the planet. If you had enough length to slip your locks into a snatched bun, effectively delivering a temporary face lift (and likely a headache as well), then you—plus a pound of gel and an army of flyaway wands—did it. You could wear a slick back to anything from the office to a wedding, and no one would blink twice. Such is the power of an exceptionally sleek updo with zero frizz in sight.
But according to the New York Fashion Week runways, many a street style star, and numerous Hollywood A-listers on the 2026 Emmys red carpet, the ubiquitous bun is facing some competition, in the form of disheveled low ponys and messy, loose updos. Is this a sign that the era of the slicked-back bun is over? Perhaps. I know that I will still turn to a sleek and taut style when I need an elevated hair option for an evening event, but for my everyday life, I'm kinda sorta opening myself up to a less severe look for the fall.
Ahead, three low-maintenance, high-style hair looks I spotted all over fashion week to try out this season, especially if you're hoping to give your hair and scalp a break.
Low, Loose Pony
Once relegated to third, fourth, or even fifth day hair, ponytails have officially stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight over the last few years. From Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders to the Hollywood elite, it appears that everyone has embraced a snatched, bouncy pony for a statement-making look. But for the fall 2026 season, and into S/S '27, designers, starlets, and the street style crowd have discovered a taste for a far less glamorous—almost humble—style: the low ponytail.
Yes, the idea of tying back your hair in a rush, with a handful of face-framing pieces and the rest nearly tumbling out of whatever closure you had on hand was once best left to the Olsen twins—at least if you wanted to capture any semblance of style. But after combing through pages and pages of street style photos and fashion show wrap-ups, it's clear that the low pony has gained some serious footing in the sartorial realm. I mean, even Grace Gummer, bonafide Hollywood royalty, eschewed the typical red carpet blowout in favor of a barely-there ponytail for the 2026 Emmys.
Disheveled Bun
If you still love a bun hairstyle, I don't blame you. Some days you just need your hair off your neck and not falling all over your shoulders. But if a super tight slick-back gives you a migraine just thinking about it, you're in luck because this season's most stylish bun trend is all about a slightly disheveled look. No need to turn to a wax stick to shellac down those baby hairs—let them fly free for a pretty, Renaissance-style effect.
I'm particularly into the side bun situation at Diotima S/S '27, which saw models with all different hair textures walking the runway with plentiful flyaways escaping their artful updos. I'm considering adding this style to my day three hair inspiration board when I simply can't be bothered to slick back my hair for hours. Bonus points if an accessory is thrown in there, like this chic silk scarf moment I spotted between New York Fashion Week shows. Nothing like a bit of an unexpected accent to accompany your messy bun.
Relaxed Half-Up, Half-Down
A favorite hairstyle of the Biebers and Jenners of the world, the half-up, half-down saw plenty of airtime during NYFW, with many a street style star wearing the look for the New York shows. Like the low, loose ponytail, the hair wasn't gathered with a ton of tension or frizz-eliminating products; rather, the effect felt effortless and devil-may-care in a super refreshing way.
Whether you're sporting braids, waves, curls, or otherwise, letting your natural texture shine is the move for the upcoming season, and honestly, it helps keep the half-up, half-down style from feeling too youthful or grade school-coded. If you need a bit of extra zhuzh to your hair, especially if it's thin or fine, reach for a sea salt spray or texturizer before sectioning it into the top and bottom.
So while I'd wager a guess that a slick back bun will always remain a mainstay in the hairstyling repertoire, I am encouraged to try out some different options for the foreseeable future, especially since I'm desperately trying to minimize hair loss at the moment (the tension of a slick back can lead to traction alopecia!). And honestly, anything that allows me to embrace frizz and flyaways but still feel like the hottest version of myself is just fine by me.
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