Are you planning your outfit for an upcoming wedding, party, or special work event? If so, you’ve probably spent a lot of time thinking about the best formal hairstyle to go for, which will effortlessly pair with your chosen outfit.
To help you decide, we asked our expert stylists to recommend ten elegant, formal hairstyles for medium-length hair to try this year, and this is what they came up with.
1: Blunt lob
Why we love it: The blunt lob will never go out of fashion, and it’s one of the go-to haircuts for formal occasions, perfect for weddings, parties, and practically any occasion.
The blunt lob is one of the best formal hairstyles for medium-length hair. It’s sleek and sophisticated, and its face-framing nature suits women of numerous shapes and sizes. The lob is a slightly longer version of the bob, with most women letting their hair run down just below the shoulder line, rather than cutting it short to the chin. As such, it’s a perfect starting point for any woman looking for a safe, formal haircut for medium-length hair.
2: The modern shag
Why we love it: The modern shag is a bold haircut that showcases the depth and volume of your hair. It’s super versatile, too, and can be worn in lots of different ways, making it a great choice for formal occasions.
The modern shag is much more relaxed than the original cut that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. Still, it’s a slightly daring option for women looking for a formal haircut, as it’s slightly unruly and less formulaic than some of the other options on this list. Still, we think the windswept, chilled vibes given off by the modern shag make it a brilliant choice for any formal occasion.
3: Shoulder-length waves
Why we love it: This cut with shoulder-length waves is an easy formal hairstyle for medium-length hair. The addition of sea salt spray can instantly lift the cut, offering stunning depth and texture with ease.
Loose, shoulder-length waves are a beautiful option for many formal events. This light haircut works well at shoulder length because it doesn’t have too much weight, meaning your hair sits naturally without looking heavy. Adding highlights to your waves is a great option, particularly if you’re attending a summer wedding at which you want to look the part.
4: Curly top knot
Why we love it: While some people are hesitant to wear their hair up to formal occasions, we think a curly top knot is effortlessly stylish and a great way to show off the natural shape of your curls.
A formal updo that works for practically any occasion, the curly top knot will turn heads for the right reasons. This curly formal hairstyle for medium-length hair is extremely easy to style, too, and can be accessorized with a headband and colorful scrunchie. We recommend leaving some of your curls to flow naturally from the band to frame your face.
5: Classy ballerina bun
Why we love it: The ballerina bun is a truly elegant hairstyle that elevates any look. Keep it tight and try slicking your hair back for the ultimate formal look.
Free hairstyles are as effortlessly chic and sophisticated as the classic ballerina bun. This is a brilliant option for women with slightly thicker and longer hair, with the bun at the back of your head coming together in a tight knot. Whether you’re planning a night at the theater or attending a friend’s wedding, the classy ballerina bun is one of our favorite formal hairstyles for medium-length hair.
6: Braided ponytail
Why we love it: This is an easy semi-formal hairstyle for medium-length hair. The protective braids are great for your natural hair and can be styled and accessorized in numerous ways.
We love how a braided ponytail can be a stunning formal and semi-formal option simultaneously. Also, after going to the effort of braiding your ponytail, you can style it in various ways, wearing it up or letting your hair extensions flow down your back. Gold jewelry contrasts beautifully with the braided pony and is a great way to elevate the look ahead of a special occasion.
7: Lob with curtain bangs
Why we love it: The lob with curtain bangs was one of the hottest looks of 2021, and it’s still trending today. We love the effortless way the curtain bangs frame the face, drawing attention to your best features.
The face-framing layers of curtain bangs, combined with the perfect length of the lob, make this an excellent formal hairstyle for medium-length hair down. The tasteful addition of highlights can work wonders, adding a sun-kissed look to your style, even in the depths of winter. We adore this look for weddings and think it’s a great look for bridesmaids and wedding guests alike.
8: Messy bun
Why we love it: The messy bun is an easy, tousled look that is perfect for weddings. It’s extremely easy to style and requires very little maintenance to stay in place throughout the day.
You might think that messy haircuts aren’t suited to formal occasions, but the messy bun is a brilliant formal hairstyle for wearing your hair up. The key to achieving a formal messy bun is the way you allow your hair to frame your face. Don’t pack your hair too tightly, and leave some strands to flow naturally down your face. This way, your messy bun will look perfect for any formal occasion.
9: Tousled curls
Why we love it: The best thing about tousled curls is just how effortlessly they appear. If you’re looking for formal down hairstyles for medium-length hair that give off “I woke up like this” vibes, tousled curls are for you.
One of the best things about the tousled curls hairstyle is that it’s effortless and timeless yet incredibly versatile. By this, we mean that it would capture the attention at a formal dinner as much as it would if you went to your best friend’s birthday party. This striking style is perfect for women with shoulder-length curls, with lots of styling variants available to crank things up.
10: Mid-length afro
Why we love it: The afro is a throwback style to funkier days, but it can also be a modern cut that looks glamorous at formal events. Use a wide-tooth comb to achieve the perfect coily afro.
While it might take some guts to try an afro for the first time, we assure you that when you take the plunge, you will settle on this as one of your go-to styles for formal occasions. In the example above, you can see how the addition of loopy earrings adds a dimension to the afro, and it can work well with so many dress styles for weddings, parties, and formal gatherings.
Formal hairstyles for short-to-medium-length hair styling tips
We spoke to our stylists and asked for some general styling tips you can think about before attending a formal event this year:
✔️ Accessorize: One of the easiest ways to elevate a medium-length hairstyle for formal events is to accessorize. A tiara, loopy earrings, or floral patterns (for weddings) can be all you need to rock a stunning haircut that will capture the attention of all the other guests.
✔️ Don’t deviate too much from your normal style: Sometimes, we can try too hard and go for something completely out of our comfort zone when attending a formal event. But sticking to something you know, with a slight twist, can be all you need to look your best. For instance, switching from your standard, messy lob to a blunt lob can be a great way to elevate your look ahead of the big event.
✔️ Limit heat-based styling: No matter the hairstyle you go for, limit your use of curling irons and heat-based straighteners where possible, as they dry your hair out and can cause frizz. We recommend using the adjustable heat of the Laifen Swift Special so you can dry your hair on the cool or medium heat setting for the best results.
Final words
You’re spoiled for choice regarding formal hairstyles for medium-length hair. Whether you love the blunt lob or the messy bun, you can ask your stylist to help you rock one of these iconic looks at your upcoming wedding, party, or special work event.
For further inspiration, follow our blog and check out other hairstyles that can work for your specific face type ahead of your formal do. You can also head to TikTok to discover some of the latest viral trends and hairdos that you can’t afford to ignore in 2024.
