I don't know about you, but I'll fully admit I hung onto the top knot trend for so long because it was the quickest, chicest updo out there. But there's another not-so-secret way to get a polished style without actually trying (like, at all): Wear a headband. The trick is that it has to be a really fancy headband (think metallic or rhinestones). Then simply create a textured twist in the back and it will seem like a purposefully messy style.
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The loop
OK, so this is kind of cheating, but we're still going to count it as a 2013 hairstyle trend. If you're still not ready to give up the top knot style, try this: Instead of creating a knot at the top, do a neat loop. Be sure to wrap a small section of hair around the base to give the look a polished effect.
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The pony
Of course we had to include the ponytail in this top knot replacement roundup. It is the golden standard when it comes to easy updos, the only one-step style that can be worn at the gym or to a black tie wedding. To make it appropriate for the fancier side of that scale, keep strands silky smooth and add volume in the front with a just a touch of teasing and a light mist of hairspray.
For the last two years, my go-to updo has been the topknot. I'd always been partial to the high bun, so it seemed like a natural transition when the tight twist became the chicest hairstyle since the chignon.
Then, 2013 hit and celebrities were officially over the trend. In fact, the only star to wear a topknot during this year's award season was Jennifer Lopez at the Grammy's. Needless to say, after three months of lots of loose waves and low buns, I received the message loud and clear: It was time to retire my own topknot.
But what to wear instead? The genius of the topknot is that it's as simple as a ponytail yet it has a certain sophisticated, polished look. True, a French twist is always classy -- but it also takes too much time to create. So, I scoured red carpet pics from recent Hollywood events and discovered how celebrities are dealing with the end of the topknot. Naturally, I found countless easy hairstyle ideas that'll keep you on-trend. Keep clicking to see my top six favorite replacements for the topknot.
