Certain hairstyles have a bad rap. Ponytails? The gym. Buns? Secretaries. French twists? "Breakfast at Tiffany's." (Maybe that one isn't so bad, but you get the idea.) The newest incarnations of these looks, however, -- something stylists are calling "hybrid hairstyles" -- are anything but stereotypical (and surprisingly easy to do).

I know what you're thinking: "Hybrid hairstyles? This sounds complicated." But really, it's just a fancy term that hairstylists came up with to define looks that mix textures and shapes. They let you be both curly and straight or wear both a ponytail and a bun at the same time. They're also a great way to try elaborate styles on the back of your hair and keep the front more approachable and wearable, says Aussie Celebrity Stylist Sarah Potempa. And they're perfect for when you want to create a cool style on second (or third or fourth) day hair.

To help you mix up your routine, here are some of my favorite hybrid styles from the runway, as well as a few tips from Potempa on how to pull them off.

Check out my favorite hybrid hairstyle how-tos now.