Team GB’s women stole the show this past fortnight, from dominance in the velodrome to unexpected medals in the trampoline and hammer.
We wouldn’t dream of upstaging their sporting achievements but it’s no mean feat to find a hairstyle that works for working out, and cyclist Laura Trott, long-jumper Jazmin Sawyers and half of the GB hockey team have nailed it with perfect plaits.
Gym hair is a trial-and-error process (and they’ve certainly had plenty of trials), but for mere mortals it’s usually a case of piling it up into a bun that inevitably falls down when it’s soaked in sweat, or pulling back tight only to wait for wisps to drift into your eyes while you’re in a downward dog.
Try Trott’s double French braids to stop your ponytail thwacking you in the face (and help avoid helmet hair), or a tight braid along the hairline to keep flyaways in check.
The rest of the world is in on the act too: check out Nafissatou Thiam, who beat Jessica Ennis-Hill to gold in the heptathlon, and Brianna Rollins, who led the USA’s medal sweep of the 100m hurdles.
Don’t worry if you were the kid at school whose parents couldn’t French plait so you ended up instead with a tangle full of kirby grips. The city’s braid bars have you sorted.
Hershesons (above) has a braid bar at Topshop Oxford Circus which offers eight braided styles that you can pick and mix to create a twisted work of art.
For a nod to velodrome style, you’ll want “Double Trouble” or “The Classic”, both of which work for riding an omnium and receiving your fourth gold medal. Or in our case, lasting through a gym session and still looking good for a wedding the next day.
