21 Cool Hairstyles for Every Single Life Occasion

Let me just preface by saying that I'm not a beauty editor, and I'm terrible at styling my hair. I'm a fashion editor with an acute appreciation for cool hairstyles that I probably wouldn't be able to execute myself. But that doesn't mean that you can't! As with clothing and accessories, different occasions in life call for different hairstyles, and I've been stalking Instagram for chic styles that I can at least admire from afar, if not attempt myself. Along the way, I found a lot of cool-girl hair inspiration that would be chic options for everything from dates to weddings to work. As it turns out, fashion girls have great taste in hairstyles (hardly shocking, I know).

Ready to see the best cool-girl hairstyles for a number of occasions you're likely to find yourself needing a look for? Keep scrolling for some of my current favorites and to shop products and accessories to re-create them yourself.

Work

It's probably best to save the beachy waves for the weekend and go with a bit of a more sophisticated style for office days. Think a slicked-back low bun. 

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Dates

You can never go wrong with wearing your hair down with loose waves for a date. The best part is that this looks effortless and actually is pretty effortless in execution. 

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Weddings

Your wedding hairstyle needn't be a prom-worthy updo. You want to look like yourself, but it's a great opportunity to do something special, like braid it down or get a sleek blowout for your lob.

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Your Birthday Party

The is the perfect opportunity to have fun with your style and try something new and/or bust out the most extra hair accessories you own.

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Family Gatherings

For family gatherings, something polished that still shows your personality (like a low ponytail that still shows off your curls) is a safe bet.

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Workouts

For workouts, opt for pretty braids and slicked-back high ponytails, both of which will effectively keep your hair out of the way.

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Music Festivals

Pretty much anything goes when it comes to music festivals, and the more fun you have your style the better. Bonus points for hair accessories and bucket hats.

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Get the look:

Get the look:

Get the look:

Get the look:

Get the look:

Get the look:

Get the look:

Next up, the most sought-after hair products you can buy at Sephora right now.

Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.