ModernGear Women: The Braid-y Bunch

In the Games of Style, we're seeing a new move - the half-up, half-down, sometimes partial braid.

Of course there are those of us who have been alive long enough to know that this is not really new at all but a throwback to earlier hippy days, but like all trends that get pulled out of the closet and get dusted off, today's fashion lovers are making it their own.

What I like most about this new version is that it's being seen on the heads of women wearing all sorts of outfits - from jeans and tees...

Nicole Richie rocks the half-up, half-down partial braid.

to couture on the red carpet, in a wonderful hippy-meets-high-fashion mélange.

Minka Kelly looking positively nymph-like in a gorgeous gown at the Speed Racer premiere.

Also being seen a lot lately is the half-up, half-down with a twist...

Mandy Moore, Nicole Richie and one of the girls from The Hills (sorry, I don't watch it) - master the half-up, half-down, with a twist

...and the braid is making a guest appearance in other styles, too:

Lauren Conrad is a big fan of the braid...

Some trends (Uggs, short short skirts) we don't want to see any longer than we absolutely have to - hippy hair with braids, though, I'd like to stick around.