20 Easy-to-Copy Chignon Hairstyles the Chicest Fashion Girls Wear on Repeat

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670885445993-main

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you’re anything like me, you are always looking for ways to cut down your time getting ready in the morning without sacrificing style. Beyond makeup, my hair is usually what takes me the longest to do. It’s for that very reason that I like to keep a great rotation of easy-to-copy hairstyles in my repertoire (think ponytail hairstyles and bun hairstyles like these messy bun ideas). One of my main go-tos in particular is the forever chic chignon.

Not only does the updo hairstyle look and feel effortless, but also it’s pretty much appropriate for any occasion. I wear a low slicked-back bun hair look to work out, to lunch with friends, to school dropoff and pickup, and was even this close to wearing one to my wedding. In essence, when it comes to no-fuss hair, my motto is a chic chignon can do no wrong.

I know I am not alone in this, as evidenced by the runways, red carpets, and my Instagram feed. Keep scrolling to see 20 easy chignon hairstyles from the most stylish of celebrities and influencers (even a princess!), but first I breakdown the true difference between a chignon and a bun.

What Is a Chignon?

When it comes to updo hairstyles, we’ve all heard the words bun and chignon used interchangeably, but is there truly a difference? In short, yes. Traditionally, a chignon is considered a single low bun that sits where your head meets your neck. In fact, the word chignon originates from the French phrase chignon du cou, which roughly translates to nape of the neck. A bun, on the other hand, can be placed anywhere on your head. Plus, you aren’t limited to having just one.

Chignon Inspiration

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878871978-main

Caroline Daur
(Image credit: @carodaur)

Caroline Daur completes her elevated sweaterdress look with an effortless low bun.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878875080-main

Claire Most
(Image credit: @claire_most)

Claire Most mastered the slicked-back chignon and paired it with a cool black tank top and leather pants.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878880712-main

Ali Tate
(Image credit: @ali_tate_cutler)

Ali Tate's tousled chignon is the icing on top of her romantic look.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878886677-main

Stephanie Broek
(Image credit: @stephaniebroek)

Stephanie Broek opted to wrap a scrunchie around her low bun.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878890378-main

Chrissy Rutherford
(Image credit: @chrissyford)

Chrissy Rutherford kept the effortless vibe of her outfit with a side-parted chignon.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878895940-main

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
(Image credit: @rosiehw)

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is the queen of chic chignons.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878877936-main

Monikh
(Image credit: @monikh)

Monikh shows off her classic low bun style.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878901763-main

Angela Fink
(Image credit: @angelafink)

Angela Fink stays true to her minimalist style with an easy chignon.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878916905-main

Zoë Kravitz
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Zoë Kravitz stuns in a knotted chignon hairstyle.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878906624-main

Meghan Markle
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Meghan Markle added a touch of flair to her twisted chignon with piecey bangs.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878934244-main

Aïda Badji Sané
(Image credit: @aida.bdji)

Aïda Badji Sané is known for her elegant, classic style, and her low bun is no exception.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878972248-main

Hailey Bieber
(Image credit: @haileybieber)

Hailey Bieber gave her messy chignon a fun update with flower-embellished bobby pins.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878977616-main

Shailene Woodley
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Shailene Woodley is red carpet ready with her sleek chignon.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878944077-main

Anne-Laure Mais
(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Anne-Laure Mais proves that a classic chignon is appropriate for even the dressiest of occasions.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878948132-main

Sylvie Mus
(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Sylvie Mus's low bun helps to showcase her incredibly chic neck scarf.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878980915-main

Kate Middleton
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Kate Middleton's woven chignon is fit for a princess.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878964813-main

Anouk Yve
(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Anouk Yve makes a cool case for low buns with lots of texture.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878961262-main

TyLynn Nguyen
(Image credit: @tylynnnguyen)

TyLynn Nguyen's proves that even the tiniest of low buns looks super elevated.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670878985588-main

Zazie Beetz
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Zazie Beetz brought her chignon to the next level with a statement hair accessory.

chignon-hairstyles-304358-1670880166417-main

Alexis Foreman
(Image credit: @alexisforeman)

Alexis Foreman is everyday-look goals with her no-fuss low bun and cozy outfit.

Products for Perfecting a Chignon

Next up: The Fashion Crowd Says This Retro Hairstyle Is Back—Here's How to Modernize It

Jennifer Camp Forbes
Contributing Editor

Jennifer Camp Forbes is currently the shopping updates editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for over a decade, including creative director and various editor roles. She’s well-known as a shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups, digital moodboards, and extensive knowledge of up-and-coming brands, plus the new arrivals sections of the chicest retailers. Jennifer has had a lifelong interest in fashion which led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion. While she has called Los Angeles and New York City home in the past, she currently works remotely from Massachusetts. When she’s not obsessing over and writing about her latest fashion finds, she is delighting in raising two little ones with her highschool sweetheart, perusing TikTok religiously, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, creating abstract photographs, and eating the best Mexican food she can get her hands on.