In the Mood For… A Ballet Bun
Ballet season is upon us: The New York City Ballet opened its spring season last week, and last night, the dancers of NYCB faced off against the American Ballet Theater in a nail-biter of a ping-pong match. But it’s not just about pointe shoes and ultra-flexibility — ballet also offers a few spring beauty inspirations like exaggerated eyeliner and bold brows. Most of all, on-stage beauty is defined by the ballet bun, a sleek, tight knot at the nape of the neck. As the weather changes, a bun is both utilitarian and cute, keeping hair up and away from the face and neck. Here, find a few of our favorite buns — inspired by ballet and beyond — that take the hair style to the next level. Pirouettes not included.
Once you tie your hair up, your bun might grow its own bun.
“Altitude Slickness,” photographed by Sølve Sundsbø; W magazine March 2012.
Mastering the art of seduction, one casual topknot at a time.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” photographed by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, styled by Edward Enninful; W magazine March 2015.
A teetering, carefully sculpted updo is kind of like a bun, right?
“Model Mania,” photographed by Michael Thompson, styled by Edward Enninful; W magazine November 2012.
A classic ballet bun — with a few strategic flyaways — makes the perfect pair with a sultry, dramatic eye.
Backstage at Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2015, photographed by Olivia Locher; W magazine February 2015.
The chopsticks-through-bun look gets elevated — literally. A bun on top of the head is quite the upgrade.
Gisele Bundchen in “The G Spot”; W magazine July 2007.
Designer Ashley Williams takes the phrase “topknot” quite seriously. “The New Guard,” photographed by Tim Walker, styled by Edward Enninful; W magazine April 2013.
Watch out — your bun might even contain an entire world.
“Magical Thinking,” photographed by Tim Walker, styled by Jacob K; W magazine March 2012.
While the ballet bun is all about sleek (aerodynamic!) hair, Vera Wang’s Fall 2015 buns left everything hanging out. Especially clips and loose ends.
Backstage at Vera Wang Fall 2015, photographed by Olivia Locher; W magazine February 2015.
Model Adwoa Aboah gets it both ways: a sleek, ballet-ready bun with a topsy-turvy, crooked knot on the end.
“The New Guard,” photographed by Tim Walker, styled by Edward Enninful; W magazine April 2013.
Buns on buns: the look of the future.
W magazine March 2007.
