An out-there style often associated with the Rastafarian community, dreadlocks could, in fact, be found on the heads of Ancient Egyptians. Well, no matter who claims ownership, we’re glad this creative, sass-packed, and sometimes controversial hairstyle can be seen everywhere, from the high street to the red carpet. With celebrities from Bob Marley (well, duh) to the likes of Erykah Badu and Whoopie Goldberg, stars across the world have rocked daring dreadlocks. And with the know-how, you can too!
There are as many ways to style dreadlocks as there are people who wear them—so, if freedom and experimentation are on your list, dreadlocks are the style for you. When it comes to dreadlocks, the key factors are size, neatness, and length. This triad will determine how your dreadlocks ultimately look.
For a wild-child bohemian vibe, we recommend a mixture of sizes and shapes and perhaps a few beads popped in for a cute accessorized style (you can always take them out for work!). You can also have fun with highlights to spice things up. Similarly-sized, uniform dreads are gorgeous if you prefer things neat and tidy, and you can always tie them into a ponytail or topknot for work.
Of course, length is key when it comes to the overall aesthetic. Short dreads look punky, quirky (well, even more so), and come with a razor-sharp attitude. Easier to maintain and with the option to grow them longer, short dreadlocks are a great choice for newbies. Or, if you have flowing locks you’d love to keep hold of, long dreadlocks look gorgeously feminine on women, too (just make sure you have a crochet hook handy to keep them tidy!).
So, if you fancy taking the plunge or simply revamping your existing dreadlocks, we’ve sewn up a guide to the best dreadlocks styles for women to inspire you.
P.S. Looking for more hairstyle ideas? Check our style guide to the most gorgeous hairstyles for black girls.
The 51 best dreadlock hairstyles for women
- Short Dreadlocks Women Hairstyle
- Medium Dreadlocks Style
- Long Dreadlocks for Women
- Long Hair Locs with Curly Ends
- Sisterlocks
- Braidlocs
- Fauxlocs
- Twisted Dread Updo
- Dreaded Halo with Highlights
- Dreadlock Bantu Knots
- Half Up Half Down Dread Bun
- Very High Bun with Dreaded Bangs
- High Dreadlock Bun with Bangs
- Dreaded Space Buns
- Snakey Updo with Dreads
- Dreadlock Tower Hairstyle
- Palm Tree Dread Ponytail
- Mohawk Dreads with Twisted Braids
- Side-Swept Braided Dreads
- Braid with Dreadlocks
- Huge Mohawk Dreads Style
- Mohawk Dreads Women
- Mohawk Dreads with Fade or Undercut
- Short Dreads in Blonde
- Short Freeform Dreads
- Dreaded Short Faux Locs
- Curly Colored Dreads
- Blue Locks Hairstyle
- Dyed Dreads Hairdo
- Dyed Dreads with Bangs
- Blonde Swirly Dread Bun
- Long Dreadlocks in Blonde
- Blonde Dreaded Space Buns
- Rainbow Inserts for Short Dreads
- Yarn Dreads in Two High Buns
- Thick Dreads with Beads or Strings
- Twist Dreads with Beads
- Half-Up Afro Dreads
- High-Top Dreads
- Long Dreadlocks Bob
- Afro Dreads in a Low Bun
- Synthetic Dreadlocks Hairstyle
- Ponytail Dreadlocks with Bangs
- Natural Dreadlocks Updo
- Blonde Small Dreads
- Curly Red Dreads
- Burgundy and Red Micro Dreads
- Colorful Kinky Curly Dreads
- Long Faux Locs for Females
- Blonde Dreadlocks with a Top Twist
- Blonde Dreads in a Mohawk Braid
Short Dreadlocks Women Hairstyle
Medium Dreadlocks Style
Long Dreadlocks for Women
Long Hair Locs with Curly Ends
Sisterlocks
Braidlocs
Fauxlocs
Twisted Dread Updo
Dreaded Halo with Highlights
Dreadlock Bantu Knots
Half Up Half Down Dread Bun
Very High Bun with Dreaded Bangs
High Dreadlock Bun with Bangs
Dreaded Space Buns
Snakey Updo with Dreads
Dreadlock Tower Hairstyle
Palm Tree Dread Ponytail
Mohawk Dreads with Twisted Braids
Side-Swept Braided Dreads
Braid with Dreadlocks
Huge Mohawk Dreads Style
Mohawk Dreads Women
Mohawk Dreads with Fade or Undercut
Short Dreads in Blonde
Short Freeform Dreads
Dreaded Short Faux Locs
Curly Colored Dreads
Blue Locks Hairstyle
Dyed Dreads Hairdo
Dyed Dreads with Bangs
Blonde Swirly Dread Bun
Long Dreadlocks in Blonde
Blonde Dreaded Space Buns
Rainbow Inserts for Short Dreads
Yarn Dreads in Two High Buns
Thick Dreads with Beads or Strings
Twist Dreads with Beads
Half-Up Afro Dreads
High-Top Dreads
Long Dreadlocks Bob
Afro Dreads in a Low Bun
Synthetic Dreadlocks Hairstyle
Ponytail Dreadlocks with Bangs
Natural Dreadlocks Updo
Blonde Small Dreads
Curly Red Dreads
Burgundy and Red Micro Dreads
Colorful Kinky Curly Dreads
Long Faux Locs for Females
Blonde Dreadlocks with a Top Twist
Blonde Dreads in a Mohawk Braid
