Dutch Braid Vs. French Braid: Know the Difference and Similarities

Both the French braid and the Dutch braid are classic braids. Both look intricate and super beautiful. The braiding techniques are the basis for a wide variety of braided hairstyles, from practical sports hairstyles to wonderful Dirndl hairstyles.

The optical difference : Both are braided braids that are braided in a similar way, but look completely different. The Dutch braid looks like an attached braid, so it “stands out” from the rest of the hairstyle, the French braid is tied into the hairstyle more at the level of the rest of the hair.

What is Dutch Braid?

Similar to the French interlace, this braided haircut can also be completed as a single twist or a double twist. Double Dutch braids are sometimes called “combat twists.” The Dutch braid also joins small areas of hair in the twist as it progresses from the crown of the head to the nape of the neck.

However, style-wise, it will look somewhat changed. The Dutch braid will look less like a falling braid and more like a solitary braid floating on top of the hair with the hair segments tucked neatly underneath.

To master the Dutch braid, you’ll follow most of the same strategies as a regular French braid with one key contrast: Instead of bringing the left and right strands over the focal point, you’ll bring them down, bringing the outer strands down. The centerpiece is what makes that sliding spin impact. Other than that, the media is no different in any way! In Dutch weave, you’ll also start by making a couple of columns of a conventional mesh before weaving in new areas of hair. As you begin to weave the hair, you will continue to join small areas of hair all the way to the nape of the neck.

What is French Braid?

The French twist is in contrast to a fundamental braid as it involves entangling small areas of hair in the three strands as it is intertwined, making the twist appear to fall down the back of the head. The final product should bind all the hair together and be tight against the scalp. The end is usually achieved with a ponytail holder when there are about two strands of hair left, however, the specific amount of hair you leave free is absolutely a matter of individual inclination!

To do a French twist, divide your hair into three segments at the crown, and start by first making one or two columns of a conventional twist: place the correct section in the middle. Then at that point he places the left strand over the middle.

As long as you’ve done this multiple times, you’ll continue with the outer focus layout. However, you will begin to acquire different strands of hair. Currently, before you put the left or right segment over the middle, you’ll get a small piece of hair from that side of your head and add it to the strand that’s moving.

You will want to make sure you get a straight line of hair that goes directly from your hairline to where the mesh frames. Keep working in your downward direction until there is no hair left to consolidate. Assuming you have long hair, you can go back to a regular twist to wrap by intertwining the excess ponytail.

What’s The Difference Between Dutch and French Braids?

1. “Normal” braid yourself : The minimum requirement for a braid is that you can braid your own hair.

French before Dutch braid: As a beginner, I would then start with the French braid. The braiding technique is more like “normal” braiding, because the strands of hair are guided over the middle strand.

2. Practice with another person: The easiest way to practice is with another person or with a doll. Here you can fully concentrate on braiding.
3. Side braid: As a next step, you can try a side braid because the hand position is more intuitive than at the back of the head and you can see what you are doing in the mirror. However, everything is mirrored in the mirror, which can also be irritating. It’s best to decide for yourself whether braiding with a mirror or purely by feel is easier for you.
4. Back of Head Braid: The most challenging is a braid at the back of the head. Here you can’t see in the mirror how you braid and the position of your hands is also unusual. In this case, I rely on my feelings.

Dutch braid: If you master the French braid, you can also do the Dutch braid in no time at all.

Dutch Braid Vs. French Braid: The braiding techniques

What they have in common: The Dutch and French braiding techniques are very similar: With each braiding process, a new strand is added on the left and right and integrated into the braid until all the hair on the neck has been braided into the braid.

The difference :

• With the French braid, the strands of hair are passed OVER the middle strand,
• Performed UNDER the middle strand in the Dutch braid.

French Vs. Dutch Braid – How to Braid Your Hair?

How to Dutch Braid Your Hair?

The Dutch braid, like the French braid, is a classic braid. The nice thing about it is that the braid can be pulled into a very full shape and is therefore also ideal for thin hair. The Dutch braid is not only practical as a summer hairstyle or sports hairstyle, but also an eye-catcher at every folk festival.

Required basic knowledge: Dutch braid

Basic knowledge : Do you have problems braiding the Dutch braid? Then try the side variant first, because you can see how you are braiding in the mirror.

• Difficulty level: medium
• Recommended Hair Length: Long bob or long hair
• Duration: 10-15 minutes depending on hair length

Tip: If you have rather thin hair or if you want to braid a really full Dutch braid, then make sure your hair is wavy or curly beforehand. Extra volume and especially gentle on the hair, make curls without heat.

Braiding a Dutch braid – The tools

• Brush
• Stielkamm
• 1 hair tie
• Possibly hairspray with a medium hold

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Simple Dutch Braid

Start with dry or damp hair. You can try this hairstyle on both straight and curly hair. Gently comb your hair and pull it back. Apply some hair mousse to the medium lengths of your hair (and not the roots). This product gives extra volume to your hair and a shiny “just washed” appearance. 

It is usually lighter on the hair, unlike gels that weigh your hair down and give it a crunchy look.
If you have thin or fine hair, mousse is probably an indispensable product for you as it gives instant volume to the hair.

Now create a side partition.

1. Brush the hair well. Section off a strand of hair in the middle of the face. 

2.  Divide this strand of hair into three equal strands of hair (a, b, c).

3. Pass section of hair (a) UNDER middle section of hair (b). She is now the new middle strand of hair. Info: Passing the strand of hair UNDER the middle one is the only difference to the French braid where the strand of hair goes OVER the middle one.

4. Pass the strand of hair (c) under the middle strand of hair (a).

5. From now on, new strands of hair are added from the left and right for braiding. Pass the strand of hair (b) under the middle strand of hair (c) AND…

6. Add a new narrow section of hair (+d) to the left.

7. Now pass the new strand of hair (d) under the middle strand of hair (c) and add it to the strand of hair (b). The strands of hair (b+d) are the new middle strand of hair (b).

8. Repeat steps 5-7 on the other side as well. First, pass the strand of hair (a) under the middle strand of hair (b) AND…

9. Add a new strand of hair (+d) to the right, which then…

10. Is also carried out under the middle strand of hair (b) and added to the strand of hair (a). The strands of hair (a+d) are in turn the new middle strand of hair (a).

Repeat steps 5-7 or 8-10 alternately left and right until all hair is braided into the Dutch braid.

11. Once you have reached the nape of your neck and have braided all your hair into the braid, continue braiding the Dutch braid normally – the Dutch way. To do this, guide the right section of hair under the middle.

12. And then weave the left strand of hair under the middle strand of hair again.

13. Secure the Dutch braid with a hair tie and give it a full shape.

The Dutch braid is ready!

How to French Braid Your Hair?

A French braid is a standard braided hairstyle that many girls are familiar with from their childhood days. Learning to braid the French braid yourself requires a little perseverance. But it’s worth it, because the braid looks very beautiful, is timeless and suitable for many occasions, for example as a “Wiesn hairstyle”.

Basic knowledge required: French braid for beginners

Basic knowledge:  The French braid is not one of the very easy braided hairstyles. Getting it right takes a little practice. The easiest way is to practice on another person first before attempting your own mane. 

As previous knowledge, you should already  be able to braid “normally”  .

• Difficulty level: medium
• Recommended hair length: shoulder length to very long hair
• Duration: about 10 minutes

French braid tool

• Hair brush
• Hair tie
• Medium hold hairspray
• Hair ornaments if desired

Eleven Quick and Easy Step-by-Step Guide to French Braids

1. Brush your hair well so that it is as smooth as possible. To finish, brush back all the hair away from your face.

Part a narrow strand of hair in the middle of your face.

2. Divide this strand of hair into three equal parts.

3. Start braiding the section of hair “normally”. To do this, take the strand of hair (a) over the middle strand of hair (c). 

4. Now put the strand of hair (b) over the middle strand of hair (a).

5. Now the actual braiding technique begins, which gives the French braid its typical appearance.

Pass the strand of hair (c) over the middle strand of hair (b) as usual. Strand (c) is now the new middle strand of hair.

Now add a new, narrow strand of hair (+d). To do this, run your index finger (her left hand) starting from the face backwards in the direction of the braid and separate the new strand of hair (+d).

6. Hold the 3 strands of hair (a, b, c) in one hand (right hand here). To keep them separate, hold a finger between each.

7. Pass the new strand of hair (+d) over the strand of hair (b) and add it to the middle strand of hair (c).

The strands of hair (c+d) together form the new middle strand of hair (c). To keep the strands of hair separate, hold a finger between each strand.

8.  Now put the strand of hair (a) over the middle strand of hair (c) again.

Again, add a new, narrow strand of hair (+d). Use your index finger (here the right hand) to separate it from the face towards the braid.

9. Hold the 3 strands of hair (a, b, c) in your (here left) hand.

10. Bring the new strand of hair (+d) over the strand of hair (c) to the middle strand of hair (a). The strands of hair (a+d) now together form the middle strand of hair.

11. Repeat steps 5-7 and 8-10 – always adding a new small strand of hair – until all the hair is braided into the braid.

12. When all the hair is braided into the French braid, continue braiding “normally”. With very long hair, it works easier if you braid the braid to the end.

Tie the finished braid together.

French and Dutch Braid: Hairstyles Ideas

Once learned, the two braiding techniques can be used to conjure up fantastically beautiful braided hairstyles for every occasion.

Tip: If you make slight waves in your hair before braiding, the finished braids will look a lot fuller!

Braided hairstyles with instructions: Both the Dutch braid and the French braid can be braided for a sporty, festive or “everyday” look. With a little practice, all the braided hairstyles presented can be done without outside help. With a click on the picture you get to a detailed step-by-step picture guide:

Practical sports hairstyles: boxer braids and co

When doing sports, the hair should not disturb or get in the way. As the name suggests, boxer braids – i.e. two Dutch braids – are perfect as a sports hairstyle. The cool braids are suitable for diving into cool water, for surfing, sailing, cycling as well as for Zumba, yoga or strength training.

A single Dutch braid, a single French braid or two French braids are also super practical for sports.

Cool summer braided hairstyles

In summer, when the temperatures rise, the back and neck should be airy and free. What is better than a beautiful, simple braided hairstyle with a bun. According to the motto “even a beautiful back can be delightful”, a Dutch braid with a bun, a braided low bun or a side bun with a French braid also bring a summer dress with a low back into the right light.

Casual evening hairstyles

If you wore a French braid while bathing during the day, cute beach waves will show up in your hair in the evening. It would be a pity to hide them again. But you can really show them off with a half-open Dutch braid or a braided headband made from your own hair.

Festive dirndl and Oktoberfest hairstyles

The braided hairstyles at the Oktoberfest, Kirchtag or as a dirndl hairstyle can be a little more “playful”. Wreath hairstyles are classic here. But a side braid, an attached braid with flower accessories or a braid braided diagonally will make you sweat less easily than loose hair, even on the dance floor.

Dutch Braid Vs. French Braid: The Final Truth

Dutch Braid	French Braid
Hair strands go under one another	Hair strands go over one another
Pops out more than a French braid	Quite flat compared to Dutch Braid
Slightly more complicated for beginners	Easier to learn for beginners
Thicker in the middle	Smooth throughout

1. Dutch Braid conveys a 3D impression, while the French braid is kind of a flat type.
2. In Dutch Braid, the strands cross three strands from below the gaps in the hair, while in a French braid, the strands of hair are placed over each other over the middle of the hair from a higher point.
3. Dutch Braid makes a thick bunch of braid in the middle, while French Braid exudes a soft look.
4. Dutch Braid goes through it, while French Braid goes through it.
5. In Dutch Braid, the left strand passes above the middle section, the right strand passes through the middle section, whereas, in French Braid, the left strand crosses below the middle section, the right strand crosses below the middle section.

Final Thoughts

I hope I was able to explain the two braiding techniques to you in an understandable way and make them palatable. Learning really pays off, because you can form countless creative hairstyles with both braiding techniques that are a real eye-catcher on numerous occasions!

Kind regards, Astrid Mich