Boho Braids vs. Traditional Braids: What Sets Them Apart and Brings Them Together

Almost everywhere you turn, someone is rocking Boho Braids, and to be honest, what’s there not to love?

These beauties have an aesthetic appeal that is hard to resist, making them an instant favorite among many braids lovers.

Still, there must be days when you wonder what exactly makes these braids different from traditional braids - after all, they are all braids, right?

If this is you, we’ve got you covered. 

In this blog post, we will introduce you to the world of braids, describing the similarities and differences between Boho braids and traditional braids and what makes each one unique!

Without wasting time, let’s get started.😁

Boho Braids vs. Traditional Braids

Braids have always been a timeless hairstyle, regardless of their form. Whether boho braids or traditional braids, there’s always something for everyone.

Still, it can get sketchy to know what makes these two unique. Below are the three categories we use to explain what makes each stand out from the other:

Description

Boho braids, short for bohemian braids, are loose, almost carefree hairstyles that are all about being effortlessly chic in a way that doesn’t do too much.

The essence of these braids is drawn from the bohemian movement, which is basically a deviation from the conventional way of living.

So, simply put, boho braids are all about creating a relaxed, free-spirited, and fun vibe with your hairstyle. Traditional braids, on the other hand, focus on precision and ‘structure.’ They are always neat and uniform and mostly give off a clean, polished vibe.

These braids can be simple, but their beauty lies in the more intricate patterns.

Characteristics

Boho braids are characterized by their loose, ‘undone’ appearance, especially with the wispy curls woven into each braid strand and scattered across.

In a way, boho braids highlight the beauty in what can be described as its imperfect state. 

Traditional braids, once again, are all about precision and structure. Hence, each braid strand is usually tightly woven to produce a meticulous finish. 

Braiding Technique

Quite frankly, there isn’t much difference in the braiding techniques of both boho and traditional braids. The main difference is that boho braids are often more relaxed, hence the loose, almost uneven strands.

On the other hand, traditional braids focus on even sectioning, tighter braid strands, and more secure weaving right from the scalp.

This ensures a much neater appearance and a long-lasting protective hairstyle.

Similarities between Boho Braids and Traditional Braids

Now, let’s see the similarities between boho and traditional braids.

Braiding Technique

As mentioned earlier, there isn’t much difference between boho and traditional braids, even though they have different appearances. 

Both braid styles follow the same old technique of interweaving two or three strands of hair to create a braid. 

Protective Styling

Whether you are team boho or traditional braids, both styles offer protective benefits for your natural hair.

Through the braiding technique, your hair is safely tucked away and shielded from harmful factors like overheating, harsh chemicals, and sun exposure, which can cause breakage and damage to your hair follicles.

Aesthetic Appeal

Both boho and traditional braids have something in common: their aesthetic appeal.

The beauty of boho braids lies in their artistic, effortlessly chic, and relaxed appearance.

Traditional braids, on the other hand, have a classic and elegant appeal derived from their neat and polished appearance, especially when woven in intricate patterns.

Versatility

Another thing boho braids and traditional braids have in common is versatility. You can rock both styles in several ways.

From side parts to messy buns and ponytails, and even right down to accessorizing boho braids, there’s no limit to how you can slay with any of these braids.

Differences between Boho Braids and Traditional Braids

We’ve discussed what boho and traditional braids have in common. Now, let’s understand the main differences between both styles, even though they are all ‘braids.’

Appearance

If there’s a fast and more obvious way to highlight the difference between boho and traditional braids, it is definitely in their appearance. Boho braids are known for their loose, often larger braids accentuated by wispy curls for a messy and casual finish.

Traditional braids, on the other hand, are known for their structure and even appearance. They are often precise, neat, and more elaborate than boho braids.

Styling

Another major difference between the two braids is the styling process. Boho braids styling is user-friendly that can be styled in minutes. Traditional braids, however, require precision and skill to style properly and achieve the true beauty of the hairdo.

Also, most traditional braids do not offer enough freedom for styling because, once done, they are often not adjustable. 

Comfort

While comfort is relative for different people, boho braids are a favorite because they are comfortable. The braids are not tightly woven, which is accessible on the scalp and allows more movement.

Traditional braids, due to their need for precision, tend to cause discomfort, especially on the scalp, where they need to be tighter to look great.

Longevity

Boho braids may look fabulous, but they are not usually designed to be long-lasting.

This is primarily due to the braids’ looseness, and the curls tend to get frizzy over time, especially if you do not have the time to maintain boho braids.

Traditional braids, however, are designed to be durable due to their tight nature.

Due to how they are braided, these braids can hold up for a long time without appearing messy.

Inclusivity for Hair Types

Boho braids reign supreme because they work well for any hair.

Whether your hair is coarse, fine, straight, curly, long, or short, you can rock boho braids like every other person.

Traditional braids, however, work best for people with coarse, thicker hair, again due to their tight nature. Someone with fine hair may have trouble dealing with traditional braids because the tension may irritate their scalp.

Installation Process

Installing boho braids is less stressful and relatively fast. You can even use crotchet braids, such as the Private Label Deep Wave Boho Braids, for a more effortless and quicker process.

Traditional braids, on the other hand, are labor-intensive and require more skill and time to create the perfect look.

You could spend long hours in the stylist’s chair to get a neat and uniform finish.

What about Boho Braids vs Goddess Braids?

Boho braids, short for "bohemian," are a carefree, eclectic, and somewhat messy aesthetic often associated with bohemian or festival-inspired styles.

These braids are characterized by their textured and voluminous appearance, incorporating loose, wavy, or curly sections of hair. They are intentionally left a bit messy and undone, giving a relaxed, effortless vibe with flyaways and loose strands.

This style often mixes braid types, like fishtail and Dutch braids, to create a soft, natural, and integrated look.

In contrast, goddess braids are cornrow braids known for their sleek, structured, and elegant appearance.

These braids are typically larger and more defined than standard cornrows, tightly woven close to the scalp to create a clean and polished look. Goddess braids often feature intricate patterns and designs, ranging from straight-back styles to geometric shapes.

They are an excellent protective style that helps keep hair healthy by minimizing manipulation and exposure to environmental factors. The overall finish of goddess braids is smooth and sleek, achieved with styling products to ensure a refined and sophisticated appearance.

Which one do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below!

Who Wins?

So there you have it!

Whether you are using team boho or traditional braids, there’s no denying that each has its unique touch that makes them stand out. Now that you understand the similarities and differences between both, you can choose which works perfectly for you.

For those on Team Boho braids who need to embrace the relaxed, free-spirited look, we recommend trying out the Private Label Boho braids designed for the boho goddess looking to stun and turn heads with her hairstyle.

Made with pre-twisted synthetic hair and deep wave bulk human braiding hair to give it that undone look that we all love, the Private Label Boho Braids is also available in 16, 20, and 24 inches in natural black 1B. 

With these pre-twisted braids, say hello to more fun times and goodbye to hours on your hair stylist’s chair!👋🏿

Remember, you can visit the nearest Private Label Store for additional advice!