18 High Bun Styles That Add Inches to Your Height
Have you ever wished for a quick, non-permanent way to look taller? While wardrobe choices like heels and high-waisted pants often get all the credit, there’s a powerful style secret sitting right on top of your head: the high bun. More than just a convenient updo, a strategically placed high bun can create the illusion of added height, improve your posture, and instantly elevate your entire silhouette. It’s the ultimate hair hack for anyone wanting to stand a little taller, both literally and figuratively.
Why High Buns Create the Illusion of Height
Before we dive into the styles, let’s understand the magic. A high bun works as an optical illusion. By placing volume at the highest point of your head, it extends your vertical line. The eye is naturally drawn upward, following the line from your shoulders, past your elongated neck, to the crown of your head. This seamless upward journey makes your entire frame appear longer and leaner. Furthermore, wearing your hair up and away from your shoulders often encourages better, taller posture, amplifying the effect. It’s a simple trick with a dramatic payoff.
The Classic & Sleek Section
For a polished, powerful look that screams sophistication, you can’t go wrong with a classic sleek bun. These styles are perfect for the office, formal events, or any time you want a clean, height-boosting finish.
1. The Ballerina Bun
The quintessential high bun. Positioned directly at your crown, this smooth, tight bun is the gold standard for adding height. Use a bristle brush and gel to eliminate every flyaway for a flawless finish.
2. The Sleek High Ponytail Bun
Create an ultra-high, tight ponytail first, then wrap it into a bun. This double-step ensures maximum height and security. The sleek base pulls the skin of the face and neck slightly taut, enhancing the elongating effect.
3. The Twisted Rope Bun
Before wrapping your ponytail into a bun, split it into two sections and twist them around each other. Then coil the twisted rope into a bun. This adds subtle texture and visual interest while maintaining a sleek profile.
The Voluminous & Textured Section
If you have fine hair or just love a more dramatic, eye-catching look, adding volume is key. These buns use teasing, twisting, and accessories to create towering styles.
4. The Teased Crown Bun
Tease the hair at the crown thoroughly before gathering it into a high ponytail and forming a bun. The backcombing creates lift and volume from the roots, making the bun itself sit higher and look fuller.
5. The Donut Bun
A classic for a reason. Using a hair donut (or sock!) around your ponytail creates instant, uniform volume and a perfect circle shape. The bigger the donut, the more inches you add.
6. The Messy Top Knot
The effortless champion. This intentionally messy bun, with face-framing pieces and pulled-out loops, adds incredible volume and a cool-girl vibe. The relaxed texture contrasts with the high placement, drawing all eyes upward.
7. The Bubble Bun
Create a high ponytail and secure it with elastics at regular intervals down its length. Gently pull each section to create “bubbles” before coiling the end into a small bun. It’s a fun, modern look with major height impact.
The Braided & Intricate Section
Incorporate braids for a stylish, intricate look that adds both height and detailed artistry. These styles are perfect for making a statement.
8. The Braided Crown Bun
Create a Dutch or French braid along your hairline, circling your head like a crown. Gather all remaining hair, including the braid ends, into a high bun at the top. This wraps the head in height.
9. The Braided Bun Wrap
Form a high bun first. Then take a small section of hair, braid it, and wrap the braid around the base of the bun, pinning it securely. It adds a beautiful, bohemian accent that emphasizes the bun’s placement.
10. The High Fishtail Bun
Put your hair into a very high ponytail, fishtail braid it, and then wrap the braid into a bun. The unique texture of the fishtail makes the bun appear larger and more detailed.
The Elegant & Twisted Section
Twists offer a softer, more romantic alternative to braids, creating beautiful volume and elegant lines that contribute to the height illusion.
11. The Twisted Updo Bun
Instead of a simple ponytail, create two twists on either side of your head, pulling them back to meet at a high central point. Combine them into one elegant, twisted bun full of body.
12. The Gibson Tuck Variation
Create a loose, high bun but instead of tucking all the ends, allow some to flow out gracefully or twist them into an artful shape. This Edwardian-inspired look has a beautiful, lofty volume.
13. The Rope Twist Bun
Combine two large sections of hair in a rope twist all the way up from the nape to the crown, then coil into a bun. It creates a stunning, seamless spiral effect leading the eye up.
The Fun & Accessorized Section
Don’t underestimate the power of accessories! They can add both literal height and glamorous focal points to your high bun.
14. The Bun with a Scarf
Fold a long silk or satin scarf, tie it around your head like a headband, and let the ends hang. Create your high bun, then incorporate the scarf tails by twisting or wrapping them through the bun for a pop of color and extra height.
15. The Pinned-Up Bun with Clips
After creating your bun, adorn it with large, decorative hair clips or pins. Placing them vertically or radiating outward adds structure and draws attention to the top of your head.
16. The High Space Buns
For a playful, youthful look, create two high buns (or ponytails wrapped into buns) at the very top of your head. The double structure creates a wide, high volume that’s impossible to miss.
For Curly & Natural Hair
Curly and coily hair textures are naturally blessed with volume, making them perfect for creating stunning, height-enhancing buns.
17. The High Puff Bun
Gather your curls into a very high ponytail at the crown, but instead of wrapping, allow the ends to burst into a full, rounded puff. Secure the base and shape the puff for a majestic, sky-high silhouette.
18. The Twisted Curly Bun
Create multiple two-strand twists all over your head. Gather them all up to the crown and secure them together into a large, textured bun. The individual twists add incredible volume and a stunning artistic pattern.
Pro Tips for a Taller-Looking Bun Every Time
Position is Everything: Always aim for the crown of your head—the very top. Use a mirror to check the side profile; the bun should be visible from the front.
Lift at the Roots: Tease the hair at the crown or use a volumizing spray and blow-dry your roots upside down before styling.
Secure Tightly: Use a strong, coated elastic and plenty of bobby pins that match your hair color. Anchor pins in a criss-cross pattern for hold.
Mind Your Neckline: Wearing V-necks or open necklines enhances the elongating effect of a high bun by exposing more of the neck and collarbone.
Posture Perfect: Finally, stand tall! A high bun naturally encourages you to pull your shoulders back and lift your chin, completing the taller, more confident illusion.
Embrace Your New Height
As you can see, the humble high bun is a versatile and powerful tool in your style arsenal. It’s more than just a hairstyle; it’s an instant attitude and posture adjuster. From the sleekness of a ballerina bun to the carefree volume of a top knot or the majestic beauty of a curly puff, each of these 18 styles offers a unique path to adding inches to your height. So next time you’re getting ready, look up—way up—to the crown of your head. Your perfect, height-boosting bun is waiting to be created.
Which style will you try first to elevate your look? Experiment, have fun, and enjoy the confident, taller feeling that comes with a perfectly placed high bun.
