As I write this, my hair is tied up in a ponytail. But unlike Zendaya, my ponytail is more “need to get my hair out of my face for the work day” and less “attending a red carpet event in a Louis Vuitton gown.” That said, there’s more in common with our ponytails than you might think! For the 2024 Gotham Awards in New York City on December 2, the Challengers star opted for a simple pony that felt fresh, effortless, and attainable.
Zendaya’s Gothams look blended elements of sporty style and classic, minimalist glamour, courtesy the sleek-yet-perky ponytail and the aforementioned white Vuitton halter dress. Her chocolate brown hair was pulled back from her face and gathered into a ponytail at the crown of her head, but this isn’t a super-sleek, slicked-down ponytail or a wet-look style. There’s a softness and ease to it, as though she just pulled it back herself, curled the ends, and got dressed.
The tail itself is also worth talking about, as its twirling, flippy shape is as precise as a pro cheerleader’s. The ends were flipped out just so, adding bounce and a little cheekiness to what appeared to be an all-business pony from the front. Unlike many red carpet ponytails, this one was created sans extensions or skyscraper-high teasing—it’s just a great, classic, pitch-perfect ponytail that you could easily copy with a brush, a few pins, and a curling iron. Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one!
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