Up until recently, the only time we rocked a ponytail was when we were made to tie up our hair with a elastic band during double physics (health and safety folks). Indeed, over the past few decades this simple, functional hairstyle was associated with sensible, studious types. But rather than just keeping the hair out of our eyes or being a useful way to combat bad hair days, the ponytail has since come into its own both on the red carpet and the catwalk. 

But it needn't be boring - click through our gallery of 34 twists on the traditional ponytail.