This was a trick I learned from a ballet dancer I went to high school with, a trick I have shared with every person who was interested enough to ask “How on earth did you get a bun like that?”

This can work for any length hair that is long enough for a normal bun I think, depending on exactly how you want to style it.

For this bun you will need:

An old (clean!) mate-less sock, dark colors work best
Scissors (Intrigued yet?)
At least 2 hair ties, and possible pins depending on hairstyle preference

1)      Cut the toe off of the sock, just the toe, turning it from a sock to a tube.


2)      Begin rolling the sock outward into a donut shape, starting at the toe, keeping it tightly coiled.


3)      When you’re all done rolling, you should have something that looks like this:


4)      Put your hair into a ponytail—how you do this is up to you, whether you just want it half up, or all the way.


5)      Once your hair is up, put the sock over your ponytail, all the way to the base.


6)      Now the fun part…flip your head forward and let your hair “fountain” over the sock. This takes some getting used to, you might need to do it a few times to get it right, or utilize a buddy’s birds-eye view. As you can see, mine isn’t very even on my first try (but hey, this is just a tutorial)


7)      Once you have your hair evenly covering the sock (and none is showing through) slide the second hair tie over the bun…usually you won’t need to loop it more than once, if you do, try using a smaller hair tie.


8)      It may take a couple tries if you are looking for a sleeker look, but I like mine to look a little messy.

9)      Now, what you do with what’s left is totally up to you. Often, I will leave mine hanging out because I like the wild look, but it is just as easy to wrap it around the base of the bun and pin it under, or use your favorite hair sticks to decorate.

Now, I did mine quickly and didn’t bother to make it fancy, but I’m sure by now you can see all the possibilities this method provides! I hope this was helpful, and if you like this little trick then I encourage you to share it with those who inquire. Hair and beauty tips were certainly meant to be celebrated and shared!

Thanks! I've got a washed-out red dye job, I'm gunna be hennaing it for the first time in about a week or two (as soon as my henna arrives!) ...I'm very excited.

Don't you just love the look on peoples faces when you tell them youve got a sock in your hair?

HEE! I love sock buns. I think I put instructions in a post of mine while back, might be in my journal(not sure), where I mentioned ny "sock colored scrunchie"... that always gets weird looks! 

I like the way yours looks with the wild curls hanging down... My waves dont' look quite so wonderful, with the dark brown bun and copper/blonde ends hanging down(looks like a cheap hair piece or a horrible dye job(which it was))

yay! I remember when you showed me that!  Actually I was wondering the other day wtf happened to the sock bun thingies I had made years ago they are lost somewhere, I need to make new ones!!  I will have to buy socks though bc I dont really wear them or have them laying around!  They make such nice buns!  And great tutorial!

i just tried your bun idea and i love it! it looks beautiful. i have been wanting to try something with my hair but i felt any good-looking hairdo would take a long time to master and this one is just up my alley. thanks for sharing.

brunette85

Strawberryfine, you might just need a vinegar rinse to pick your hair up and make it shiny!!

Wow, I can't wait to try this!! Thanks!!

Wow that is awsome! I would have never thought of using a sock! I will have to remember this for when my hair is long enough!

I was wondering what I was gonna  do with all of hubby's socks with holes then I saw this and HELLO sock buns!
Now off to create!!!

I almost forgot....when I was a kid (I had hair below my tush) we did sock buns for dance class and the teacher taught us a trick for long hair.  Instead of just wrapping the left over hair around the bun, if you braid it first then wrap it around the bun it stays up better.   

Would love to see a pic,Tara!