W hile braids have long been a staple of Black culture and fashion, some styles have achieved a higher status than others.

Here, the stunning Zendaya went with gorgeous, ultra-long cornrows going straight back. For a regal air, try a crown braid. While the style is fit for royalty, it's actually quite unfussy ...

a crown. A milkmaid braid is positioned a little further back on the head and gets its name from... milkmaids. Back when, these working women often chose the style for its practicality.

The cornrows continue into large box braids that beautifully frame the loose curls on the back of her head. While this style follows a signature Alicia Keys blueprint, its distinction is in its ...