10 iconic ponytails from pop culture

It's one of the most basic hairstyles, but somehow it's become legendary - here we take a look at 10 of the most iconic ponytails from pop culture. From Sandra Dee's sweet-and-innocent twirly, girly style to Madonna's bombshell Blond Ambition braided-base number, the ponytail has well and truly earned its place as a styling staple. Worn high and tight, it has a strict, sexy feel. Worn low with a side-parting, it's a demure, ladylike look. And then there's the finish - curls and body through the lengths ooze youth and vitality, while a sleek, flat-ironed look harks towards something a little more fashion-forward. However it's worn, the ponytail is at the heart of some of the most iconic looks in pop culture history - check out some of our favourite looks below! Madonna Madonna's Blond Ambition ponytail, above, was just one of the memorable aspects of the legendary 1990 tour. Designer Jean-Paul Gaultier created the outfits for the entire show, with the false plaited ponytail becoming an iconic look alongside that pointed bullet bra. Barbara Eden The inspiration behind Madonna's plaited ponytail? It could just have been Barbara Eden. In I Dream of Jeannie her fantastical exotic style wasn't just about harem pants and cropped tops - quirky hairstyles also played their part. As well as her trademark braided style, we love this layered look with curls. Françoise Dorléac Françoise was pure 60s siren in Where the Spies Are, a James Bond-style spoof made in 1965. This jumbo ponytail isn't just about the volume - that plaited detail can be seen yet again here. Catherine Deneuve Younger sister of Françoise, above, Catherine also made the ponytail look super stylish. In The Umbrellas of Cherboug, her take on the ponytail is a preppy, smooth style finished off with a chic bow. Brigitte Bardot Brigitte Bardot also topped off her ponytail with a bow, adding a girlish touch a vampish look. Her pony is all about volume, with masses of length, body and movement. Chris Evert US tennis champ Chris Evert often spruced up her sporting style with a ribbon in a coordinating shade to her on-court clothing. These days, countless sports stars dress up their 'dos with colour - be it a bow like this or full-on Williams-sister-style braids. Sandra Dee The sporty, All-American ponytail found a natural cheerleader in Sandra Dee. The actress favoured a simple, effortless, girlish aesthetic - as demonstrated perfectly in Gidget. Olivia Newton John Olivia Newton John might have been mocked as Sandy in Grease for resembling Sandra Dee, but we can't get enough of her preppy, perky ponytail. Of course, those post-makeover curls are also pretty memorable... Jane Fonda In Joy House gave a girly ponytail an elegant edge, with barrel-curled lengths and a wrapped base to hide the elastic. Sheer class - and how great does she look as a brunette? Audrey Hepburn No one did preppy elegance like Audrey Hepburn and her hair in Funny Face is up there with our favourites. Her short, swishy, tonged 'tail tied up with a bow looks just as great for an evening look as it did with head-to-toe black in the studio.

• See hundreds more ponytail pictures in the HJi gallery