Divide hair into three equal sections. Cross the right-hand strand over the middle strand. Cross the left-hand strand over the middle strand. Repeat 5 to 7 times.

Bam — instant flare.

As versatile as underwear styles and sandwich combinations, braids are the new, yet old, trend making their way back onto the heads of women everywhere. Once a symbol of plain Jane featured on “Little House on the Prairie” or Marie Antoinette, the braid has been elevated to glamorous celebrity events such as the red carpetes of the SAG Awards and Billboard Music Awards.

“They aren’t just for kids anymore,” said Julia Smith, owner of Emmett Rodé Salon in Lincoln Park, who specializes in coloring and styling hair. “Braids add a twist to any style.”

According to 03br, a natural health advocate and research group, the concept of braiding has been around for at least 5,000 years. In Africa, braided hair can be traced back to 3,500 B.C.E. when it was a social event between women, especially family members, who would practice on each other’s hair and create new styles.

We all have our own braid memories. Remember when you were five years old and your mom sat you down before school to brush your hair and braid it simply, only for you to tear it apart during recess time?

Well, ladies, times aren’t as simple anymore and just as you have grown, so have the techniques of braiding. Although they aren’t exactly new, they’ve come back more popular than ever, and you’ll probably take better care of them this time around.

“Trends always come back around,” said Smith.

The classic French braid or side-braided pigtails have developed into endless possibilities of woven hairstyles.

“We’ve moved on from the braids we would rock as a child,” said Bombonica Codre, a recent graduate of Skin Care and Spa Institute in Skokie. “Now they crisscross in every direction, you can braid your own hair into a headband, a mohawk and heck, you can even have your name spelled out on your head in a braid if you’d like.”

Do the words fishtail, herringbone, milkmaid, topknot and waterfall braid mean anything to you? Braids are becoming so creative and intricate they should come out with their own dictionary and how-to book.

Some are simple and sophisticated like the ones that frame the face to create a headband effect (think Jennifer Anniston at the Academy Awards in 2009) or to push your bangs to the side (milkmaid). The French side up-do (habitually worn by Kourtney Kardashian) or braided bun (Mary J. Blige at the 2007 Grammys) is perfect for any formal event.

Even brides are wearing braids for their big day.

“I’ve been incorporating braids into brides’ and bridesmaids’ hair for weddings,” said Smith. “Some styles are too hard to do at home so you have to go to a stylist. And if you need more volume or thickness, you can always add in a few extension clips.”

You don’t have to go to a ballroom gala or wedding to sport the do, nor do you have to be a celebrity. There are plenty of tutorials available online to teach gals (and guys if they want) how to braid their own hair at home for various occasions, such as school or dates or just because.

Even guys seem to think they’re cute. Pete Merageas, a senior biology student at DePaul, said girls look good with braids, as long as they don’t wear them like Princess Leia from “Star Wars.”

It’s official — braids are the (kind of) new hair trend happening in 2012. They can be subtle or pretty crazy and massive. Either way we love them and their versatility.

“Braids are coming back trendier than ever,” said Lindita Hoxha, owner of Illyria Salon on Dearborn. “All age groups are braiding their hair now; anything from the basic French and fishtails to classy crown braids and plaited up do’s for evenings out on the town.”

They’re becoming so popular that well-known salons are specifically putting them on their services lists, and “Braid Bars” have been opening up nationwide, such as Nine Zero One in West Hollywood and John Barrett’s Braid Bar in New York City.

According to Barrett’s salon home page, he believes, “Hair should be a glamorous extension of who you are on the inside.”

For those who think they can tackle the braid at home, Cliff Freeman, a hair stylist and braid specialist at Maxine Salon on Rush, has a few helpful tips posted on the salon’s “MaxBlog.”

Here’s what Freeman recommends: practice, practice, practice. When doing it yourself, everything is in reverse, so take your time. Make sure you practice with a mirror.

Seek out a salon for more complex braids and stick with simple concepts for at-home braiding. Start off with a basic three-strand braid and then mess it up. Take out smaller pieces and then rub different sections of hair to give it a bit more texture. Most importantly, have fun with it.

Embellish your hair with a little festive flair. Adorn a simple braid with ornaments, jewels, feathers etc. to create a look that is stunningly your own.

Hoxha said, “As long as people want something convenient and like to look classy, braids will always be in style.”