diff --git a/Documentation/pretty-formats.txt b/Documentation/pretty-formats.txt
index 3b71334459..d38b4ab566 100644
--- a/Documentation/pretty-formats.txt
+++ b/Documentation/pretty-formats.txt
@@ -122,7 +122,9 @@ The placeholders are:
 - Placeholders that expand to a single literal character:
 '%n':: newline
 '%%':: a raw '%'
-'%x00':: print a byte from a hex code
+'%x00':: '%x' followed by two hexadecimal digits is replaced with a
+	 byte with the hexadecimal digits' value (we will call this
+	 "literal formatting code" in the rest of this document).
 
 - Placeholders that affect formatting of later placeholders:
 '%Cred':: switch color to red
@@ -222,13 +224,30 @@ The placeholders are:
 	linkgit:git-rev-list[1])
 '%d':: ref names, like the --decorate option of linkgit:git-log[1]
 '%D':: ref names without the " (", ")" wrapping.
-'%(describe[:options])':: human-readable name, like
-			  linkgit:git-describe[1]; empty string for
-			  undescribable commits.  The `describe` string
-			  may be followed by a colon and zero or more
-			  comma-separated options.  Descriptions can be
-			  inconsistent when tags are added or removed at
-			  the same time.
+'%(decorate[:<options>])'::
+ref names with custom decorations. The `decorate` string may be followed by a
+colon and zero or more comma-separated options. Option values may contain
+literal formatting codes. These must be used for commas (`%x2C`) and closing
+parentheses (`%x29`), due to their role in the option syntax.
++
+** 'prefix=<value>': Shown before the list of ref names.  Defaults to "{nbsp}`(`".
+** 'suffix=<value>': Shown after the list of ref names.  Defaults to "`)`".
+** 'separator=<value>': Shown between ref names.  Defaults to "`,`{nbsp}".
+** 'pointer=<value>': Shown between HEAD and the branch it points to, if any.
+		      Defaults to "{nbsp}`->`{nbsp}".
+** 'tag=<value>': Shown before tag names. Defaults to "`tag:`{nbsp}".
+
++
+For example, to produce decorations with no wrapping
+or tag annotations, and spaces as separators:
++
+`%(decorate:prefix=,suffix=,tag=,separator= )`
+
+'%(describe[:<options>])'::
+human-readable name, like linkgit:git-describe[1]; empty string for
+undescribable commits.  The `describe` string may be followed by a colon and
+zero or more comma-separated options.  Descriptions can be inconsistent when
+tags are added or removed at the same time.
 +
 ** 'tags[=<bool-value>]': Instead of only considering annotated tags,
    consider lightweight tags as well.
@@ -281,13 +300,11 @@ endif::git-rev-list[]
 '%gE':: reflog identity email (respecting .mailmap, see
 	linkgit:git-shortlog[1] or linkgit:git-blame[1])
 '%gs':: reflog subject
-'%(trailers[:options])':: display the trailers of the body as
-			  interpreted by
-			  linkgit:git-interpret-trailers[1]. The
-			  `trailers` string may be followed by a colon
-			  and zero or more comma-separated options.
-			  If any option is provided multiple times the
-			  last occurrence wins.
+'%(trailers[:<options>])'::
+display the trailers of the body as interpreted by
+linkgit:git-interpret-trailers[1]. The `trailers` string may be followed by
+a colon and zero or more comma-separated options. If any option is provided
+multiple times, the last occurrence wins.
 +
 ** 'key=<key>': only show trailers with specified <key>. Matching is done
    case-insensitively and trailing colon is optional. If option is
diff --git a/log-tree.c b/log-tree.c
index 208c69cbb7..504da6b519 100644
--- a/log-tree.c
+++ b/log-tree.c
@@ -303,26 +303,43 @@ static void show_name(struct strbuf *sb, const struct name_decoration *decoratio
 
 /*
  * The caller makes sure there is no funny color before calling.
- * format_decorations_extended makes sure the same after return.
+ * format_decorations ensures the same after return.
  */
-void format_decorations_extended(struct strbuf *sb,
+void format_decorations(struct strbuf *sb,
 			const struct commit *commit,
 			int use_color,
-			const char *prefix,
-			const char *separator,
-			const char *suffix)
+			const struct decoration_options *opts)
 {
 	const struct name_decoration *decoration;
 	const struct name_decoration *current_and_HEAD;
-	const char *color_commit =
-		diff_get_color(use_color, DIFF_COMMIT);
-	const char *color_reset =
-		decorate_get_color(use_color, DECORATION_NONE);
+	const char *color_commit, *color_reset;
+
+	const char *prefix = " (";
+	const char *suffix = ")";
+	const char *separator = ", ";
+	const char *pointer = " -> ";
+	const char *tag = "tag: ";
 
 	decoration = get_name_decoration(&commit->object);
 	if (!decoration)
 		return;
 
+	if (opts) {
+		if (opts->prefix)
+			prefix = opts->prefix;
+		if (opts->suffix)
+			suffix = opts->suffix;
+		if (opts->separator)
+			separator = opts->separator;
+		if (opts->pointer)
+			pointer = opts->pointer;
+		if (opts->tag)
+			tag = opts->tag;
+	}
+
+	color_commit = diff_get_color(use_color, DIFF_COMMIT);
+	color_reset = decorate_get_color(use_color, DECORATION_NONE);
+
 	current_and_HEAD = current_pointed_by_HEAD(decoration);
 	while (decoration) {
 		/*
@@ -331,31 +348,44 @@ void format_decorations_extended(struct strbuf *sb,
 		 * appeared, skipping the entry for current.
 		 */
 		if (decoration != current_and_HEAD) {
-			strbuf_addstr(sb, color_commit);
-			strbuf_addstr(sb, prefix);
-			strbuf_addstr(sb, color_reset);
-			strbuf_addstr(sb, decorate_get_color(use_color, decoration->type));
-			if (decoration->type == DECORATION_REF_TAG)
-				strbuf_addstr(sb, "tag: ");
+			const char *color =
+				decorate_get_color(use_color, decoration->type);
 
+			if (*prefix) {
+				strbuf_addstr(sb, color_commit);
+				strbuf_addstr(sb, prefix);
+				strbuf_addstr(sb, color_reset);
+			}
+
+			if (*tag && decoration->type == DECORATION_REF_TAG) {
+				strbuf_addstr(sb, color);
+				strbuf_addstr(sb, tag);
+				strbuf_addstr(sb, color_reset);
+			}
+
+			strbuf_addstr(sb, color);
 			show_name(sb, decoration);
+			strbuf_addstr(sb, color_reset);
 
 			if (current_and_HEAD &&
 			    decoration->type == DECORATION_REF_HEAD) {
-				strbuf_addstr(sb, " -> ");
+				strbuf_addstr(sb, color_commit);
+				strbuf_addstr(sb, pointer);
 				strbuf_addstr(sb, color_reset);
 				strbuf_addstr(sb, decorate_get_color(use_color, current_and_HEAD->type));
 				show_name(sb, current_and_HEAD);
+				strbuf_addstr(sb, color_reset);
 			}
-			strbuf_addstr(sb, color_reset);
 
 			prefix = separator;
 		}
 		decoration = decoration->next;
 	}
-	strbuf_addstr(sb, color_commit);
-	strbuf_addstr(sb, suffix);
-	strbuf_addstr(sb, color_reset);
+	if (*suffix) {
+		strbuf_addstr(sb, color_commit);
+		strbuf_addstr(sb, suffix);
+		strbuf_addstr(sb, color_reset);
+	}
 }
 
 void show_decorations(struct rev_info *opt, struct commit *commit)
@@ -370,7 +400,7 @@ void show_decorations(struct rev_info *opt, struct commit *commit)
 	}
 	if (!opt->show_decorations)
 		return;
-	format_decorations(&sb, commit, opt->diffopt.use_color);
+	format_decorations(&sb, commit, opt->diffopt.use_color, NULL);
 	fputs(sb.buf, opt->diffopt.file);
 	strbuf_release(&sb);
 }
diff --git a/log-tree.h b/log-tree.h
index bdb6432815..41c776fea5 100644
--- a/log-tree.h
+++ b/log-tree.h
@@ -13,17 +13,20 @@ struct decoration_filter {
 	struct string_list *exclude_ref_config_pattern;
 };
 
+struct decoration_options {
+	char *prefix;
+	char *suffix;
+	char *separator;
+	char *pointer;
+	char *tag;
+};
+
 int parse_decorate_color_config(const char *var, const char *slot_name, const char *value);
 int log_tree_diff_flush(struct rev_info *);
 int log_tree_commit(struct rev_info *, struct commit *);
 void show_log(struct rev_info *opt);
-void format_decorations_extended(struct strbuf *sb, const struct commit *commit,
-			     int use_color,
-			     const char *prefix,
-			     const char *separator,
-			     const char *suffix);
-#define format_decorations(strbuf, commit, color) \
-			     format_decorations_extended((strbuf), (commit), (color), " (", ", ", ")")
+void format_decorations(struct strbuf *sb, const struct commit *commit,
+			int use_color, const struct decoration_options *opts);
 void show_decorations(struct rev_info *opt, struct commit *commit);
 void log_write_email_headers(struct rev_info *opt, struct commit *commit,
 			     const char **extra_headers_p,
diff --git a/pretty.c b/pretty.c
index 718530bbab..7f3abb676c 100644
--- a/pretty.c
+++ b/pretty.c
@@ -1252,8 +1252,8 @@ static int format_trailer_match_cb(const struct strbuf *key, void *ud)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static struct strbuf *expand_separator(struct strbuf *sb,
-				       const char *argval, size_t arglen)
+static struct strbuf *expand_string_arg(struct strbuf *sb,
+					const char *argval, size_t arglen)
 {
 	char *fmt = xstrndup(argval, arglen);
 	const char *format = fmt;
@@ -1301,9 +1301,9 @@ int format_set_trailers_options(struct process_trailer_options *opts,
 			opts->filter_data = filter_list;
 			opts->only_trailers = 1;
 		} else if (match_placeholder_arg_value(*arg, "separator", arg, &argval, &arglen)) {
-			opts->separator = expand_separator(sepbuf, argval, arglen);
+			opts->separator = expand_string_arg(sepbuf, argval, arglen);
 		} else if (match_placeholder_arg_value(*arg, "key_value_separator", arg, &argval, &arglen)) {
-			opts->key_value_separator = expand_separator(kvsepbuf, argval, arglen);
+			opts->key_value_separator = expand_string_arg(kvsepbuf, argval, arglen);
 		} else if (!match_placeholder_bool_arg(*arg, "only", arg, &opts->only_trailers) &&
 			   !match_placeholder_bool_arg(*arg, "unfold", arg, &opts->unfold) &&
 			   !match_placeholder_bool_arg(*arg, "keyonly", arg, &opts->key_only) &&
@@ -1384,6 +1384,44 @@ static size_t parse_describe_args(const char *start, struct strvec *args)
 	return arg - start;
 }
 
+
+static int parse_decoration_option(const char **arg,
+				   const char *name,
+				   char **opt)
+{
+	const char *argval;
+	size_t arglen;
+
+	if (match_placeholder_arg_value(*arg, name, arg, &argval, &arglen)) {
+		struct strbuf sb = STRBUF_INIT;
+
+		expand_string_arg(&sb, argval, arglen);
+		*opt = strbuf_detach(&sb, NULL);
+		return 1;
+	}
+	return 0;
+}
+
+static void parse_decoration_options(const char **arg,
+				     struct decoration_options *opts)
+{
+	while (parse_decoration_option(arg, "prefix", &opts->prefix) ||
+	       parse_decoration_option(arg, "suffix", &opts->suffix) ||
+	       parse_decoration_option(arg, "separator", &opts->separator) ||
+	       parse_decoration_option(arg, "pointer", &opts->pointer) ||
+	       parse_decoration_option(arg, "tag", &opts->tag))
+		;
+}
+
+static void free_decoration_options(const struct decoration_options *opts)
+{
+	free(opts->prefix);
+	free(opts->suffix);
+	free(opts->separator);
+	free(opts->pointer);
+	free(opts->tag);
+}
+
 static size_t format_commit_one(struct strbuf *sb, /* in UTF-8 */
 				const char *placeholder,
 				void *context)
@@ -1537,11 +1575,18 @@ static size_t format_commit_one(struct strbuf *sb, /* in UTF-8 */
 		strbuf_addstr(sb, get_revision_mark(NULL, commit));
 		return 1;
 	case 'd':
-		format_decorations(sb, commit, c->auto_color);
+		format_decorations(sb, commit, c->auto_color, NULL);
 		return 1;
 	case 'D':
-		format_decorations_extended(sb, commit, c->auto_color, "", ", ", "");
-		return 1;
+		{
+			const struct decoration_options opts = {
+				.prefix = "",
+				.suffix = ""
+			};
+
+			format_decorations(sb, commit, c->auto_color, &opts);
+			return 1;
+		}
 	case 'S':		/* tag/branch like --source */
 		if (!(c->pretty_ctx->rev && c->pretty_ctx->rev->sources))
 			return 0;
@@ -1638,6 +1683,23 @@ static size_t format_commit_one(struct strbuf *sb, /* in UTF-8 */
 		return 2;
 	}
 
+	if (skip_prefix(placeholder, "(decorate", &arg)) {
+		struct decoration_options opts = { NULL };
+		size_t ret = 0;
+
+		if (*arg == ':') {
+			arg++;
+			parse_decoration_options(&arg, &opts);
+		}
+		if (*arg == ')') {
+			format_decorations(sb, commit, c->auto_color, &opts);
+			ret = arg - placeholder + 1;
+		}
+
+		free_decoration_options(&opts);
+		return ret;
+	}
+
 	/* For the rest we have to parse the commit header. */
 	if (!c->commit_header_parsed) {
 		msg = c->message =
diff --git a/t/t4205-log-pretty-formats.sh b/t/t4205-log-pretty-formats.sh
index dd9035aa38..16626e4fe9 100755
--- a/t/t4205-log-pretty-formats.sh
+++ b/t/t4205-log-pretty-formats.sh
@@ -576,6 +576,38 @@ test_expect_success 'clean log decoration' '
 	test_cmp expected actual1
 '
 
+test_expect_success 'pretty format %decorate' '
+	git checkout -b foo &&
+	git commit --allow-empty -m "new commit" &&
+	git tag bar &&
+	git branch qux &&
+
+	echo " (HEAD -> foo, tag: bar, qux)" >expect1 &&
+	git log --format="%(decorate)" -1 >actual1 &&
+	test_cmp expect1 actual1 &&
+
+	echo "HEAD -> foo, tag: bar, qux" >expect2 &&
+	git log --format="%(decorate:prefix=,suffix=)" -1 >actual2 &&
+	test_cmp expect2 actual2 &&
+
+	echo "[ HEAD -> foo; tag: bar; qux ]" >expect3 &&
+	git log --format="%(decorate:prefix=[ ,suffix= ],separator=%x3B )" \
+		-1 >actual3 &&
+	test_cmp expect3 actual3 &&
+
+	# Try with a typo (in "separator"), in which case the placeholder should
+	# not be replaced.
+	echo "%(decorate:prefix=[ ,suffix= ],separater=; )" >expect4 &&
+	git log --format="%(decorate:prefix=[ ,suffix= ],separater=%x3B )" \
+		-1 >actual4 &&
+	test_cmp expect4 actual4 &&
+
+	echo "HEAD->foo bar qux" >expect5 &&
+	git log --format="%(decorate:prefix=,suffix=,separator= ,tag=,pointer=->)" \
+		-1 >actual5 &&
+	test_cmp expect5 actual5
+'
+
 cat >trailers <<EOF
 Signed-off-by: A U Thor <author@example.com>
 Acked-by: A U Thor <author@example.com>
diff --git a/t/t4207-log-decoration-colors.sh b/t/t4207-log-decoration-colors.sh
index ded33a82e2..21986a866d 100755
--- a/t/t4207-log-decoration-colors.sh
+++ b/t/t4207-log-decoration-colors.sh
@@ -53,15 +53,17 @@ cmp_filtered_decorations () {
 # to this test since it does not contain any decoration, hence --first-parent
 test_expect_success 'commit decorations colored correctly' '
 	cat >expect <<-EOF &&
-	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_HEAD}HEAD -> \
-${c_reset}${c_branch}main${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
-${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: v1.0${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
-${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: B${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} B
-${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: A1${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
+	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_HEAD}HEAD${c_reset}\
+${c_commit} -> ${c_reset}${c_branch}main${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
+${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: ${c_reset}${c_tag}v1.0${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
+${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: ${c_reset}${c_tag}B${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} B
+${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}\
+${c_tag}tag: ${c_reset}${c_tag}A1${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
 ${c_reset}${c_remoteBranch}other/main${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} A1
-	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_stash}refs/stash${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} \
-On main: Changes to A.t
-	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: A${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} A
+	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}\
+${c_stash}refs/stash${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} On main: Changes to A.t
+	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}\
+${c_tag}tag: ${c_reset}${c_tag}A${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} A
 	EOF
 
 	git log --first-parent --no-abbrev --decorate --oneline --color=always --all >actual &&
@@ -76,12 +78,14 @@ test_expect_success 'test coloring with replace-objects' '
 	git replace HEAD~1 HEAD~2 &&
 
 	cat >expect <<-EOF &&
-	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_HEAD}HEAD -> \
-${c_reset}${c_branch}main${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
-${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: D${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} D
-	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: C${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
+	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_HEAD}HEAD${c_reset}\
+${c_commit} -> ${c_reset}${c_branch}main${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
+${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: ${c_reset}${c_tag}D${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} D
+	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}\
+${c_tag}tag: ${c_reset}${c_tag}C${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
 ${c_reset}${c_grafted}replaced${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} B
-	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: A${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} A
+	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}\
+${c_tag}tag: ${c_reset}${c_tag}A${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} A
 EOF
 
 	git log --first-parent --no-abbrev --decorate --oneline --color=always HEAD >actual &&
@@ -100,13 +104,15 @@ test_expect_success 'test coloring with grafted commit' '
 	git replace --graft HEAD HEAD~2 &&
 
 	cat >expect <<-EOF &&
-	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_HEAD}HEAD -> \
-${c_reset}${c_branch}main${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
-${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: D${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
+	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_HEAD}HEAD${c_reset}\
+${c_commit} -> ${c_reset}${c_branch}main${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
+${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: ${c_reset}${c_tag}D${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
 ${c_reset}${c_grafted}replaced${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} D
-	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: v1.0${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
-${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: B${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} B
-	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: A${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} A
+	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}\
+${c_tag}tag: ${c_reset}${c_tag}v1.0${c_reset}${c_commit}, \
+${c_reset}${c_tag}tag: ${c_reset}${c_tag}B${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} B
+	${c_commit}COMMIT_ID${c_reset}${c_commit} (${c_reset}\
+${c_tag}tag: ${c_reset}${c_tag}A${c_reset}${c_commit})${c_reset} A
 	EOF
 
 	git log --first-parent --no-abbrev --decorate --oneline --color=always HEAD >actual &&