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Fashion Times

Lifestyle

Cordelia Tai

These Dramatic Bows Have Us Completely Sold on Fashion's Current Reigning Hair Trend

Sandy Liang Bergdorf Goodman Free People Launchmetrics Simone Rocha (Person) Neiman Marcus

Hair bows have become a beloved street style staple. (Credit: Courtesy of Launchmetrics Spotlight)

It's official: we've reached peak bow. They're everywhere. As omnipresent a hair, clothing, shoe, handbag, even facial decoration as they are an element of gift wrapping. With that in mind, for the purpose of this article, we're going to focus on the hair category or else we'd be here all day.

Another (street style) way to wear the trend. (Credit: Courtesy of Launchmetrics Spotlight)

Sandy Liang and Simone Rocha, arguably the preeminent promoters of the bow trend, have been showcasing the accessory's versatility for some time now. At the former's Fall 2023 presentation, select models had long, perfect blowouts dotted with tiny, precise bows. Others wore supersized, Pollyanna-style statement ribbons with long, flowing tails that descended well below their lower backs, calling to mind wedding veils. Another handful had tied, ironed-flat, footlong ribbons pinned just above their ears, perhaps the most "wearable" take on the trend.

Useful for holding pigtails in place. (Credit: Courtesy of Launchmetrics Spotlight)

At Simone Rocha Fall 2023, in addition to the "bow tears" — tiny, tied, red ribbons placed below models' eyes — one model's hair was itself fashioned into gravity-defying, tightly-woven braids that formed a heap of makeshift bows on her crown. For Spring 2024, the London-based designer presented her take on Elizabethan cauls. Mesh with mini ribbons scattered all over, of course.

A more haphazard approach. (Credit: Courtesy of Launchmetrics Spotlight)

Unsurprisingly, statement hair ribbons were all the rage among Spring 2024 showgoers. (#Influenced.) Some knotted black grosgrain or velvet bows at the ends of tightly woven pigtails or the base of slicked-back ponytails. Others did the scattered mini-bows look on waves, braids and blowouts alike. One tried out Liang's twinning behind-the-ear tuxedo ribbons (or a knockoff pair?). Another gathered her half updo with an embellished barrette from Jennifer Behr's coveted line. We haven't seen too many bowed headbands, yet, but given their prevalence on the market, their one and done-ness and fashion's apparent raring nostalgia, we imagine there'll be more.

Which brings us to our next point. Why the ribbon-aissance? Why now? It seems the balletcore, coquettecore, regencycore and prairiecore aesthetics all converged and brought us to this point in hair accessorizing. Fashion girls are reclaiming their power, rebranding and embracing hyperfemininity. Think Barbie, think Renaissance. We're taking a page out of the stylebook of Time Person of the Year Taylor Swift and giving our inner 13-year-old a makeover, updating her awkward 80s barrettes, her Blair Waldorf-worthy headbands, her schoolgirl ribbons.

The more, the merrier. (Credit: Courtesy of Launchmetrics Spotlight)

Also, bows are super accessible. Especially this time of year. Here's a quick, money-saving hack. Pluck the ribbon off your most prettily packaged present and knot it around your ponytail for a look that's feminine and fierce.

Or treat yourself to a new and extremely fun hair accessory. We've rounded up some of our favorites below. With clips, pins, scrunchies, barrettes and headbands done in velvet, organza, silk, denim, taffeta and more and price points that range from $10 to $478 (for an entirely crystal barrette by the aforementioned Behr), there's truly something for everyone.

And remember, a polished, shiny coif is key for keeping your infantilizing hair accessory looking cool and grown-up. This is no throw-on-and-go item.