In 2023, the hair bow rebrands itself

IF THERE’S one accessories trend that collectively scarred all 2000s kids, it was hair bows. If you were a teen or tween in the early 2010s, chances are you were besotted with those chunky, crisp hair bow clips that had Tumblr in a chokehold. Or perhaps, headbands and scarves, fashioned in a large bow at the front of the head, were more your thing (even Rihanna got in on the trend).

Regardless, it’s safe to say that for many of us, hair bows wouldn’t exactly conjure up the most fashionable of thoughts. So what if I told you they’re back for 2023?

Don’t panic just yet. Only a few months into 2023 and it seems 2023 has been the year of the rebrand — the most recent poster girl being Brie Larson at Cannes Film Festival. The side part has had a chic makeover, Uggs are considered cool and clogs have become a go-to shoe for every wannabe Scandi cool girl. In general, myriad trends that were once considered outdated — and perhaps a little bit tacky — have been given understated makeovers. This same sense of elevation is true of the hair bow.

If you tuned into the recent Met Gala, chances are you saw Emily Ratajkowski and Sydney Sweeney’s resplendent beauty looks. The shared element of each? A simple, black hair bow.

Captain Marvel herself, Brie Larson, even opted for one to tie together her CHANEL look at the Cannes Film Festival this past weekend.

What differentiates these bows from the trends of the last decade is their simplicity. They aren’t the main event, but rather a supporting act. They’re sizeable enough to add an extra something to the look, but not so flashy they take away from or feel incongruous with the outfit as a whole.

I don’t know about you, but the hairbows I owned circa 2014 were blocky and large, in shades of turquoise, coral and (forgive me) chevron print. This new take on the accessory is understated. It feels chic and sort of whispers, rather than screams to be looked at.

The Met Gala wasn’t the only place bows have been on display as of late. The recent autumn/winter shows saw the accessory omnipresent across the runways, with ribbons seen in the hair looks at Max Mara, Zimmermann, Dior and more. And then of course there’s been the love for Sandy Liang’s impossibly cool Recital Bows, which feature small, clipped bows at the head with a train of black or iris taffeta left to flow through the hair.

Given the recent shift in broader fashion trends, the return of the hair bow is not at all surprising. Online, the coquette aesthetic — think babydoll dresses, soft accessories and girlish accents — has been enjoying a revival. This style was popular during the hair bow’s initial reign, so as it has been updated, it’s natural one of its defining accessories has been given a modern upgrade, too.

We’ve also been looking to softer elegance more and more. The autumn/winter shows demonstrated designers’ newfound penchant for simplicity, and shows like Succession have piqued our interest in terms like ‘old money’ and ‘quiet luxury,’ which are underpinned by their understated approach to styling.

That’s not to say the trend is limited simply to black bows, either. A quick search in Pinterest will offer various hair ribbon inspiration, with users sporting silver bows tied at the back of their heads, white options woven through braids, or pink options hanging ponytails.

My favourite part of this look is that it’s attainable, too. In the contemporary fashion landscape, many trends centre around specific — often expensive — items. The fact that this style can be replicated with some $1 ribbon purchased at a craft store only makes it all the more worth trying.