After a successful domination in 2023, the bow trend is showing no signs of slowing down in 2024.
Fashion trends often come full circle, and the bows that made waves in 2023 may be bigger in 2024. With styles from the past returning triumphantly to the industry’s forefront, bows continue its winning streak.
A prominent feature this year is the return of bows. These whimsical and feminine decorations reappear in contemporary style, injecting a hint of nostalgia into the wardrobes of fashion lovers worldwide.
Bows, once symbols of past elegance, are now undergoing a revival that captures the attention of designers, fashion enthusiasts, and content creators. Whether on runways, the collections of fashion-forward brands, or even the viral world of TikTok, bows are everywhere—adorning not just clothing and accessories but also pets, food, and various quirky items, making a stylish yet unconventional statement, and gaining momentum into 2024.
Over the last two years, fashion has welcomed feminine and childhood themes. Starting with cottagecore in 2020, followed by a ballet-inspired look in 2022, and the fascination with Barbie in 2023, there has been a discernible shift towards nostalgic and youthful styles.
The fall/winter 2023 fashion week trends also reflected this, focusing on elements that bring back childhood memories. And, the bow trend, known on TikTok as “coquette,” stands out, taking on an even more playful look and spotlighting the use of clothes and clothing elements like ribbons to evoke a childlike feeling.
For example, Sandy Liang, has consistently incorporated bows into her fashion designs since her debut, drawing inspiration from childhood favorites like Polly Pocket and Disney princesses. In her recent collections showcased at New York Fashion Week, she featured bows inspired by Sailor Moon.
Her spring collection includes bows on skirts, corsets, and silky button-downs. Liang also added satin bows to hair accessories, providing a stylish touch for girls in New York City to decorate their ponytails and braids. Several other designers, such as Carolina Herrera, Khaite, Coach, and Saint Sintra, have also embraced the bow trend.
Simone Rocha, known for her fondness for bows, took a unique approach by placing bows on models’ faces during a runway show. These bows were positioned above or below their eyes, creating a tear-like effect with ribbons.
Photo: Imaxtree Bows aren’t just for fancy fashion shows; they’re a big hit on TikTok too! Especially among people who love the “girly goth” style, many have been wearing bows since last summer. Big brands like Motel and Urban Outfitters are adding bows to everyday clothes like blazers and cut-out tops. Even smaller brands like Bye Bambi are joining in, creating cute pink bow prints for their super-short skirts.
Getting lots of views on TikTok is as easy as using your phone and jumping on the trend with something like a “bow” of chicken or whatever you like wrapped in a fancy ribbon. Right now, the TikTok hashtag #coquette has more than 14.6 billion views, according to Forbes. Many of the most-watched videos are part of the coquette bow trend, and the most liked one shows a person wrapping a pink bow around their middle finger, getting nearly 6 million likes.
@rachellliang who wants a miffy middle finger nail 😍🥰🥰🥰 #coquette #pinkpilatesprincess #coquettecore ♬ original sound – ⭐️
It all began slowly on TikTok. Small bows became popular on camisoles, then migrated to hairstyles—tied at the end of braids or clipped in fanciful ways. Bows extended to accessories like headphones and purses.
Cord chokers were traded for silky ribbons. Brands caught on, creating jewelry with bow designs, such as Sandy Liang’s earrings that quickly sold out. Finally, bows found their place on our clothes and, during the recent Fashion Month, even became part of our beauty routines.
As fashion continues to change, the return of bows reflects the cyclical nature of trends and the enduring charm of certain aesthetic elements. Bows, whether worn subtly or boldly, have become more than a passing trend; they now symbolize a blend of past influences with a contemporary twist.
What makes this trend even more captivating is the widespread popularity of users garnering millions of likes by adorning their pets, such as a rottweiler, poodle, ice cream, and even a chicken, with pink bows.
However, the creativity extends to more unexpected items; users have tied ribbons to gym equipment, jars of pickles, melting ice cubes, and, intriguingly, one user even placed a bow on a letter of resignation submitted to her employer.
The convergence of various “girl” TikTok trends is evident as users humorously incorporate pink bows into their meals, creating satirical dishes like a cereal bowl filled with pink bows or pink bows on toast, declaring these coquette bows to be their “girl dinner.
Photo: Getty / Victor VIRGILE Celebrities for sure, are undeniably not missing out on the bow trend, as well. From Chloë Sevigny, and Kiernan Shipka, to Jennifer Lopez, just to name a few have all rocked the bow trend. If you pay good attention to red-carpet fashion and fashion shows, you’d remember Blackpink’s Jennie’s obsession with bow-inspired hairstyles — from the Chanel Fall/Winter 2022 show to the Jacquemus Spring 2023 show and during the Cannes 2023 Film Festival.
Even Hailey Bieber, typically opting for a minimal look, even experimented with a girly hair bow, and not to miss out Sarah Jessica Parker who has also given the bow trend her nod of approval.
The Bow Trend for 2024
Bows have become a standout element on TikTok and fashion shows in the past year, pushing the boundaries of aesthetical detailing on apparel. This whimsical trend is undeniably one of the defining styles of the season, and signs indicate it will continue to dominate in the year 2024.
The coquettish trend has simplified various levels of styling; after all, what better way to make something ordinary or even slightly upsetting feel more pleasant than by adding a charming bow? With the fashion industry officially entering its “Bow Era,” the cutesy trend is here to stay, influencing hairstyles, makeup, clothing, and everything in between.
Photo Credit: Instagram / Camarihewie
