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Wrap it up with a bow. That seems to be the reigning thought for celebrity hairstylists for the 2024 award show season, where we’ve seen hair bows for women perch on ponytails and bedeck textured buns up and down the red carpets. Whether it’s a repurposed ribbon or structured velvet, one thing is clear: We’ll be wearing bows in our hair in 2024.
As for the way you wear them, a quick look at recent red carpets shows us that it’s entirely up to you. Take the Golden Globes for example. Kate Beckinsale’s Barbie-style ponytail featured a smattering of miniature bows; a look created by hairstylist Scott King. For an understated, elegant effect, hairstylist Bridget Brager situated a bow snugly under Allison Williams’ textured updo. Hairstylist Brian Fisher aimed high with Zoe Lister-Jones’ look, fixing a big silky bow at the peak of the actress and filmmaker’s pulled-back bob, a flourish that balanced out the asymmetrical neckline and pattern of her Magda Butrym dress. Others took their hair bows in a bold direction. Hairstylist Danielle Priano placed a cardinal red double-layered bow in Rachel Brosnahan’s sleek pony, coordinating with the actress’s Sergio Hudson gown.
Allison Williams, Rachel Brosnahan, and Zoe Lister-Jones wear bows in various textures, colors, and positions at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic; Jon Kopaloff/WireImage
While we saw slicked-back hair looks with bows at the Globes, half-up half-down hairstyles were the canvas of choice for women’s hair bows at the Critics Choice Awards and the Emmy Awards. Hairstylist Clayton Hawkins completed Ali Wong’s soft waves with a Jennifer Behr bow for the Critics Choice Awards. For the Emmys, hairstylist Gregory Russell topped off Riley Keough’s look with an oversized Lelet NY hair bow, while Lisa Ann Walter wore a tiny bow with her ’60s-style ‘do.
Ali Wong wears a Jennifer Behr bow to the 2024 Critics Choice Awards; Riley Keough in a Lelet NY hair bow at the Emmy Awards.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Of course, the red carpet isn’t the only place to look for women’s hair bow inspiration. At recent fashion weeks, these hair accessories have pervaded runways and street style in all their forms. Sandy Liang, a force behind the resurgence of the coquette trend (which has 16 billion views on TikTok — and counting), sent models down fall 2023 runways with miniature bows scattered on sleek ‘dos, playing up the femininity of the collection. Mini bows made more appearances on spring 2024 runways, notably on beaded headpieces (and bodysuits and manicures) in Simone Rocha’s collection. Right on beat with TikTok’s ‘balletcore’ trend, pastel pink ribbons were embedded in updos at Christian Siriano’s spring 2024 show, while guys and girls walking for Collina Strada had trails of gauzy ribbons draped throughout their hair.
Models accessorized with bows at Alice + Olivia and Simone Rocha spring 2024 shows.
Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images; Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images; Tristan Fewings/BFC/Getty Images
The street style set has made quick work of embracing the hair bow in all of its forms, whether it’s Lilliputian bows à la Sandy Liang, gauzy ribbons, or bow-shaped hair barrettes. Tastemakers like Elsa Hosk, Leonne Hanne, Hailey Bieber — the list goes on — are incorporating hair bows in looks that range from cutesy to cool, teaming these accessories with everything from leather jackets to cozy sweaters and summery frocks.
Because of the variation in size, materials, and shapes, hair bows aren’t just friendly for various hairstyles, but also any texture, length, and thickness. Yes, you can place them in a carefully crafted updo for a special event, however these accessories are just as statement-making on a slicked back ponytail (or better yet, a ballerina bun) between wash days. Splurge on a designer hair accessory or DIY it with silk ribbon from Amazon — either way, the trick for a statement hair look in 2024 might just be to put a bow on it.
The street style set embracing the bow trend during 2023 fashion weeks around the globe.
Christian Vierig/Getty Images; Edward Berthelot/Getty Images; Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images
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Top Hair Bows of 2024
J.Crew Oversized Satin Bow Clip
A cream bow wears casual on blonde hair and bold on darker strands; J.Crew’s features a snap closure that looks ultra cute in a half-up, half-down hair look.
Price upon publish date of this article: $29.50
L. Erickson Long Tail Bow Barrette
Trailing tails turn any hairstyle into a statement with L. Erickson’s bow, which is created with investment-worthy silk charmeuse material.
Price upon publish date of this article: $150
Jennifer Behr Velvet Bow Barrette
Jennifer Behr’s bows make repeat appearances on red carpets — the brand’s designs were worn by celebs like Sarah Snook and Rachel Brosnahan at the 2024 Golden Globes. This luxurious velvet option became a bestseller shortly after the brand launched in 2005 and remains in demand today.
Price upon publish date of this article: $128
Aileam Silky Bow Set
Surprisingly sturdy for the price, these Aileam bows feature two layers of ribbon per bow to make a bold statement.
Price upon publish date of this article: $7.88
Lelet NY Amy Rosette Bow
The sheer trend is still going strong, so why not cycle it into your hair look? This Lelet NY hair bow features a gauzy rosette that serves as a chic focal point when you nestle it in your hair.
Price upon publish date of this article: $190
Shashi Amy Rosette Hair Bows
An elegant take on the coquette trend, this 2-piece set of bows from Shashi features clip backs you can situate in a ponytail or near your money pieces.
Price upon publish date of this article: $88
Anthropologie Small Velvet Bow Clips
Take a textural — and colorful! — approach to the hair bow trend with this set of 10 velvet bows from Anthropologie. Choose from two sets: One includes bows in a mix of pinks, mauves, and reds, with the other in black, grey, blue, and green.
Price upon publish date of this article: $24
Jennifer Behr Mabel Bow Barrette
Long hair, don’t care? Go with Jennifer Behr’s Mabel Bow Barrette, which falls past the shoulders for a luxury look.
Price upon publish date of this article: $168
Lelet NY Sasha Bow
Seeking out something more structural than ribbon? Go with Lelet NY’s handmade Sasha Bow that’s covered in crystals.
Price upon publish date of this article: $148
Emi Jay Bow Barette
Emi Jay is a crowd favorite hair accessory brand — this bow barrette, though delicate, keeps its shape and structure after multiple wears.
Price upon publish date of this article: $16
Lele Sadoughi Swiss Dot Sheer Bow Barrette
Looking for a bridal hair bow? Lele Sadoughi has you covered with this Swiss Dot Sheer Bow Barrette, which has a non-slip barrette closure to keep your locks locked down.
Price upon publish date of this article: $49
Urban Outfitters Satin Bow Hair Pins
Use a flat iron to straighten your hair, then scatter these Urban Outfitters Satin Bow Hair Pins from roots to tips — you’ll have the coolest hair look in the room.
Price upon publish date of this article: $14
History of Hair Bows Trends
Madonna wears a red hair bow in 1984; Claudia Schiffer walks Chanel’s fall 1995 runway with a trio of bows on the lengths of her ponytail.
Michael Putland/Getty Images; Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Celebrities and tastemakers are breathing new life into women’s hair bows for 2024, however these accessories have long been a fixture in beauty (the Metropolitan Museum of Art has a set of Sumerian hair ribbons that date back to 2600-2500 BC). From the start, their purpose was likely a practical one: To keep hair away from the face. Fast forward to the 18th century, and bows had transformed into true accessories — and valuable ones at that. Marie Antoinette’s hairdresser was rumored to spend 20,000 francs acquiring bows for the Queen.
Throughout the 20th century, hair bows made appearances in pop culture and on runways in various forms. Take Judy Garland in the “Wizard of Oz” or Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind” — both heroines sported bows, pushing forward bows as motifs for femininity, innocence, and girlhood.
While these accessories are still a mainstay for young girls, fashion houses and celebrities began to dust off the girlish reputation of the hair bow by the ’80s. Chanel’s fall 1980 show featured a model with three silky bows pinned in the hair — a prim, preppy look we’re seeing reinterpreted today. Dior positioned bows as a polished accessory for sophisticated women, pairing oversized bows with tailored suiting on fall 1983 runways. In the same decade, Madonna took hair bows in a different direction, teaming the accessory with her lace tops, stacks of bracelets, and smudged out eye looks. These punky ensembles injected a healthy dose of sexy edge into the formerly feminine accessory.
The hair bow continued to weather trend cycles from the ’90s (seen on Chanel’s fall 1995 runway) to the aughts (notably Dior and Valentino fall 2005 runways) and well into the 2010s. But how we’re wearing them — be it as a sweet flourish or a subversive motif — shows that simple ribbon has more to it than meets the eye.
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Meet the Author
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands. Sullivan has researched beauty trends for over six years, and her industry knowledge informed the product selections on this list.
