The Bow Evolves
We’ll never run out of ways to wear ‘em.
Did the ballet-core ribbon trend go out of hand when we started tying them onto ice cubes? Ribbons and bows were popularized in 2022 when runway designers began adding statement bows to their pieces. Sure enough, TikTok caught up, and 2023 was overflowing with coquette style: in hair, on bags, water bottles, headphones, jackets, socks, shoes, and even as tattoos. It seemed bows were being worn in every possible way. But Spring/Summer 2024 NYFW brought even more creativity with bows, like Simone Rocha’s ribbon makeup or Sandy Liang’s draped bow bags.
Bows have always been around though, being commonly worn as far back as the 17th century. The accessory was also popular in subcultures like gothic/lolita fashion or in Vivienne Westwood’s rococo designs. But bows have never taken the spotlight the way they have now. The ribbon has become a very intentional expression of hyper-femininity and a symbol of reclaiming our “girl-hood”. 2023 was the year for us girls, from Barbiecore to balletcore, Beyonce’s Renaissance Tour and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, girl-dinner to girl-math, and the bow tied it all together.
The trend is oversaturated, however, and some believe it’s come too far: satirical videos online show people putting bows on ice cubes, toilet paper, and pickles. The bow fad was even compared to the millennial mustache trend on Culted, suggesting we might one day gag at the accessory and wonder why we ever wore it. Yet unlike the millennial mustache, the bow’s history and symbolism give it a sense of timelessness. Whether it’s timeless or a trend, fashion experts say the bow will not be leaving us anytime soon. The trend will only evolve this 2024, as people become even more creative with styling the bow.
As an ode to coquette-core, here are some of the most creative ways we’ve seen the ribbon tied: Sinead Gorey put mini bows on nails and toenails. Aniye Records strategically placed ribbons as nipple covers. We’re obsessed with Romina Montserrat’s frilly cake-layered Spring/Summer ‘24 collection. And no one does ribbon quite like Simone Rocha, as seen in collabs with H&M or JPG. Yuichi Yang’s Spring/Summer ‘22 collection took us by delighted surprise through their maximalist designs. And a personal fave, Paloma Wool came out with gorgeous iridescent ribbon earrings that I’d love to get my hands on.
While it seems the trend’s been incorporated in every way possible, there is no end to people’s creativity in this Ribbonaissance.
Photographed by: Amanda DiMaio