Originally published: November 14, 2023
One fashion trend that I am extremely excited about seeing this winter are BOWS! Ribbons in fashion have seen an uptick in popularity and subsequently bows. Dainty, feminine, ribbons, or chunkier cotton and ribbed, there are so many ways to style bows in these chilly months.
Hey! Before we continue on our bowscapade- the Palestinian people of Gaza are still suffering at the hands of the Israeli government. Consider donating to any of the charities in this graphic:
The people of Gaza are having a hard time receiving aid, as it’s being blocked by Israel, so please remember to call your representatives and urge them to support a ceasefire. The people of Gaza deserve our support as they continue to face a genocide by the Israeli government.
Bows are one of the more popular accessory trends for winter. According to a post by databutmakeitfashion ribbons have received a 20% increase in popularity compared to a month prior from November 7th.
So what is it about bows that have made them so popular? As with most fashion trends they don’t exist in a vacuum. There’s an argument to be had about whether the regular consumer really has a say in determining trends, or if there’s just the consumption of whatever version of the runway has reached the racks, ala Devil Wear’s Prada cerulean. However, some have theorized that the interest in feminine details like bows may be a more escapist response to the increasingly alarming state of the world; and I agree. Although there’s always been major world events taking place, the hyperawareness of so many negative events worldwide thanks to the internet has an unfortunate side effect of increasing public anxiety.
Whether it’s a response to a perception of more dystopian times; a celebration of feminine style; or just a fun way to feel cutesy and festive this winter, check below for ways you can incorporate bows into your style this season and beyond! (Photos found from Pinterest/commerce sites)
Shoes
Who doesn’t love a good classic bow on a pair of ballet flats? There’s not many items that scream more girly than bows on flats. A pair of Steve Madden pointed toe flats featuring a sparkly bow are some of my favorites to wear to work in the winter. I can’t wait to dress them up for a Christmas or New Year’s event this year!
Hair bows
One of the more obvious but just as fun ways to incorporate bows into your style is through hair accessories. As someone who joined cheerleading in high school just because I was jealous of the bows girls got to wear (also I love to dance), hair bows are near and dear to my heart. They definitely don’t have to be expensive either. Grabbing a roll of ribbon from your local craft store works just as well as higher end accessories.
Pinterest is the perfect place to find hair inspo! Follow me @isabellamartinezlifestyle
Throwbacks
One of the outfits that immediately comes to mind when thinking of bows is the strapless 80’s mini dresses featuring large oversized bows. It screams Holiday party, it screams timeless in my opinion, and you’ll definitely be celebrating girlhood when you wear it.
Nail details
If you don’t want to wear anything that screams ribbon and bows, but still want to partake in the trend, a small nail detail is a great option. Whether you like long acrylics or shorter natural nails you can ask your nail artist to include a painted bow on one finger, or try glued plastic bow details at your next mani appointment.
I hope you’ve found some bow inspiration for the next time you want to add the detail to your outfits. As said by my sibling on a college campus, “They’ve been sewing them (bows) onto shirts,” so there’s always the option of going the DIY route to get your bow fix!
Connect with me on social media and don’t forget to call your reps to help Palestine!
Isabella Martinez | Lifestyle, Inspiration & More 
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