In elementary school, I committed an unforgivable crime. A social faux-pas of the highest order. I wore a dress. Worse, a pink dress. I recall standing in line for lunch when Ashleigh approached me with a tap on the shoulder. She informed me in no uncertain terms that a fashion felony had taken place. With the gravity of a judge passing sentence, she stated, “Well, aren’t you brave wearing a dress in the fifth grade.” I had been condemned by a jury of my peers and would summarily face execution. In 2005, the closest thing to a dress in a tweens fashion repertoire was an Abercrombie and Fitch jean mini skirt, usually worn over capris length leggings.
What Hairbows Signal in Our Culture
Yet, in the past two years not only have dresses been destigmatized, but celebrated. Thus paving the way for hairbows, marking a forceful return to femininity a la Brigitte Bardot. This can be attributed to various cultural influences, including the release of the 2023 Barbie movie, trad-wife influencers, and Taylor Swift’s Era’s tour, all of which celebrated themes of femininity, nostalgia, and glitter. Glitter everywhere.
The 2023 Barbie movie, with its unapologetic pink color palette and emphasis on girl power, catalyzed a resurgence of feminine aesthetics. From the iconic pink bows adorning Barbie’s wavy blonde hair to the costumes reminiscent of classic Hollywood glamour, the movie pronounced “pretty and girly” to be cool. Take that Ashleigh. Similarly, Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, with its shimmering sequins and periwinkle ballgowns, captured the hearts of millions of girls just waiting for the okay to wear that pink sundress and large hairbow that they always kind of liked, but never dared to wear.
Moreover, the rise of the trad-wife movement, spearheaded by influencers such as Hannah Neeleman, Kelly Havens, and Nara Smith, has played a significant role in normalizing Softcore styles. This movement proselytizes the traditional values of homemaking, attention to appearance, and encouraging women to embrace domesticity with unapologetic vigor. This look spans the gambit of Donna Reed elegance in a full skirted summer swing dress to Little House on the Prairie linen shifts.
Once considered outdated or frumpy, hundreds of social media platforms and pages now exist where people gather to discuss how to best cultivate these once-despised styles. Not only does this mean the revival of pearls, florals, and pastels, but It also means a superfluity of sourdough bread recipes. So. Much. Sourdough.
Exploring Diverse Expressions of Femininity
Yet, feminine styles can take a few different forms. The ones most associated with hairbows include Softie, Barbiecore, Cottagecore, Dark Academia, and Americana. Each aesthetic requires it’s own hairbow style.
The widespread public interest in femininity gained momentum in 2022 with the TikTok trend “Soft Girl Summer.” This phenomenon brought an infusion of butter yellows, sky blues, and blush pinks into fashion. Stores ranging from Target to local boutiques began offering flouncy skirts, puffed sleeves, and tight bodices with sweetheart and scooped necklines. Online platforms resembled the aesthetic of Taylor Swift’s “Lover” album, with images of white daisies, soft green grass, and an embrace of simple pleasures dominating Instagram feeds.
This movement wasn’t about outright rejection of civilization or drastic lifestyle changes like selling the house to buy a farm—rather, it signaled the emergence of the idea that women’s lives needed more substance, closer female friendships, and beauty. To that end, magazines also emphasized the idea of decorative picnics and brunch dates with the girls–once the singular past-time of Blair Waldorf and Serena Van Der Woodsen.
Softie involves items like butterfly clips, large hairbows in a solid pastel color or floral print, milkmaid dresses, gingham print, and school-girl styled pleated skirts. In short, it’s cute.
However, one feminine aesthetic has eclipsed them all: Cottagecore. It unites conservative Christians, militant atheists, domestic housewives, and pink-haired feminists, into communities that share knitting patterns and a love of woodland animals. Cottagecore is characterized by simple dresses paired with handmade crocheted hair scarves and calico aprons embroidered with mushrooms.
It emphasizes simplicity and a departure from technology and consumerism. More than just a fashion craze, the desire to embody a Cottagecore look has sparked a desire to live a Cottagecore life, with thousands of families choosing to engage in elective animal husbandry and even homesteading. Instagram influencers like Hannah Neeleman from Ballerina Farm, with 8.9 million followers, and Julianna Woehrle of My_Wildflowers, with 155K followers, embody this return to rural living. Woehrle in particular adopts a manner of living reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables, with simple neutral color schemes and a routine emancipated from the constant over-stimulation that saturates the modern world.
Hair bows, however, are not only associated with the Laura Ingalls’ of the world but also with characters like Hermione Granger and Wednesday Addams. The Dark Academia trend, which combines elements of American Prep and Gothicism, creates a posh yet brooding look, ideal for the bookish girl. Red crushed velvet, white silk, and thin black Margot bows are the perfect choice to pair with white button-ups that roll up to the sleeves, complemented by a knit gray cardigan.
In 2024, the cultural zeitgeist has shifted to embrace femininity in all its forms. Hair bows once dismissed as childish or twee, now adorn celebrities and housewives alike. Whether adorned with pearls, sequins, or patterns, hair accessories have become a staple in the wardrobes of fashion-forward individuals who embrace the power of pretty.
Conclusion
The rise of hair bows reflects a broader cultural shift towards embracing femininity and celebrating traditional feminine attributes. In a world that often values strength and toughness, the resurgence of feminine style reminds us of the beauty and power of embracing our softer, more delicate side. As we continue to embrace cute and chic in 2024, there’s no doubt that hair bows will remain a beloved accessory for years to come.
For more on the hairbow trend, take a peek at The Swish’s video, The Hairbow Craze is More than Just a Trend.
