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The Style Diary is supported by its readers. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on this website. Learn more.The digital landscape is awash with the latest viral craze – the resurgence of bows, making waves across social media platforms.
From the screens of TikTok to the feeds of Instagram and the boards of Pinterest, bows are back and they’re bigger than ever!
What Is TikTok’s Bow Trend?
At the heart of the bow trend lies the coquette aesthetic.
The term “coquette” originates from the French word for flirt, capturing the essence of a woman who is alluring and coquettish in her appearance.
It’s defined by its soft, delicate, girlie, and pastel-heavy style. It’s a form of expression that is hyper-feminine yet self-aware which is just up Gen Z’s street.
Los Angeles stylist, Marisa Ledford describes the trend as “Gen Z’s take on flirty, soft, hyper-feminine style.”
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Key Elements Of The Coquette Aesthetic
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Feminine Silhouettes: Coquette clothing often features feminine silhouettes such as fit-and-flare dresses, skirts with a slight flare, and fitted tops that accentuate the waist.
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Soft Fabrics: Fabrics chosen for coquette clothing tend to be soft and flowing, enhancing the delicate and romantic feel, think chiffon, silk, lace, and lightweight cotton.
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Pastel Colours: Soft pastel hues like blush pink, baby blue, lavender, and mint green are frequently used in coquette fashion, adding to their romantic and sweet appeal.
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Ruffles & Frills: Ruffles, frills, and lace trims are common embellishments found in coquette clothing, adding texture and a sense of whimsy to the garments.
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Floral Prints: Floral patterns, whether subtle or bold, are a staple of coquette fashion. They evoke a sense of romance and femininity, often seen in dresses, blouses, and skirts.
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Vintage Inspired: Coquette fashion often draws inspiration from vintage styles, particularly those from the Victorian, Edwardian, and Rococo eras, incorporating elements such as corsetry, puffed sleeves, and high necklines.
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Playful Details: Quirky and playful details like bows, ribbons, pearl embellishments, and heart-shaped buttons are frequently used to enhance the coquette aesthetic.
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Sheer & Lace: Sheer fabrics and lace panels add a hint of sensuality to coquette clothing, without being overly revealing, creating a balance between innocence and allure.
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Dainty Accessories: Accessories play a significant role in completing the coquette look. This may include dainty jewellery such as pearl earrings or delicate necklaces, as well as hair accessories like bow ties, scrunchies with bows, rhinestone embellished headbands or floral hair clips.
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Why Are Coquette Trends Becoming So Popular?
Recently, we’ve seen a few girlish ‘think pink’ trends having a moment with Barbiecore and Balletcore being the most popular.
These trends reflect a broader cultural shift towards embracing diversity, self-expression, and individuality in fashion.
They also provide a feeling of fantasy and a means of escape from the monotonous routine or stressful parts of daily life.
They allow us to indulge in a world of charm and femininity while connecting with beloved nostalgic elements from our childhood or vintage times.
Now we have the ‘bow trend’ as the newest internet sensation, infiltrating our lives, and sometimes, in some unexpected ways.
The Bow Trend Does Have A Weird Side
TikTok’s bow trend took an interesting turn in late 2023. It has gone from being a mere fashion statement to a satirical trend.
Many TikTok users are seen tying ribbons around everyday objects in their videos – a quirky phenomenon that has seen items such as toilet handles, lamps, or even IUD devices tied with a bow and shared online, yes, really!
@calliemarchant I cant stop. #coquette #coquetteaesthetic #bows #coquettecore ♬ let the light in – angelo
One video in particular from Sierra Palian, a nanny from Washington DC has become extremely popular racking over 11 million views on TikTok.
The 8-second video with Lana Del Rey’s “Let the Light In” playing in the background, captures a glass of water with three ice cubes tied in pink bows, being shot from above.
@partiallyrosie Feeling quite coquette tn #coquette #coquetteaesthetic #fyp ♬ Henna Timar – ⭐️
Palian tells The New York Times, “It’s a way to express your femininity, but in an extremely self-aware way,” describing the style as girlie, soft and often marked by pastels.
She continued “It’s hyper feminine, but also there’s an awareness to it. It’s not ditsy culture.”
This ironic trend is a clear reflection of how quickly trends are born, evolve, and sometimes, become “a large-scale inside joke.”
However, good old-fashioned celebrity approval is what really cements a fashion trend in the TikTok Hall of Fame.
Fashion-forward celebs like Sydney Sweeney, Nicola Peltz Beckham, Zoë Kravitz, Alicia Keys, and Olivia Rodrigo have all been spotted wearing decorative ribbons in various ways.
Sarah Jessica Parker even launched her own line of vintage bows with her brand, SJP Collection.
According to Laura Polko, celebrity stylist, this trend is expected to continue well into 2024, especially during the awards season.
In fact, it seems the year has got off to a good start with bows and ribbons aplenty being spotted at the 2024 Golden Globes awards on celebrities like Kate Beckinsale and Elle Fanning.
Image | Left: Kate Beckinsale/Getty Images, Right: Elle Fanning, Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
How To Add Bows To Your Outfits
So, if you want some ideas for adding bows to your outfits, here are a few ways to do it:
HAIR ACCESSORIES
A bow hair clip or headband can instantly transform a basic hairstyle into something more stylish.
For example, you can add a bow hair clip to a half-up, or half-down hairstyle for a cute and feminine look.
One of the easiest ways to incorporate bows into your outfit is through hair accessories. If you want to channel your inner Barbie, a pink bow is the ultimate Coquette bow.
But, if you want to experiment with some other cool colours and designs, you may love the ones below.
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ON YOUR CLOTHES
Bows draw attention to the area where they are placed, whether it’s on a dress, blouse, or even on jeans.
This creates a focal point and adds visual interest to an otherwise plain or simple garment.
Bows can be strategically placed to highlight certain features of the body, such as the waist or shoulders, and can create the illusion of a more defined silhouette.
ON YOUR SHOES
Don’t forget about your footwear! Look for shoes such as ballet flats or sandals with bow accents.
This can instantly make your outfit more interesting and eye-catching.
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NECKLINE EMBELLISHMENTS
Bows can be a beautiful addition to the neckline of your tops or dresses too.
Look for blouses or dresses with bow details at the collar or around the neckline. This can add a touch of elegance to your outfit.
For example, a blouse with a bow-tie neckline can be paired with trousers or a skirt for a sophisticated office look.
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As we move into 2024, it is clear that the bow trend is here to stay, at least for a while.
So, whether you’re looking to make a fashion statement, join a viral trend, or simply add a touch of whimsy to your life, there’s a bow out there for you!
