Butt-Skimming Bows Are the Perfect Holiday Hair Accessory

Back in my retail shopgirl days, I loved nothing more than sitting in the back room watching the store owner wrap gifts during the holidays. He had an almost supernatural ability to pull exactly the right amount of paper for any size box and to tie a pristine bow. This, unfortunately, is a skill I do not have; I can passably wrap a present, but tying a bow? Absolutely not. 

My holiday gifts may not be tied up in pristine ribbons and bows, but you know what can be? My hair! Bows are practically tailor-made for holiday hairstyling, but this season they’re even bigger, bolder, and better than in the past. What better time to supersize your bow than the holiday season? You are the present, baby!

The Trend

Bows have had quite the comeback in recent years, especially with the ballet-, coquette- and cottagecore aesthetics—it feels like everyone is taking style cues from Samantha Parkington the American Girl doll. But lately, stars like Sarah Jessica Parker are taking the bow to bigger and bolder levels with XXL styles that cascade down to butt length; Parker, ever the trendsetter, wore a superlong, oversize black bow with her Carolina Herrera dress for the 2023 New York City Ballet Fall Gala.

“Bows have come in again as a bit of joy, and I think we all need a bit of joy in the world,” says Bea Carmichael, Aveda global artistic director of hairstyling. “If you look at what a bow represents on a gift or bouquet of flowers, on a pair of shoes, or as a belt, it adds a bit of joy; you may even tie ribbons in bows on a tree.” 

Vanessa Whitmarsh, hairstyling educator and member of the Aveda North American Artistic Team, agrees. “After COVID, it felt like everyone was being minimal with hair. Cuts, color, and styling were more natural and undone, with no accessories except maybe an elastic for ponytails,” she explains. “Now, people are doing more high-maintenance color and styling. Blowouts are back, and so are the accessories. They’re having fun with their hair again.” Whitmarsh cites brands like LoveShackFancy and the balletcore aesthetic for the resurgence in all things bows, lace, and unabashedly feminine.

How to Get the Look

Bows are available basically everywhere these days, including the butt-length variety, and Carmichael likes the premade options because they look perfect all day and require minimal fussing. “Keep it simple by using these premade accessories; your bow will automatically sit in the right place rather than trying to tie ribbon around a ponytail, which doesn’t give the same effect,” she explains.

Carmichael advises customizing your XXL bow look to your hair length so it’s not overwhelming with your overall look. “For example, if you have a bob, use a thinner width of ribbon, but go long with the length,” she explains. “If your hair is long and thick, use a thicker width of ribbon and [go] long with the length; this will create balance to your style.”

Celebrity hairstylist and beauty expert David Lopez agrees that balance is key when it comes to bows. “A large bow is a statement piece, so it’s important to balance it out with the rest of your outfit and hairstyle,” he says. “Avoid overly busy patterns or too many other accessories that could compete with the bow.” That said, lean into the childlike joy of this sweet hair accessory. “Don’t be afraid to experiment with different placements for your bow. It could look great at the back of your head, on one side, or even as part of a ponytail or braid,” Lopez says.

To get started, try a simple style like the Urban Outfitters Long Satin Hair Bow Barrette, which comes in white, black, sage, and delicate pink and is budget-friendly at just $15, or Anthropologie’s bridal white Satin Hair Bow Clip. If you want something a bit subtler, tiptoe into the trend with the splurge-worthy Rosie Bow Barrette from Jennifer Behr, which Blair Waldorf totally would’ve worn. For a dramatic look, turn to bow queen Sandy Liang’s Palermo Bow for the holiday season and beyond. And if you’re super crafty, why not head to the fabric store and make your own XXL bow in your chosen color, pattern, and length?

Once you’ve got your bow of choice in hand, it’s time to style it. Whitmarsh recommends prepping with a volumizing or thickening product like Aveda’s Volumizing Tonic or Invati Advanced Thickening Foam to give the bow a strong base. Lopez likes adding grip, especially for heavier bows that can be difficult to keep in place, with Kenra's Dry Volume Burst 3 or Platinum Dry Texture Spray 6.

“When styling with a big bow, I would keep the hair simple so the whole look isn’t overwhelming or costumey,” says Whitmarsh. “A ponytail with some texture or wave or a half-up, half-down style with a little wave in the bottom half is perfect.” 

Bows also work well with classic styles like braids, buns, and ponytails, says Lopez. “A sleek high ponytail provides a perfect base for a large bow. The bow can be tied around the base of the ponytail for a chic look.” Try a low, elegant bun with your XXL bow placed just above it, or wear your hair down in a sleek style for what Lopez calls a “dramatic and stylish” vibe. As you style, be mindful of your hair texture and length. “Bows may have a better grip in curly or textured hair, but ensure it’s not pulling or causing discomfort,” advises Lopez. If you have straight or fine hair, you may want to use more texturizing products and pins to keep the bow from sliding out. If you’re using a barrette or clip-on bow, Lopez also recommends securing it over a small ponytail or braid for added stability.

Once you’re satisfied with your big bow placement and it feels good in your hair, finish with a spritz of your favorite hair spray, like Aveda’s Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray or Kenra's Volume Spray 25. You’ll be prettier than the fanciest packages from Santa himself.