BOWS: All Grown Up
You may have thought you outgrew this trend, but bows are back! They’re twisting a little class and romance to fashion. A bow doesn’t have to immediately summon visions of vintage fashion where little boys wear bowties and girls wear a pretty hair bow for school pictures; bows have taken a modern turn where the trend is now all grown up. From a bowtie for men, to a bow-tied strap or bow blouse for women, bows add a small dash of charm that can make any attire feel right.
WOMEN
Bow fashion became really popular in the 1940s, where a lot of women used bows in their hair as an accessory. However in the 1950s, the bow gained even more popularity during the “sailor” fashion era once it was included in every waistline of a dress. The small addition of the bow on clothing, versus simply an accessory, provided women all over the world with a look that was a little more fashionable. This gave the bow a daintier look that is still commonly seen in the modern take of the trend. Bows were not only worn by women, but it was worn by men. Bow ties were worn with a sense of charm and intelligence.
MEN
The bowtie has Croatian roots dating back to the 17th century. It was a piece of neckwear to hold the collar of shirts together; which the French upper class rapidly adapted to—whom were recognized as the bowtie fashion leaders at the time. In the 1900s, the bowtie stamped men’s fashion, being worn by surgeons and academia. It was customarily part of the more formal attires that we recognize today. However, more recently, the bowtie evolved from solely being worn for formal attire as men are breaking the “fashion rules.” They are now wearing bowties with different patterns and textures, bright shirts/cardigans, as well as accessorizing it with suspenders, printed socks and bright shoelaces.
Choosing your ensemble is only half the battle. The bow has made quite the impact on fashion throughout time. Therefore, when incorporating your bow or bowtie, choose with confidence. Wear it loud, wear it proud and continue to strive for statement-making style that makes you stand out.
