With Christmas sparkle still lingering and New Year energy setting in, there is no better time to talk about fashion’s most charming comeback. Once associated with sweetness and tradition, bows have re-emerged as one of the most dominant motifs of 2025, shedding their purely girlish reputation. Today’s bow is confident, expressive, and versatile. Seen tied into hair, stitched onto silhouettes, and dangling from accessories with renewed purpose. What was once a finishing touch has become the focal point, transforming everyday looks into intentional style statements.

The history behind the bow revival

Bows have always had a place in fashion history. They adorned European aristocracy in the 17th and 18th centuries, punctuated Victorian children's wear, and reappeared time and again as symbols of elegance and formality. In recent years, the bow found new relevance through the rise of coquette culture and nostalgic aesthetics, reclaiming softness without sacrificing strength. By 2025, the trend matured further—moving beyond subtlety and into statement territory, where bows command attention rather than quietly decorate.

Runways, red carpets, and cultural impact

Designers across the global fashion circuit have embraced the bow in dramatically different ways. From sculptural and oversized to romantic and restrained, the motif has appeared across collections by both established houses and emerging labels.

Celebrities have amplified this momentum. Dua Lipa has leaned into playful yet polished bow accents, while Alia Bhatt’s festive-season appearances served as a reminder that bows can feel timeless rather than trend-bound. On red carpets, bows have shown an impressive range, soft and gift-like on flowing gowns, dramatic and gothic when rendered in velvet or metallics, and unapologetically bold when scaled up to architectural proportions.

Beyond aesthetics, bows have also taken on cultural significance. In sport and public spaces, they’ve been reclaimed as symbols of solidarity and expression, proving that a traditionally “feminine” element can carry power, resistance, and unity! 

What defines the bow’s 2025 renaissance is its shift in role. No longer limited to hair accessories or dainty embellishments, bows now anchor entire outfits. Dresses are designed around them, bags are shaped by them, and shoes feature them as defining elements rather than afterthoughts. Even when used subtly, on earrings, heels, or straps, the bow feels deliberate, adding dimension without excess.

The modern bow balances nostalgia with authority. It can be romantic, playful, dark, dramatic, or quietly elegant, depending on its scale and styling. That adaptability is precisely why it continues to resonate across fashion’s many moods.

Here are Cosmo India's picks for some bow-detailed close additions! 
 

Twirl and Tote Coquette Handbag

 

 

Pomelo Studded Bow Mini Skirt

 

Cider Mid Rise Solid Bowknot Midi Skirt

 

H&M Tie-detail Peplum Top

 

Theater XYZ Fling

 

New Me, Black Bow Detail Track Pants

 

Arendelle Satin Silk Ribbon Long Tail Hair Bow Clip with Rhinestone Cord 

Bows are not a fleeting return or a seasonal indulgence. Their presence in 2025 signals something more enduring, a shift toward expressive details that feel personal, symbolic, and unapologetically visible. Whether tied into your hair, stitched onto your outfit, or slung over your shoulder on a bag, the bow has proven its staying power. It is no longer about looking cute; it is about making a statement, softly or boldly, exactly as you choose.

Images: Courtesy Getty Images and the brands
 

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