5 Bow Clip in Hair Styles for Every Hair Type

Are Bow Clips in the Hair Modern?

Bow Clips have become a style classic in recent years, and for good reason. When they first went on the ascent, they felt nostalgic - a throwback to 80s Sloane Rangers, and mid-century feel-good style. 

As we’ve fallen in love with them all over again, we’ve all come to realise how much they can add to a modern outfit.

If you’re a wedding guest, for example, there’s nothing quite like a bow clip in your hair to lend your outfit a touch of romance and celebration (and hair bows feel much more modern than a fascinator).

They feel deliciously playful and feminine, even if the occasion is more day-to-day. Take a look here for example, at how a simple white top is lifted by the addition of a lilac bow clip in the hair.

For 2026, Accessories have gone big and bold - and so a head-turning Bow Clip in the Hair is just the ticket for playful, modern style.

Are Bow Clips in the Hair Girly?

Hair Bow Clips have long been associated with young femininity - Judy Garland wore an iconic hair bow clip in The Wizard of Oz. In the mid-20th century they were even worn by teenagers to signal their relationship status. 

Then in the 1960s hair bow clips developed in sophistication as screen sirens such as Brigitte Bardot and Catherine DeNeuve adopted the signature hairstyle. Madonna went on to style them subversively in the 1980s, turning their association with innocence on its head. 

In recent years, hair bow clips have graced the heads of celebrities such as Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman, and won a place in our hearts as a go-to hair accessory - the perfect finishing touch for everything from red carpet glamour to a casual weekend ensemble. 

So yes - hair bow clips can indeed be girly, but it very much depends how you style them. Style them as high-low accent (for example the bow hair clip could be the high and a beaten up biker jacket the low) if you fancy the subverting the girliness into something a little more intriguing. 

Opting for a chic, black bow is another way to minimise girliness. Wear your black bow clip with a classic half up hairstyle for a timeless look that is always in style. 

Are bow clips in the hair reserved for women?

Certainly not! Did you know that bow clips in the hair were worn by men more often than women in the 1700s? Males wore them to showcase their success and prosperity. Flamboyance was the flavour of the day! It’s quite difficult to imagine hair bows for men making a return in the same way brooches for men have, but you never know...

Are bow clips in the hair over-the-top?

There's no doubt that Bow Clips make a statement, and there's a firm feel-good factor when you wear them too. I have a personal fondness for wearing a bow in my hair to lift my spirits, and it never ceases to delight me just how many compliments I’ll get when I’m wearing one!

You can see me at one of my John Lewis Pop Up shops here for example, in my favourite hair bow headband. An instant style pick-me-up.

So whilst they do make a statement, they spread joy, and sometimes over-the-top is fun!

Do Bow Clips in the Hair work for any occasion?

Whether you're reading about hair bows because you’ve spotted them on the runway, on your favourite influencer, or simply fallen in love with the look scrolling through Pinterest at midnight (we've all been there!), rest assured, the bow clip trend is one that works for many occasions. 

The one occasion that springs to mind that you may think twice about wearing a bow is to work – but I’d argue that a black hair bow has an air of quiet sophistication that might well enhance your workplace confidence.

So whether you're heading to the office, a weekend brunch, a special occasion, a wedding, or simply popping to the shops, I’ve put together my favourite 5 ways to wear bow clips in your hair — and I’d love you to play around and see which one is your favourite.

1) Half Up Half Down Hair with a Bow Clip

The Half Up Half Down hairstyle is a go-to here at QueenMee — and a bow clip in the hair takes it to the next level.

This look is chic whatever your hair type — whether your hair is fine and delicate or thick and curly. It's also wonderfully versatile: romantic enough for a wedding guest, polished enough for the office, and relaxed enough for a coffee with friends.

How to create the look:

1. Start by smoothing the top section of your hair away from your face. You can leave it naturally smooth, or add a soft wave with a curling wand for extra glamour.
2. Gather the top half of your hair towards the back of your head — you want roughly the top third to half of your hair. Take your time getting this nice and even on both sides!
3.  If you have fine hair, secure the section loosely with a small hair elastic before adding your bow hair clip. If you have thick hair, skip the elastic, and just use the barrette mechanism to secure your hair.
4. Now for the fun part — slide your QueenMee Bow Clip in place (over the hair elastic if you’ve worn one). Gently tug a few strands out around your face for that effortlessly, relaxed finish.
5. Let the remaining hair fall loose, and you're ready to sparkle!

Amanda's Tip: If your hair is on the finer side, a little backcombing at the crown before you gather the section will give you gorgeous volume, so the bow clip doesn't pull your hair down. 

2) High Ponytail with a Long Bow Clip

Nothing says playful quite like a high ponytail adorned with a long, sweeping satin bow — this is a look that will turn heads!

I adore this style because it feels both classic and current all at once. The high ponytail lifts your features, gives you an instant confidence boost, and paired with a gorgeous long satin bow, it becomes something truly special. This is a wonderful style for those with long or medium-length hair.

Here's how to create the look:

1. Begin by smoothing your hair back with a brush. A little smoothing serum or hair oil through the lengths will help tame any flyaways and add a gorgeous shine.
2. Gather all of your hair up high — the higher the better for that bold, dramatic effect! Secure tightly with a hair elastic.
3. To make your ponytail look extra luscious, gently tug the hair at your crown upwards for a little lift and volume before securing.
4. Take a small strand of hair from the underside of your ponytail and wrap it around the hair elastic to conceal it — secure it underneath with a grip for a seamless look.
5. Now take your QueenMee long satin bow clip and secure it as close to your ponytail as you can. Allow the long ribbon tails to fall freely alongside your ponytail — they'll move beautifully as you walk!

3) Bun with a Short Bow Clip

The humble bun gets a seriously glamorous upgrade when you add a bow clip — and the best part is, it takes barely any effort at all!

We love a chic bun here at QueenMee because it's one of those hairstyles that looks like you've spent hours getting ready, even if you've whipped it together in minutes. With a gorgeous bow clip like our lilac satin hair bow added to the mix, it's elevated into something that makes you feel like a Queen going about your day. 

Here's how to create the look:

1. Gather your hair up into a ponytail at whatever height feels right for you — a high bun feels bold and modern, a low bun feels romantic and elegant, and a mid-height bun sits somewhere in between. All three work beautifully with a bow clip!
2. Twist your ponytail around itself and coil it into a bun shape, securing with a hair elastic and a few grips. Don't worry about it being too perfect — a slightly relaxed bun is perfectly on-trend and so chic!
3.  Gently pull a few face-framing tendrils free from around your hairline for an undone finish.
4. Now slide your QueenMee Bow Clip just above your bun — it'll nestle in beautifully and instantly transform the whole look!
5. A little spritz of hairspray to finish, and you are ready to conquer the day in style!

4) Braid with a Ribbon Bow Clip

A braid with a bow clip has a relaxed and bohemian feel — whimsical and romantic, they are perfectly paired together.

This is a brilliant look for Queens who want something a little different — it's wonderful for garden parties, weddings, school runs (for the little Queens in your life too!), or any day when you’d love a quick, easy and pretty style fix.

A bow clip with a little length works well with a braid hanging down - try our pink velvet hair bow to create the look in the photo above.

Here's how to create the look:

1. Begin by brushing your hair through thoroughly and deciding on your braid style. Will you go for fishtail braid or ultimate romance, or a very simple plait as we have in the photo here?
2. Work your braid from the nape of your neck for a classic style, or sweep your hair to one side for a gorgeous asymmetric look. Don't worry about it being perfectly neat — a slightly textured, undone braid is charming and relaxed.
3.  Secure the end of your braid with a small clear hair elastic.
4. Gently pancake your braid by pulling the edges of each section outwards slightly — this gives your braid a fuller, more voluminous shape. It makes such a difference!
5. Now for the romance — slide your QueenMee Bow Clip in at the top of your braid, or wherever feels most beautiful to you. The bow will nestle into the braid and look like it was made to be there!

Amanda’s Tip: Try wearing your bow clip at the very end of your braid instead of the top, in place of your hair elastic. It's an original look and gives those beautiful bow tails the chance to show off! Take a look at the gorgeous LizzieinLace who is wearing her QueenMee bow clip in this way!

5) Headband worn with a Bow Clip in the Hair

Our fifth and final look delivers a head-turning finish, but it's so easy to create. It’s practical, pretty and my all-out favourite (yes I am a more is more kind of girl!)

Wearing a headband is always a brilliant choice when you want to look polished and put-together without spending a lot of time styling your hair. But when you add a bow clip in the hair too — popping it behind your headband as a combination with any of the 4 styles above — you create a look that is truly eye-catching and unique to you. 

This idea works on all hair types and lengths - from shoulder length to long hair – check out our lovely customer Jade here, who has gorgeous curly, mid length hair. She’s styled her jewelled headband and velvet bow clip in her hair to perfection. 

In fact, it’s my lovely customers at my Pop Up Shops that showed me just how effective this combination is. 
Jade wore her jewelled headband and bow clip to Ascot, and another lovely customer wore this combination of padded headband in velvet  and long pink hair bow to Ascot on another day. 

I love the idea of my Queens looking fabulous in their QueenMee next to the racecourse!

Here's how to create the look:

 1. Start with your hair down or with a soft, loose style. You can leave it naturally smooth, add some waves, or simply let it air-dry — all of it looks wonderful with a headband and bow.

2. Select your headband and bow clip combination. The colours and fabrics don’t need to be exactly the same, but a similarity in tones works well and gives a unified look.

3.  Place your headband on your head and push it back slightly, so it sits a few centimetres from your hairline — this is the most flattering position for most face shapes and gives that classic, elegant look.

4. Now take your QueenMee Bow Clip and smooth your hair back into a half up half down hairstyle, securing the hair with your bow clip.

5. Adjust until you love how it looks, and that's it — you are done and you’ve revealed your inner Queen!

Amanda’s Tip: If you prefer a sleek look, and you want to keep your hair both off your face, and away from your neck, then create a bun and add your bow clip just above the bun.

And there you have it — my five favourite ways to wear bow clips in your hair! Whether you're reaching for the romantic half up half down, the bold high ponytail, the chic bun, the enchanting braid, or the head-turning headband look, I hope these styles have inspired you to try something new with your bow clip today.

Do email me any styling photos amanda@queenmee.com, or tag me on Instagram @queenmee_accessories. I'd love to see how you wear your hair accessories!

If you'd like to get some more styling ideas, try my Free Easy Hairstyles Cheat Sheet. Just enter your details below!

With love and thanks, Amanda X