Why Southerners Will Always Love A Classic Bow

Growing up, my Nana made me a matching hairbow for every single outfit I had. Some were looped with ribbons while others were filled with empty water balloons (perfect for birthday parties!). The older I got, I never quite shook my bow obsession. Even today, as I write this, I am wearing a bespoke jacket adorned with bow buttons. If I am any example, Southerners will always be fans of this feminine detail. 

The rest of the world is getting on board, too. A quick look at Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest will reveal that “coquette aesthetic” is the latest en vogue style. Described as “girlycore,” the look is synonymous with ballet flats adorned with bows, oversized hair bow accessories, and even bags topped with a feminine knot. Bows are trending across all walks of fashion and home decor, but what is it about a bow that is especially important to Southern women regardless of fads? Read on for more about the history and charm of bows. 

The History Of Bows In Fashion

While Mama always insisted on tying sashes with a bow and sticking a bow atop any head that remained still, the history of bows stretches well beyond the South. Historians tell us that bows date as far back as 2600-2500 BC. During that time the humble bow was mostly utilitarian, used primarily to pull hair away from the face. In the 1600s, men and women sometimes grew a particular part of their hair longer than the rest, and tied it with a bow near the heart; it was considered to be their own “love lock.”

It wasn’t until 17th century France, however, that bows became popular adornments so much so that it is estimated that Marie Antoinette’s hairstylist spent 20,000 francs on ribbons for the monarch. Victorian women notably wore bows at their bustle as well as around their necks, and by the 20th century, they had been popularized by Dorothy’s pigtails, Minnie Mouse’s ears, and Scarlett’s sunhat.

Fast-forward even deeper in time, and one of the South’s most legendary clothing designers and bow enthusiasts, Lilly Pulitzer, catapulted to popularity. The Palm Beach, Florida resident created her iconic shift dress, often tied with bows at the side slits or with feminine knots dotted down the center. Once Jackie O, a former classmate of Pulitzer, wore the look on the cover of Life Magazine, the brand sealed its reputation in fashion history. Today, these dresses are still closet staples for Southern women for Easter Sunday, sorority recruitment, and beach getaways. 

And let’s not forget the gentlemen. Bow ties are all but expected to be worn by Southern men of all ages for celebrations.  

The History Of Bows In Interior Design

Ribbons and bows have been woven into the fold of interiors for centuries, too. Thomas Chippendale, the designer from which the Chippendale style originated, famously incorporated bows into his furniture. Rarely is an Art Nouveau mirror spared a bow motif. At grand resorts in the South such as The Greenbrier, designers such as Dorothy Draper meticulously included bows on everything from custom carpets to billowing window treatments. The Prince of Chintz, Mario Buatta, designed homes across the South, specifically in Charleston and Palm Beach, adding his signature ribbon bow swags to walls. 

How To Wear Bows

Wearing bows as a child is all but expected, but how do you pull off the look as an adult?

Jewelry

Ease into the trend by selecting shoes or jewelry topped with bows. Lightweight hoops dotted with bows from Mae Wearable Art in Georgia are a charming and sophisticated option (and bonus: extremely lightweight). Designer Margaret Mewborn says of her Eloise pieces, “As a Southern woman, I think there is just something so classic and feminine that a bow adds as an accessory. That’s why I wanted to focus on the [bow] design element which allowed our clients of all ages to indulge in pieces that would evoke those feelings.” 

Pajamas and Loungewear

Zhush your zzz’s with nightgowns or bedjackets adorned with bows from Lenora, a luxury pajama and loungewear brand. Their Vivian cotton bedjacket is pretty enough to wear around the house or pair with jeans for girls’ night. Grab a beaded bow bag with a bamboo handle designed by Beth Ladd in partnership with Lexington Kentucky influencer, Mary Margaret Christman from Happy Hydrangea Home. Christman says a bow was the perfect symbol for the collaboration, “While feminine, delicate, and poised, a bow represents womanhood tied together seamlessly with strength and dignity.” 

Clothes

If you really want to embrace the big bow look, go all in with a bow sweater or bow-backed dress from MAE New York. As a Maryland-raised Southerner at heart, designer Sarah Mae Ettinger knows her bows. After designing for Kate Spade, Ettinger went out on her own to bring bows back in fashion with a vengeance. 

How To Decorate With Bows 

Incorporate bows into your decor in a multitude of ways. Start at your front door with a bespoke bow-bordered doormat from June St. George. Lead designer and owner ​​Ally-Catherine Trenary prominently features bows in many of her household designs whether in her rugs and pillows or her signature china sets made in partnership with Pickard China. 

For an even bigger statement the boutique Love Shack Fancy, with stores throughout the South, offers peel-and-stick bow wallpaper in blue and pink. If you don’t mind the thrill of the hunt, you might be able to score one of Mario Buatta’s signature oversized satin bows from a vintage shop or online antique retailer. 

Regardless of how you bow, one thing is certain: there’s always room for another one.