Yeah, Everything Really Does Have a Bow On It Now

This sweet trend is taking over — especially for Fall 2022.

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FUTURE OF FASHION: Bows
Photo: Getty Images/InStyle

The year is 2022, and despite what we were told in the early aughts, we know full well that fashion trends don't come with age limits. Want to wear a fuzzy muppet hat at 45? Go for it. Tempted to embrace the Y2K micro mini ... again? Even Nicole Kidman says heck yes. Plus, no matter what that annoying voice in the back of your brain is telling you, bow embellishments aren't juvenile. In fact, you're going to start seeing them a lot more on all different types of clothes and accessories.

Looking at the Fall 2022 runways, bows are big — literally! — and small and medium-sized, too. We saw them at Carolina Herrera decorating red carpet-worthy designs, and also at Coach, looking a bit more casual on a lace minidress, immediately taking us back to the early 2010s. The good news is, this detail isn't one we have to wait to wear. Bow dresses, bow shirts, bow sweaters, bow jumpsuits, and more have already begun popping up, proving we're well on our way to them taking over.

There's really no wrong way to wear this trend — oversized, delicate, as an accessory, etc. — but in case you're in need of inspiration, we've rounded up how our favorite brands are incorporating bows into their designs, ahead.

Carolina Herrera

bow trend
Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Why stop at one? This bubblegum-pink dress featured multiple bows down the side, giving the design some feminine flair.

Brandon Maxwell

Bows
Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Brandon Maxwell had a more subtle interpretation, adding a dainty bow belt to a voluminous dress.

Bronx and Banco

Bows
Noam Galai/Getty Images

A little black dress gets some added oomph with an oversized, electric purple, '80s-inspired bow.

Jason Wu

Bows
Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

A simple bow crop top is the perfect mix of sweet and sexy.

Salone Monet

Bows
Courtesy

We already loved this brand for its wide selection of nude heels, but these slides — which come with removable bows — will no doubt become a footwear favorite in the near future.

Coach

Bows
Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Although a bow-embellished, lace babydoll dress immediately brings us back to 2010, Coach toughened up the look with a baseball cap, choker, and chunky boots.

Christian Cowan

Bows
Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

We've been digging shoulder-tie tops since 2020, but if you're ready for something a bit bolder, the oversized bow strap is a fun alternative.

Oscar de la Renta

Bows
Rémi Lamandé

This look goes beyond real bows — beaded graphic details work, too.

Saint Sintra

Bows
Darian DiCianno

While bow-embellished dresses and jumpsuits come in and out of rotation every few years, a bow button-down is a fresh way to wear this trend.

Veronica Beard

Bows
Emily Soto

We love a single statement shoulder. What better way to nail the look than with a big bow?

Markarian

bows
JP Yim/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows

Even if your dress already includes bow straps, don't be afraid to add a bow belt, too. With this trend, there's no such thing as going overboard.

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