Hair ribbons are the most versatile runway hair trend of the season

When fashion month rolls around, it’s almost guaranteed that there will be trends that will surprise us (like the resurgence of the ‘90s comb headband). But inevitably there are always a handful of trends that emerge from the cultural zeitgeist like a butterfly from a chrysalis. The impact isn't just seen on the runway, it’s experienced on a grander scale. 

Enter: the hair ribbon trend.

What is the hair ribbon trend?

Not to be confused with the school uniform-inspired, chunky hair bow trend of the summer of ‘21/’22, the hair ribbon trend is dainty, whimsical and unabashedly girly. 

Its popularity speaks to the current ‘girlhood’ sub-culture all over TikTok (e.g. girl math, Barbiecore and fairycore) that revels in the more innocent and pure aspects of the feminine experience.

If there’s one thing we know about 2023 it's that the girlies are girling. 

Catalysed by designers like Sandy Liang and Simone Rocha who’ve made simplistic, long-tailed, thin-ribbon bows, iconic emblems of their respective fashion labels, hair ribbons have now been spotted on the recent Spring/Summer runways of London and New York, as well as the streets. 

The hair ribbon trend at Spring/Summer 2024 Fashion Week

Guests attending the Simone Rocha Ready to Wear S/S 2024 runway in London were decorated head-to-toe in poppy red satin ribbons (a nod to Rocha’s last collection) that appeared to float in the air in the blustery streets of the old city. 

Later, Rocha’s models walked the runway in beaded headdresses with ornamental mini pink bows fastened to them. Sandy Liang’s S/S24 runway reserved the designer’s signature hair ribbons for the final bridal look of the collection — a nod to Liang’s recent nuptials and bridal hairstyle, which was decorated with a cascade of mini ivory ribbons hidden beneath her gauze veil.

Collina Strada’s Spring 2024 Ready To Wear Runway Show in New York (pictured above) saw models walk with lengths of loose ribbon in muted tones tied through their hair. Christian Siriano, on the other hand, employed the help of celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway to thread criss-crossed, marshmallow pink ribbon corsets into the hair of runway models for his ready-to-wear collection.

How to wear the hair ribbon trend

If you’re keen on the idea of emulating the hair ribbons you’ve seen on the runways of London and New York Fashion Week, Sandy Liang and Simone Rocha’s ribbons are always available from the designer’s websites and at select luxury retailers in Australia. 

But if you’re after a more budget-friendly option ($200 for a hair ribbon is a big ask for most people) then there are plenty of cheap and cheerful hair ribbons on the market that look just as whimsical as their luxury counterparts. 

Alternatively, if you like the laissez-faire attitude of Collina Strada’s loosely tied hair ribbons, a trip to Spotlight’s ribbon section might be in order.

We recommend:

Sandy Liang Peach Clips ($239 at Sandy Liang); Lovisa Pink Fabric Satin Scallop Hair Bows ($15.99 at Lovisa); and Siopue Tassel Ribbon Bowknot Hair Clips ($9.99 at Amazon Australia).

Main & Internal Image Credit: Getty

Girly hair ribbons not really your thing? Introducing the unapproachable makeup trend.