When reminiscing about my childhood style preference, I'm flooded with memories of battling my mother over what outfit I would wear to JK. If my mom laid out a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt I'd throw a tantrum and protest that I'd be mistaken for a boy (I was a socially gendered child). If I had my way, crinoline layered party frocks trimmed with frill, ribbon and bows would have been my daily uniform of choice. I loved the fussy details of ultra feminine clothing, I especially adored giant bows.

Fast-forward 15 years and over sized ribbons and bow motifs are hot on the fashion file. It seems as though designers, alongside MAC cosmetics, have taken a style que from Hello Kitty.

Bow details were first spotted in the fall ‘08 collections of Thom Ford in the form of satin ties on fur stoles, Versace corset dresses laced with bowties, and Galliano's fluid like bow blouses. These loop-de-loops made such an impact that they're here to stay, and have been tailored into springs fashion assortments taking many different forms.

For spring, bows are oversized and sewed across bust lines of dresses. Belts have been substituted for silky ribbons. Ordinary drawstrings are romanticized into droopy bowties and necklaces have been beaded and wired into bow motifs. As you can see, bows have taken many shapes and forms for the season, which makes this detail easier than ever to replicate.

I've sourced out a few of my favourite spring bow detailed pieces to get yourself fashionably tied up in.

Bow-tie blouses are a softly romantic look of the seventies that can easily become a wardrobe staple. For a low-fuss outfit it can be paired with cropped boyfriend jeans and a blazer to give it that favourable touch of masculinity. On the contrary, neck-tie tops can take on a sexy secretary vibe when paired with a column skirt or high-waist trousers. Bow-tie blouses have turned up on the racks of many stores, but one of my favourite versions is available in a short-sleeve style at Banana Republic stores for $49.

Next on the list, bow embellished headbands. After perusing many magazine spreads and spotting heaps of these hair embellishments at the Spring Mode Accessory Show, I'm confident that they will be a popular, seasonless accent.

British online fashion retailer www.asos.com carries tons of sweet bow knotted hair bands to choose from, and what's more, they deliver to Canada. One that caught my eye was an understated yet elegant mesh bow Alice band, $8.25. This adorable hair accessory is set on slim metal frame, with a polished finish, embellished with a petite satin bow. While you're on the Asos webpage, check out their other on-trend bow detailed jewellery.

If school fees have you strapped for cash, you can still emulate the bow-tie accent without dropping a dime, curtsey of Claudia Newcorn editor of ehow.com.

All you'll need is your favourite long narrow scarf, at least 45 inches long.

Step one; fold the scarf in half and place it around your neck with the edges facing “into” your neck or collar.

Second step; cross the long ends of the scarf, one under the other. Loop one side of the scarf and then make the opposite end of the scarf into an identical loop (as if you were tying a shoelace).

Third step; cross the two loops, and pull the one on top through the hole between them. Pull both loops gently in opposite directions.

Fourth step; gently adjust the length of the loops until the bow is the size you like, and then tighten the loops by pulling on both at the same time.

Bows are everywhere for spring. Be sure to scout for bow detailing on the toes of shoes, handles of purses, waistlines of skirts, wrapped around clutches and decorating the straps of dresses. Stylists and fashion editors agree that bows add a bang of feminine flirt and fun to everything this season. My inner child couldn't be happier!
Previous Article
Next Article