Around 2022, the clean-girl aesthetic—characterized by its softness and minimalism—rose to fame, aided by platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. In particular, the popularity of the feminine style popularized bows. Seen on water bottles, in hair, or sewn onto pants—these strips of ribbon popped up everywhere.
While modern bows are tied to symbols of women and delicateness, historically they were very androgynous. In Ancient Rome, male senators tied their sandals in bows, using them to flaunt their class. Stylish men of 18th-century Western society often wore their hair long, accented with bows tied to keep the strands out of their faces. In addition to hairstyles, the simple knots graced blouses and dresses on men and women alike. Famous for her ludicrous spending, Marie Antoinette was often accessorized with ribbons on her bodices and placed artfully in her hair. After the 1700s though, bows lost most of their status in men’s fashion (with the exception of the bow tie). As bows shifted to symbolize femininity, in the mid-20th century they began to convey a woman’s relationship status.
In the 2020s, bows have once again risen to the height of fashion, almost bringing a sense of “daintiness” to one’s outfit. But TikTok user @prettycritical points out that the soft elegance of bows is not always extended to everyone, begging the question, “Who gets to be a girl?” Historically, affluent white women were the only ones able to keep up with the ever-fluctuating trends of society. East Asian women, who usually have lighter skin than people from other parts of Asia, seem to also fit into the imaginary box that defines the style. These women have often been fetishized due to the belief that they are submissive and exotic. The bow, which embodies girlishness and innocence, fits this stereotype perfectly, thus welcoming East Asians into the trend. When looking up “bows” on Pinterest, women with straighter hair and lighter skin dominate my feed. The lack of diversity in the trend isn’t accidental. The “sapphire stereotype,” portraying Black women as overbearing and masculine, has almost barred them from the aesthetic because they don’t fit the conventional “clean girl” look. While these bows may seem like harmless add-ons to accessorize the clean-girl aesthetic, it is evident that historical stereotypes continue to plague fashion trends.
Sources: