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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to really not like hair bows on grown ups?

135 replies

Alcoholtakingherlife · 14/03/2026 03:28

I don't mind little hair bows on small children, massively dislike Jojo bows though. My pet hate is those huge oversized bows that grown women wear. I never say anything in real life but why? A huge black or navy coloured bow perched at the back of your head? Nope from me. I know it's fashion but they really irritate me to be honest. Anyone else?

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cubistqueen · 15/03/2026 13:45

Mmmchocolatebuttons · 14/03/2026 04:52

I've never seen a huge hair bow on an adult woman.

Not since the 80’s!

HelloDandy · 15/03/2026 13:34

I haven't seen anyone wearing one but I have seen a few people wearing Alice bands with huge ears stuck on them. I think WHHHY but then remind myself they can wear what they like.

And I can also choose to not like it as well and we'll all live happily ever after😁

pinkpony88 · 15/03/2026 13:14

SpanThatWorld · 14/03/2026 06:49

I wore big hair bows in the 1980s.
Now i have a pixie cut which is shaved on one side.

Bodily autonomy. You do you.

I had these too. We called them “Fergie bows” but that name is probably less popular now! 🤣

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 15/03/2026 12:33

PollyBell · 14/03/2026 03:29

I hate them more on babies they are not dolls

Oh God yes - and those awful hair band things on little babies! Plus they’re dangerous - some poor little baby died after hers worked its way down and strangled her.

AlexRidersButt · 15/03/2026 12:01

I'm in no position to comment - I don't have any bows but I have a large collection of bandanas I wear as headscarves to keep my hair off my face when I'm working or gardening.

How can I judge someone wearing a large girly bow when I'm basically dressed like a soviet peasant?

Dogmum74 · 15/03/2026 11:52

I would imagine there are people who really dislike things that you wear but they don’t go on Mumsnet to slag it off

Dontpretenditssuchamystery · 14/03/2026 21:51

I love them don’t really care what you or others think , confident enough to wear things for me not anyone else’s approval

Yerdug · 14/03/2026 21:26

Only time this was ok was Fergie bows (remember?) in the 80s. And we know how thats going to end....

Notyouthful · 14/03/2026 20:43

I am not a fan of those massive bows newborn girls seem to be wearing. Horrible

AsparagusSeason · 14/03/2026 20:30

sunsetsites · 14/03/2026 20:24

Good thing you’re so superior to those silly women.

It’s a cross I bear.

sunsetsites · 14/03/2026 20:24

AsparagusSeason · 14/03/2026 18:46

I think they’re silly to start with. A non-silly woman wouldn’t consider a big bow on her adult head.

Good thing you’re so superior to those silly women.

Disturbia81 · 14/03/2026 19:47

AsparagusSeason · 14/03/2026 18:46

I think they’re silly to start with. A non-silly woman wouldn’t consider a big bow on her adult head.

😂😂

MangoesIntoAPube · 14/03/2026 19:20

Oh I love a bow- very Kristin Holby.

AsparagusSeason · 14/03/2026 18:46

sunsetsites · 14/03/2026 18:17

Are they all silly before the bows? Or do they become silly because of the bow?

I think they’re silly to start with. A non-silly woman wouldn’t consider a big bow on her adult head.

Disturbia81 · 14/03/2026 18:29

SurelyNotShirley · 14/03/2026 10:38

These types of posts remind me of playground bullies, picking on kids who choose to wear certain things, or look certain ways because the bully has unchallenged issues which are misdirected onto other children:

Jealousy
Low self-esteem
Miserable in life
Stuck up
Nasty
Spiteful

No healthy-minded person looks at another woman and becomes triggered by a hair bow.

I am 40 and have many large bows. I also enjoy dressing alternatively. I dress for what makes me happy. Imagine me looking at whatever you're wearing and making the following post:

"AIBU to be annoyed by the accessory this woman is wearing because everyone else also wears them?"

Like, what harm is it causing you? Does it directly effect you? Why does it make you feel so triggered?

I could turn around and say that women who don't wear accessories and just stick to jeans, tailored trousers, m&s top, little handbag and flats are quite bland&boring because they don't experiment with accessories. However, that isn't dping any good for the support and uplifting of women whom are comfortable in their own skin, doing their own thing.

People like you do not help a woman's cause, in this day and age when we should be supporting one another more than ever. Therefore, please tackle your mental health issues that are giving you unhealthy feelings and behaviours when seeing 'women wearing hair bows'. Women have been wearing hair bows for hundreds of years - Specifically during the high-society periods.

In a nutshell- Mind your own business, none of your concern, just look after yourself.

This is an amazing post, well said.
OP is just another woman wanting to tear other women down for making different choices. Life is much nicer when you have a positive mindset and thoughts.

sunsetsites · 14/03/2026 18:17

AsparagusSeason · 14/03/2026 17:23

I hate bows too. On children and especially silly grown women. On adults they give me Baby Jane vibes. <shudder>

Are they all silly before the bows? Or do they become silly because of the bow?

sunsetsites · 14/03/2026 18:16

You don’t have to like it if you aren’t wearing it.

begonefoulclutter · 14/03/2026 18:13

Plymouth Brethren women usually wear a bow in their hair.

BusyDoingBridgertonDances · 14/03/2026 18:12

Are you under the impression that you can’t have your own opinions OP? Why would you be unreasonable to not like hair bows? Like everything else, some people will like them, others won’t. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The threads on here are becoming more and more bizarre.

Beautifulhaiku · 14/03/2026 18:06

GarlicFound · 14/03/2026 17:52

So many words to say women aren't allowed opinions that differ from your own!

For the avoidance of doubt:
I disagree that we shouldn't express opinions;
I dislike bows on adults.

Feel free to write another mini-essay on how sharing my thoughts has held back women's rights.

Who has said you’re not allowed the opinion? You’re allowed the opinion. Other posters are allowed the opinion that judging what other women chose to do with/put on their bodies feeds into a shit culture for women. No need to be offended by that (although you’re allowed to be offended of course if you like).

GarlicFound · 14/03/2026 17:52

SurelyNotShirley · 14/03/2026 10:38

These types of posts remind me of playground bullies, picking on kids who choose to wear certain things, or look certain ways because the bully has unchallenged issues which are misdirected onto other children:

Jealousy
Low self-esteem
Miserable in life
Stuck up
Nasty
Spiteful

No healthy-minded person looks at another woman and becomes triggered by a hair bow.

I am 40 and have many large bows. I also enjoy dressing alternatively. I dress for what makes me happy. Imagine me looking at whatever you're wearing and making the following post:

"AIBU to be annoyed by the accessory this woman is wearing because everyone else also wears them?"

Like, what harm is it causing you? Does it directly effect you? Why does it make you feel so triggered?

I could turn around and say that women who don't wear accessories and just stick to jeans, tailored trousers, m&s top, little handbag and flats are quite bland&boring because they don't experiment with accessories. However, that isn't dping any good for the support and uplifting of women whom are comfortable in their own skin, doing their own thing.

People like you do not help a woman's cause, in this day and age when we should be supporting one another more than ever. Therefore, please tackle your mental health issues that are giving you unhealthy feelings and behaviours when seeing 'women wearing hair bows'. Women have been wearing hair bows for hundreds of years - Specifically during the high-society periods.

In a nutshell- Mind your own business, none of your concern, just look after yourself.

So many words to say women aren't allowed opinions that differ from your own!

For the avoidance of doubt:
I disagree that we shouldn't express opinions;
I dislike bows on adults.

Feel free to write another mini-essay on how sharing my thoughts has held back women's rights.

CantBreathe90 · 14/03/2026 17:44

They can be nice or not on women, depending on the bow, the woman, the occasion, the outfit, the hairdo...

I adore them on babies though!! And especially the little headbands, they make me really broody when I see their squishy little faces framed that way ❤️😭

To each their own though, I can see why they wouldn't be to some people's taste.

WoollyHeadedMammoth · 14/03/2026 17:32

That first set of examples all look practical and functional - the accessory is either holding the hair back or covering up/embellishing something like a plain rubber band or hair tie that is doing the job. You can argue that the plain hair tie doesn't need any help, but that's a matter of taste, preference, and perhaps occasion. Near me, I see the broad ribbon as scarf/headband (tied at the top front) pretty often, and occasionally a plain ribbon over elastic on a single ponytail or braid or a flat grosgrain bow on a comb or barrette actually holding back long hair. It all seems pretty moderate and classic, not particularly "on trend".

AsparagusSeason · 14/03/2026 17:23

I hate bows too. On children and especially silly grown women. On adults they give me Baby Jane vibes. <shudder>

BuildbyNumbere · 14/03/2026 17:22

You don’t like it, don’t wear it. If other people want to, surely that up to them. Maybe some people don’t like your taste in fashion!