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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?

OP posts:
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10
Mingey · 14/03/2026 09:59

GarlicFound · 14/03/2026 05:07

For everyone going around with their eyes shut ...

I wear bows like this to work. I get comments daily on it.
It makes me feel feminine and put together.

Hope that helps.

tutugogo · 14/03/2026 09:56

Not keen on them at any age and hate baby headbands. Just me

Goldmonkey · 14/03/2026 09:55

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 14/03/2026 09:37

I am costal, areas pretty middle class if being general but wider town is a very mixed demographic . Hair accessories are far from being ‘out there’ here.

Going simple today with either a clip or mini scrunchie for a coffee with a mate and a wander around the farmers market in the rain.

I’m talking coastal as in surfing etc, generations of families fishing very much not farmers markets. In my life summer was shorts, tshirt and no shoes as much as possible and winter was jeans, waterproof, hoodie, woolly hat.

Nothing wrong with coffee and farmers markets, we just don’t have a shared experience which is why I haven’t experienced the classically dressed / bows in hair thing other than old uni friends who do the Henley regatta / church type lifestyle (and in fairness farmers markets etc)

Toddlerteaplease · 14/03/2026 09:52

Mmmchocolatebuttons · 14/03/2026 04:52

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

Me neither

BoudiccaRuled · 14/03/2026 09:51

I wouldn't wear one myself but I think they look rather lovely. My favourite is when a very old lady wears one, with bright lipstick feeling a million dollars 😍

TheFallenMadonna · 14/03/2026 09:50

My 21yo goth ish daughter wears them. She basically dresses in costume every day though.

fluffiphlox · 14/03/2026 09:44

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

I didn’t think it was about actual disabled people, more about the likes of Flora Finching in Little Dorrit who are trying to appear more girlish then they are. Her character was good-hearted but a bit deluded about her age. As far as I am concerned wear what you like.

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 14/03/2026 09:37

Goldmonkey · 14/03/2026 08:20

Yes, classic is a much better description than demure. That’s what I envisaged. I’ve genuinely never seen this look in real life (and have lived all over the country), except my cousins who were young adults in the 90s and were church goers who played harp and taught in private schools.

Ive always lived in more working class areas or coastal, where casual is the vibe, except when I lived in Cambridge. I don’t remember seeing it there, but would always tend to gravitate towards a different type of person.

When I say I’m intrigued, I’m genuinely intrigued as it’s not something I’ve experienced in recent years and it’s being presented by some people as the norm.

I am costal, areas pretty middle class if being general but wider town is a very mixed demographic . Hair accessories are far from being ‘out there’ here.

Going simple today with either a clip or mini scrunchie for a coffee with a mate and a wander around the farmers market in the rain.

AIBU to really not like hair bows on grown ups?
LookAtYouNow · 14/03/2026 09:27

Why would you be unreasonable to not like them? You don’t have to like everything. Did someone tell you that you did?

Goldmonkey · 14/03/2026 09:16

Ponoka7 · 14/03/2026 09:06

The adult women who I see wear them,
Have a goth/cosplay etc look,
Wear them when doing a vintage look,
Are women of colour and have a style pictured earlier on. They can look fabulous on afro braids in an updo. The description of 'twee' made me laugh, there's nothing twee about my black friends who occasionally use bows and flowers.
The babies in our family are born with a good head of hair (mixed heritage) so I wouldn't judge, because we haven't had a bald baby scenario.
They give me creepy vibes when tint Korean cheerleaders wear them. The men who comment are always 55+.

Now you say it I’ve seen the cosplay sort of thing, the anime type look, I work in a university so see this often but never noticed the bows in particular because my eyes are drawn to the hello kitty type whole outfit / vibe.

I used to go to a lot of vintage ever / fairs - can’t remember seeing any but maybe I did.

I can’t think that I’ve ever seen the Afro braid look either

Maybe I just don’t notice it.

Ponoka7 · 14/03/2026 09:08

fluffiphlox · 14/03/2026 08:53

Was it on here that I read
‘Bow in hair, not all there’ ?

Probably, a lot of posters come out with some abelist, classist, racist, shite at times. Plus sexist, the same ones would celebrate their sons wanting a bow.

Ponoka7 · 14/03/2026 09:06

Goldmonkey · 14/03/2026 07:51

I’m intrigued by this now.

what do you wear them with? Do you dress in quite a demure / traditional way? Do you go to church / Henley regatta?

The adult women who I see wear them,
Have a goth/cosplay etc look,
Wear them when doing a vintage look,
Are women of colour and have a style pictured earlier on. They can look fabulous on afro braids in an updo. The description of 'twee' made me laugh, there's nothing twee about my black friends who occasionally use bows and flowers.
The babies in our family are born with a good head of hair (mixed heritage) so I wouldn't judge, because we haven't had a bald baby scenario.
They give me creepy vibes when tint Korean cheerleaders wear them. The men who comment are always 55+.

GoneBackToTheWorld · 14/03/2026 08:54

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

fluffiphlox · 14/03/2026 08:53

Was it on here that I read
‘Bow in hair, not all there’ ?

BeOchreDog · 14/03/2026 08:45

I have a great bow collection (also hair bands and giant scrunchies) mostly from Oliver Bonas and Anthropologie. I’d definitely accept that my style could be described as twee but I also just wear things that make me happy.

SuperMarioToadPrincessPeach · 14/03/2026 08:36

I think they look ridiculous. Giving 6 year old birthday party vibes.

Mmmchocolatebuttons · 14/03/2026 08:21

Wildgoat · 14/03/2026 07:42

You never leave your area?

No, never ever. Too scary out there.

Goldmonkey · 14/03/2026 08:20

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 14/03/2026 08:06

What a limited view you have. I wear one with a woollen roll neck jumper dress, one with jeans and a blouse and one with a black velvet suit.
Not demure but quite classically dressed and my life is more independent businesses, Arts, Museums, left wing politics, boutique hotels, travel, gym and lots of coffee.
Henley is more hats and tories believe.

Yes, classic is a much better description than demure. That’s what I envisaged. I’ve genuinely never seen this look in real life (and have lived all over the country), except my cousins who were young adults in the 90s and were church goers who played harp and taught in private schools.

Ive always lived in more working class areas or coastal, where casual is the vibe, except when I lived in Cambridge. I don’t remember seeing it there, but would always tend to gravitate towards a different type of person.

When I say I’m intrigued, I’m genuinely intrigued as it’s not something I’ve experienced in recent years and it’s being presented by some people as the norm.

HereComeTheKazoos · 14/03/2026 08:16

Some people suit them, but many people do not imo. But their hair, their choice etc so not really something to get annoyed by

Mischance · 14/03/2026 08:16

I hate them more on babies they are not dolls - I'm with you on that. I thought it was just me being a crabby old bat!

At least one baby girl has died from strangulation by these silly things.

youbizarrehorse · 14/03/2026 08:15

Why don’t you post a photo of what you wear OP and we’ll give you an honest review?😁

Stickytoffeetartt · 14/03/2026 08:14

I think they look really nice around Christmas. Also I've seen a few more casual brides wear a cream bow and they've all looked beautiful.

Defrostedmariahcarey · 14/03/2026 08:11

things I don’t like:
bags of grocery shopping costing £20
nhs waiting lists
donald trump and his cronies

Things I don’t care about:
hair accessories on strangers

who cares though really?

Linenspots · 14/03/2026 08:10

As another poster said, it's a throwback to the 80's and very much 'old money' look. I don't much like them, but to each their own and all that.

Fgfgfg · 14/03/2026 08:09

Pumpkinmagic · 14/03/2026 07:55

The few I’ve seen in person worn by adults just look really really chavvy. Although the black one in the first image on here I think looks quite pretty on the model with the low back top.

I thought bows have always been popular with the royal family. Princess Kate is often seen wearing a bow. Marie Claire regularly feature her love of bows.

https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/royals/kate-charlotte-hairbows-buckingham-palace-christmas-lunch/

Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte Twin in Coordinating Bow-Trimmed Hairstyles for Royal Christmas Lunch

Mom and daughter kept the bow trend going for The King's annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace.

https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/royals/kate-charlotte-hairbows-buckingham-palace-christmas-lunch/