Do you remember a time before bows were everywhere? It feels like everything from champagne flutes to sports socks now comes adorned with a ribbon. In 2024, bows are everywhere, even at the Paris Olympics.
Athletes from all sports are incorporating bows into their hairstyles, matching their country's colours. From Ellie Boatman, a Team GB rugby player, to American tennis superstar Coco Gauff, who paired a practical hairband with a decorative white bow at the French Open, the bow trend is in full swing.
While bows might be ubiquitous on the streets and catwalks, at the Olympics, they take on a deeper meaning. Female athletes have always had to conform to a masculine standard, but the simple addition of a ribbon helps reclaim a sense of femininity they may have been told to suppress.
"It's a sign to my younger self," says Boatman to ELLE UK. "I used to be ashamed to say I played rugby, but now I'm proud of who I am. I can be feminine and play rugby, and the bow acknowledges that."
The girly connotations of the bow, far from being redundant, instead highlight the feminine strength of elite female athletes at the Games. One might wonder if these hair accessories could be distracting during competition, but Boatman insists otherwise. "We're encouraged to show our personalities and be ourselves, and this is who I am and how I express myself on the pitch in what is considered a more 'masculine' sport," she explains.
Pre-game rituals often hold a lot of importance for athletes, with even the smallest actions becoming good luck charms. It's no surprise, then, that these trendy finishing touches play a similar role. "It's become part of my 'uniform' and I don't like playing without it," Boatman confirms. "It represents my feminine side but is also a sign of acknowledging my close circle at home who always spot me on the TV by my bow."
Female athletes have long incorporated their personalities into their competitions (think Serena Williams and her Nike x Off-White tennis tutus). But the Olympics and its strict kit rules have often meant that these fashion-forward outfits are reserved for other occasions. Bows, however, offer a subtle way for female athletes to reclaim their femininity while performing at the highest level. And, of course, the Paris Olympics has become the perfect platform for this trend to flourish.
So, next time you see an athlete sporting a bow at the Games, remember that it's more than just a pretty accessory. It's a symbol of feminine strength, individuality, and a celebration of who they are, both on and off the field.
Shop the Bow Look:
Jennifer Behr Bow Hair Clip: £144 at Farfetch (link)
Free People Red Ribbon Bow: £10 at Free People (link)
H&M Bow Hair Tie: £6 at H&M (link)
Prada Triangle Logo Bow Velvet Hair Clip: £450 at Farfetch (link)