There is something about a velvet bow that instantly makes a hairstyle feel festive. The soft texture catches the light in a way satin and grosgrain never quite manage, and the plush ribbon adds a touch of old-fashioned romance to even the simplest ponytail. This holiday season, velvet bows are everywhere — on runways, in gift wrap, and tucked into the hair of everyone from party guests to bridesmaids. The best part is how easy they are to wear. You do not need a salon appointment or complicated braiding skills. A good velvet bow, a few bobby pins, and ten minutes are enough to turn everyday hair into something worth photographing.
Velvet bows suit every hair length and texture. Short hair looks chic with a small bow clipped above one ear. Long hair drapes beautifully in a low ponytail finished with a wide burgundy ribbon. Curly hair gains a soft, romantic frame when a bow sits at the crown. The trick is choosing the right size and color for your outfit and the occasion. A slim black bow reads elegant and understated. A wide emerald or deep red bow makes a statement. Burgundy, the shade of the season, flatters nearly every skin tone and pairs beautifully with holiday greens, golds, and classic black dresses.
Below you will find seventeen velvet bow hairstyles to try this holiday season, from five-minute fixes to slightly more polished looks for Christmas dinner, office parties, and New Year’s Eve. Each one works with a single velvet bow or a pair, and most need nothing more than a hair tie, a few pins, and a little texture spray.
Classic Ponytails with a Velvet Bow
1. The Low Velvet Bow Ponytail
Gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck and secure it with a hair tie. Wrap a wide burgundy velvet bow around the base, letting the tails of the bow fall over the ponytail. Pull out two soft face-framing strands and curl them lightly. This is the easiest look on the list and one of the most flattering — it works for Christmas dinner, a family photo, or a quiet evening by the tree.
2. The High Holiday Ponytail
A high ponytail instantly feels more playful. Brush your hair up high, smooth the top with a little serum, and tie it off. Add a large black velvet bow at the base and let the ponytail fall in soft waves. For extra volume, tease the crown gently before tying. This style pairs beautifully with a sparkly top and statement earrings.
3. The Bubble Ponytail with Mini Bows
For a fun, youthful twist, create a bubble ponytail: tie your hair at the nape, then add small elastics every few inches down the length, puffing each section out slightly. Tuck a tiny velvet bow at each elastic. Use matching bows in one color, or mix burgundy and black for a richer look. It is a lovely choice for a holiday brunch or a casual gift exchange.
Soft Buns and Twists
4. The Low Chignon with a Velvet Bow
A low chignon is the most elegant way to wear a velvet bow. Twist your hair into a loose bun at the nape, pin it in place, and set a medium velvet bow just above or to the side of the bun. Keep a few wisps loose around your face for softness. Emerald green velvet looks especially striking against dark hair in this style.
5. The Messy Bow Bun
Not every holiday look needs to be polished. Gather your hair into a loose, slightly messy bun at the crown and secure it with pins. Place a velvet bow at the front edge of the bun, slightly off-center. The contrast between the relaxed bun and the plush bow feels effortless and modern. It is a great pick for a cozy Christmas morning or a relaxed evening with friends.
6. The Twisted Side Bun
Part your hair deeply to one side, sweep it across, and twist it into a low side bun. Anchor a velvet bow where the twist meets the bun. This style shows off the bow from the front, which makes it a good choice for photos. A deep red bow against dark hair, or a black bow against blonde hair, gives a lovely color contrast.
7. The French Twist with a Bow Finish
The French twist is a classic for a reason, and a velvet bow gives it a fresh, festive finish. Roll your hair into a twist, pin it securely, and place a slim velvet bow at the top of the twist. Keep the bow narrow so it reads as a refined accent rather than a costume piece. This look suits formal holiday dinners and New Year’s Eve parties.
Half-Up Hairstyles
8. The Half-Up Bow with Soft Waves
This is the hairstyle most people picture when they think of velvet bows. Curl your hair into loose waves, take the top half, and tie it back with a velvet bow. The bow sits at the crown, the waves fall freely, and the whole look feels soft and romantic. Burgundy is the natural choice here, but a forest green bow works beautifully with a red dress.
9. The Half-Up Top Knot with a Bow
Take a small section from the crown and twist it into a tiny top knot. Place a velvet bow right beneath the knot, so it peeks out from under the twist. The rest of your hair stays down in waves or straight strands. It is a sweet, slightly playful look that works well for a holiday party or a winter wedding.
10. The Half-Up Braided Crown with a Bow
Braid two small sections from either side of your head and bring them together at the back, tying them with a velvet bow. The braids form a soft crown, and the bow becomes the centerpiece. This style flatters wavy and curly hair especially well, since the texture keeps the braids soft rather than stiff.
Braids and Romantic Details
11. The Side Braid Finished with a Bow
Braid your hair over one shoulder, keeping the braid loose and a little messy. Tie the end with a velvet bow instead of a plain elastic. Pull a few strands loose around your face and at the nape. A wide bow at the end of a braid looks charming and a little storybook, and it is one of the easiest styles to do on yourself.
12. The Double Braids with Matching Bows
Part your hair down the middle and make two loose braids, one on each side. Finish each braid with a small matching velvet bow. This look feels youthful and festive without trying too hard. Keep the bows small so the style stays chic rather than childish.
13. The Fishtail Braid with a Velvet Bow
A fishtail braid has a beautiful woven texture that pairs perfectly with plush velvet. Braid your hair loosely down your back, tie it off, and wrap a velvet bow around the end. For a fuller braid, gently pull at the edges of each section. The result is romantic, detailed, and well suited to a holiday evening out.
Short Hair and Special Touches
14. The Short Bob with a Side Bow
Short hair and velvet bows are a perfect match. Style your bob with soft waves or a smooth blowout, then clip a small velvet bow just above one ear. The bow adds a festive accent without overwhelming the cut. Black velvet is the most versatile choice, but a deep red bow makes a lovely statement against blonde or light brown hair.
15. The Curly Crown Bow
If you have curly hair, let your curls do the work. Pull the front sections back loosely and secure them at the crown with a velvet bow, leaving the rest of your curls free. The bow sits like a soft jewel in the curls, and the volume of the hair keeps it secure without many pins. Use a wide bow so it stays visible in the curls.
16. The Sleek Straight Look with a Bow Barrette
Sometimes the simplest look is the most striking. Straighten your hair until it is smooth and glossy, part it in the middle, and clip a velvet bow barrette on one side. The contrast between sleek hair and soft velvet is quietly luxurious. This is a wonderful choice for a formal event where you want your outfit and makeup to take the lead.
17. The Velvet Bow Headband Style
For a look that feels like a headband, part your hair in the middle, smooth the top, and place a large velvet bow at the crown, pinning it flat so it sits like a bow-shaped headband. The rest of your hair can be worn down in waves or pulled into a low ponytail. It is a bold, fashion-forward way to wear a bow, and it photographs beautifully.
Tips for Wearing Velvet Bows
Choose the right size for your hair. Fine hair looks best with slim or medium bows, while thick hair can carry a wide, dramatic bow. Match the bow to your outfit rather than your hair color — burgundy with green, black with anything, emerald with gold jewelry. Keep the rest of your accessories simple when the bow is large, so the look stays balanced.
Secure the bow properly. A bow clipped to smooth, slippery hair will slide out within an hour. Add a little texture spray or dry shampoo at the roots first, and use bobby pins in a crisscross pattern through the bow’s knot. If you are wearing the bow on a ponytail, wrap the ribbon around the hair tie and pin the knot itself to the tie, not just to the hair.
Think about the fabric of your outfit. Velvet on velvet can look heavy, so if your dress is velvet, choose a smaller bow or wear it in a contrasting texture. A velvet bow looks wonderful against silk, satin, wool, and sequins. And if you are buying bows, invest in real velvet rather than shiny imitation — the soft, matte pile is what makes the look feel expensive.
Finding Your Holiday Bow Look
Velvet bows are one of those rare trends that suit almost everyone. They are inexpensive, easy to style, and instantly festive. Whether you choose a low ponytail for Christmas dinner, a half-up style for a party, or a simple side bow for a quiet evening at home, the velvet bow does the work of making the look feel special. Try one of these seventeen styles this season, and keep a spare bow in your bag — it is the quickest way to turn an ordinary hairstyle into a holiday one.
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Pair your velvet bow look with more seasonal inspiration: try these Thanksgiving hairstyles for a soft family-dinner look, add a festive finishing touch with these pink Christmas nails, or go bold with burgundy Christmas nails to match your velvet bow.
