Kate and Charlotte’s Matching Festive Hair Bows: A UK Style Moment

For anyone who treats December as the season of polished blow-dries, velvet headbands and a diary full of Christmas plans, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte just offered a very wearable inspiration: a coordinated, bow-finished hairstyle paired with festive red looks at the royal family’s pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. Reported by People, the mother-and-daughter twinning moment is a reminder that the simplest accessories often photograph best — and they work brilliantly across ages.

While royal fashion headlines tend to focus on hemlines and heritage jewellery, hair is often the quieter storyteller — signalling tradition, practicality and a certain brand of British occasion-dressing. In this case, neat, glossy lengths and statement bows created a “finished” effect without looking over-styled, a balance many UK stylists recommend for winter events where indoor heating, rain and coat collars can quickly undo more complicated styling.

The festive bow revival (and why it’s everywhere right now)

Hair bows have cycled in and out of fashion for decades, but they’ve taken on fresh momentum in recent winters thanks to a wider “quiet glamour” mood: accessories that feel considered, slightly nostalgic and easy to wear from day to night. A bow also does something clever in seasonal photos — it frames the face, adds colour near the complexion, and reads as celebratory even on a simple hairstyle.

In the UK, where Christmas socialising can swing from office parties to school nativities to family lunches in a single week, a bow fits neatly into the practical style brief: it’s small enough to live in your handbag, quick to apply, and it upgrades hair that isn’t freshly washed (particularly if you position it where hair tends to flatten or separate).

• High impact, low effort: It instantly signals “occasion” without requiring heat tools.
• Weather-friendly: It looks intentional even if your ends frizz slightly in drizzle.
• Camera-ready: It adds colour and structure around the face in photos.
• All ages, many textures: It can finish straight, wavy, curly and coily looks — with the right fastening.

How to recreate the look: salon polish, at-home simplicity

The reported look is classic and uncomplicated: smooth, brushed-through lengths with a bow placed to look tidy and symmetrical. For most people, the make-or-break point is not the bow itself but the preparation — flyaways, static and the “collar crease” that appears when hair rubs against knitwear and wool coats.

Try this practical, stylist-approved approach before a festive lunch, a school concert or a dinner date:

• Start with a clean parting: Use the tail of a comb and set it with a light mist of flexible-hold spray on the roots (spray onto the comb first if you’re cautious about build-up).
• Smooth without overloading: Apply a tiny amount of lightweight serum or cream through mid-lengths and ends. Less is more, especially under flash photography.
• Secure with intention: For fine hair, choose a bow on a crocodile clip or barrette with grip; for thicker hair, a larger clip or a bow over an elastic can distribute tension more comfortably.
• Hide the “mechanics”: If you’re using a ponytail or half-up elastic, wrap a small section of hair around it and pin underneath, then place the bow above to create a seamless finish.
• Finish for longevity: Use a soft brush to lay flyaways and, if needed, a dab of wax stick or edge-control product applied with fingertips (avoid heavy application at the hairline).

Real-world tip: pop a spare set of pins and a small clip in your bag. If the bow shifts during travel — especially on the Tube or in a taxi with a headrest — you’ll be able to reset it in seconds.

Choosing the right bow: proportion, placement and hair health

Not all bows behave the same. Some are ultra-light and designed for fine hair; others are heavier, with long tails that can tug or slip. The goal is to make the accessory feel like an extension of your hairstyle — secure but comfortable, especially if you’ll be wearing it for hours.

Many professional stylists suggest thinking about three factors:

• Proportion: Petite bows suit shorter hair and half-up styles; oversized bows work best with longer hair or a sleeker silhouette so they don’t overwhelm.
• Placement: A bow can sit at the crown (adds height), behind the ear (soft and modern), or at the base of a ponytail (classic). Choose a placement that complements your face shape and outfit neckline.
• Fastening and tension: Clips should grip without scraping the scalp. If you feel pulling, reposition or switch to a softer elastic to reduce stress on the hairline.

If you’re wearing bows frequently through party season, it’s also worth rotating where you place them. Repeated tension in the same spot can contribute to breakage over time — a point trichologists and dermatologists often raise more broadly when discussing tight hairstyles. Keep it comfortable, and avoid yanking clips out at the end of the night; instead, support the hair with one hand as you release the clasp.

Making it modern: updates for different hair types and occasions

The charm of a royal-adjacent hair moment is that it’s easy to adapt. You can keep the same spirit — polished, festive, understated — while tailoring the execution to your texture, length and lifestyle.

• If you have curls: Try a half-up placement so the bow frames your face while your natural texture remains the star. Smooth only the sections you’re securing, not the full head.
• If you wear protective styles: A bow can work beautifully with braids or twists — attach it to a band rather than clipping directly onto hair for a more secure, low-friction finish.
• If you have a bob or lob: Go for a smaller bow and position it slightly off-centre, or tuck one side behind the ear to create a clean line.
• For work-to-dinner: Keep hair down during the day, then add a bow to a quick half-up twist in the evening for an instant “after-hours” upgrade.
• For children (and busy mornings): A pre-tied bow on a sturdy barrette is often the easiest route — add it after brushing and you’re done.

Winter-specific note: static can make bows and flyaways look messy. If you struggle with this, consider switching to a natural-bristle brush and using a very small amount of anti-frizz product on the surface layer. And if you’re wearing wool, try to keep hair either fully over the coat collar or fully under it, rather than half-and-half, which tends to create friction and kinks.

Key Takeaways

• Festive hair bows are back because they’re high-impact, photo-friendly and easy to wear across ages and occasions.
• A clean parting, light smoothing product and the right fastening make the difference between “pretty” and “polished”.
• Choose bow size and placement to suit your hair length, outfit neckline and comfort — no tugging at the hairline.
• For curls, coils and protective styles, focus on gentle securing methods that minimise friction and tension.
• For your next event, pack spare pins and a small clip so you can reset your style after travel in under a minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hair bows suitable for adults, or do they look too youthful?
They can look very grown-up when styled with sleek lengths, a low ponytail or a simple half-up look. Choosing a bow in satin, velvet or grosgrain and keeping the placement clean helps it feel refined rather than childlike.

What’s the easiest hairstyle to pair with a bow for a Christmas event?
A half-up style is the most foolproof: it lifts hair away from the face, holds well through dinner, and gives you a natural “anchor point” for the clip or barrette.

How do I stop a bow clip from slipping on fine hair?
Backcomb very lightly at the attachment point (just a small section), then mist the area with flexible-hold spray and clip into that slightly textured base. Avoid over-teasing; you want grip, not tangles.

Can I wear a bow with curly or coily hair without flattening volume?
Yes. Place the bow over a half-up section or at the top of a puff or ponytail, and only smooth the sections you’re securing. This keeps your volume and curl pattern intact.

Will wearing bows frequently damage my hair?
Accessories can contribute to breakage if they pull tightly, snag, or sit in the same place daily. Use smooth fastenings, keep tension comfortable, and alternate placement throughout the week.

What if I don’t have time to style — can I still make a bow work?
Absolutely. Brush through, tidy your parting, then clip a bow onto a quick half-up twist. It’s one of the fastest ways to look “done” in under two minutes.