There is something about a velvet bow in winter that just works. The fabric catches low light beautifully, it feels soft against a wool coat collar, and it turns even a rushed ponytail into something that looks planned. Unlike satin, velvet has grip, so it stays put instead of sliding out halfway through the day.
This season, velvet bows are showing up everywhere, from holiday parties to everyday school runs and office days. The trick is picking the right size and placement for your hair type and the occasion. A giant bow on fine hair can overwhelm it, while a tiny bow can disappear into thick curls. Below are twelve ideas covering short hair, long hair, curls, and braids, so you can find one that fits your routine.
1Classic Low Ponytail with a Black Velvet Bow
Gather your hair at the nape of your neck and secure it with a snag-free elastic, then smooth the top with a light mist of hairspray. Tie a medium black velvet bow around the base of the ponytail and let the tails fall just past your shoulders. This suits almost everyone, especially women with straight or slightly wavy hair who want a polished look in under five minutes. It works for the office, dinner, or a winter wedding guest outfit. Maintenance is minimal, just re-tie the bow if it loosens. The drawback is that velvet can crease if you sleep in it, and cheaper bows may shed tiny fibres onto dark coats, so keep a lint roller handy.
2Half-Up Twist with a Burgundy Velvet Bow
Take two sections from the front of your hair, twist each one back toward the crown, and pin them together in the middle. Cover the pins with a burgundy velvet bow for a rich winter colour that flatters warm skin tones. This style suits medium to long hair, wavy or straight, and it keeps hair out of your face while leaving length loose. It holds well for a full evening with two bobby pins crossed underneath the bow. The downside is that very fine hair may need texturising spray first, or the twists can slip. Velvet bows in deep colours can also fade slightly after repeated washing, so spot clean rather than machine washing them.
3High Ponytail with an Oversized Emerald Bow
Brush your hair up high, secure it firmly, and wrap a wide emerald velvet bow around the base for instant drama. This is a great party look, and it suits thick hair best because the volume balances the size of the bow. If your hair is fine, backcomb the ponytail lightly for extra fullness before adding the bow. It pairs beautifully with a simple black dress and gold earrings. Maintenance is easy during the day, but a high ponytail can give you a headache if it is pulled too tight, so keep the elastic firm but not painful. Large velvet bows cost more than small clips, and they need storage space so they do not get crushed in a drawer.
4Low Messy Bun with a Small Navy Bow
Twist your hair into a loose low bun, pull out a few face-framing strands, and clip a small navy velvet bow just above the bun. This is the kind of style that looks effortless on a cold morning, and it suits second-day hair perfectly because the texture helps it hold. It works for oval and round faces, and the navy shade is softer than black against winter coats. You will need a few pins to keep the bun secure in wind. The drawback is that messy buns can unravel in strong weather, so carry two spare pins. Small bows are inexpensive, but they can get lost easily, so keep yours in a small pouch.
5Side Braid Finished with a Velvet Bow
Braid your hair loosely to one side, starting behind one ear and working down over your shoulder. Tie the end with a clear elastic, then cover it with a velvet bow in wine red or forest green. This suits long hair of any texture, and it is especially lovely on wavy hair where the braid looks soft rather than severe. It is a practical winter choice because it keeps hair contained under a scarf without tangling as much. The upkeep is low, just re-braid if pieces loosen. The downside is that braiding takes practice, and tight braids left in all day can cause breakage at the ends, so keep the braid loose and take it out before bed.
6Sleek Straight Hair with a Bow Barrette
Straighten your hair in sections, add a centre or side part, and clip a velvet bow barrette on one side just above the ear. This is a clean, minimal look that suits fine to medium straight hair and works well for work or formal events. The bow becomes the whole accessory, so skip heavy earrings and let it stand out. Use a heat protectant before straightening to prevent winter dryness from getting worse. Maintenance is the tricky part, since humidity and hats can undo sleek hair quickly. The barrette itself is affordable, but you will spend more time on heat styling, and daily straightening can dry out ends over time without regular trims and conditioning.
7Curly Half-Up Pony with a Cream Velvet Bow
Pull the top half of your curls up into a loose ponytail, leaving the rest free, and tie a cream velvet bow at the join. Cream velvet looks soft against dark curls and adds a festive touch without overpowering natural texture. This suits curly and coily hair particularly well because the bow sits on top of the volume instead of fighting it. Use a curl cream first so the loose curls stay defined. The drawback is that cream shows dirt and makeup marks faster than dark colours, so it needs gentle hand washing. You may also need a stronger elastic for thick curls, and the bow can shift if the ponytail is too heavy, so anchor it with a pin.
8French Twist with a Vintage Velvet Bow
Smooth your hair back, twist it upward into a classic French twist, pin it firmly, and place a small velvet bow at the base of the twist. This is an elegant evening look that suits medium to long hair and works for weddings, holiday dinners, and formal photos. It flatters longer necks and looks best with a few soft strands left loose at the front. You will need practice or a stylist for a neat result, and plenty of pins for thick hair. The downside is that a French twist can feel tight after several hours, and taking it down roughly can cause tangles. A quality velvet bow for this style may cost a little more, but it lasts for seasons if stored flat.
9Double Low Pigtails with Matching Velvet Bows
Part your hair down the middle, make two low ponytails behind your ears, and tie a matching velvet bow on each one. This playful winter look suits younger women and anyone going for a cute, casual vibe, and it works on straight, wavy, and lightly curled hair. It is also a smart choice for cold days because the low placement sits comfortably under a beanie or hood. Keep the bows the same size so the look stays balanced. Maintenance is simple, but pigtails can look uneven if your part is crooked, so take a moment to check in the mirror. Buying two identical bows costs a bit more, and smaller bows can slip on silky hair without a textured elastic underneath.
10Bubble Ponytail with a Velvet Bow at the Base
Make a high or mid ponytail, add elastics every few inches down the length, and gently pull each section outward to create bubbles. Finish by tying a velvet bow at the top base where the ponytail starts. This suits long, thick hair best because you need length to show the bubbles clearly. It is a fun party style that photographs well and holds up through dancing. The drawback is that it takes longer than a regular ponytail, around fifteen minutes, and removing multiple elastics can tug at fine hair. Use snag-free elastics and a light hairspray to keep flyaways down. Velvet bows in a contrasting colour, like red on dark hair, make the whole style pop.
11Short Bob with a Side Velvet Bow Clip
If you have a bob or lob, clip a small velvet bow on one side, just above the ear, and tuck the other side behind your ear. This simple addition turns an everyday cut into a holiday-ready look, and it suits straight and wavy bobs equally well. Add a little texturising spray for grip so the clip does not slide out of smooth hair. It is ideal for women who do not want a full updo but still want something festive. The downside is that clip bows can slip on freshly washed, silky hair, so style on day-old hair or use dry shampoo at the roots. Clip bows are cheap, but very cheap clips can snag fine strands, so check the clasp before buying.
12Braided Crown with a Velvet Bow at the Back
Braid two sections from either side of your head, bring them around the back like a crown, pin them in place, and add a velvet bow where the braids meet. This romantic winter style suits medium to long hair and looks beautiful at holiday gatherings and winter photoshoots. It keeps hair completely off your neck, which is handy under heavy coats and scarves. You will need some braiding skill and several pins, and a mirror or a friend helps for the back section. The drawback is time, since this can take twenty minutes or more, and the style can loosen if your hair is very silky. A medium velvet bow in black, burgundy, or green finishes it without stealing attention from the braids.
How to Style and Care for Velvet Bow Hairstyles
Velvet looks best when your hair is not too slippery, so style on day-old hair or add dry shampoo or texturising spray at the roots first. Always anchor a bow with at least one bobby pin, even if it has a clip, because winter wind and coat collars can pull it loose. Finish with a light flexible hairspray rather than a heavy one, which can dull the velvet.
Take care of the bows themselves too. Spot clean velvet with a damp cloth and let it air dry flat, and store bows in a box or pouch so they do not get crushed. Avoid wearing velvet bows in heavy rain, since wet velvet can mark and lose its soft pile. In winter, protect your hair from dryness with a leave-in conditioner and trims every eight weeks, so the styles above sit smoothly instead of catching on damaged ends.
What size velvet bow should I choose for my hair?
Match the bow to your hair volume. Small bows suit fine hair and short cuts, medium bows work for most medium and long styles, and oversized bows need thick or long hair to balance them. If you are unsure, start with a medium bow, since it works for ponytails, half-up styles, and buns.
Can I wear a velvet bow every day in winter?
Yes, velvet bows are gentle enough for daily wear as long as you vary your hairstyle and do not pull hair tightly in the same spot every day. Rotate between ponytails, buns, and loose styles to avoid tension, and give your hair a break from elastics overnight. Replace the bow if its clip or elastic starts snagging strands.
Do velvet bows work on curly or coily hair?
They work very well, because velvet grips textured hair naturally and does not slide the way satin does. Choose a bow with a strong clip, or tie it with an elastic rather than relying on a weak barrette. For very thick curls, use a larger bow so it stays visible, and pin it in two places so the weight of your hair does not pull it out.
How do I keep a velvet bow from slipping out?
Start with slightly textured hair, using dry shampoo or texturising spray if your hair is freshly washed and silky. Secure your base style firmly first, then pin the bow through both the bow and your hair with a bobby pin matching your hair colour. For ponytails, wrap the bow around the elastic and pin underneath so the pin is hidden.
Which velvet bow colours are best for winter?
Cream and blush work for lighter looks and festive photos, while emerald and wine red add a bold pop against dark hair. If you buy just one, choose black, since it matches almost everything and hides wear better than pale colours.
Keep exploring
If you liked these velvet bow hairstyles for winter, check out hair bow hairstyles, Christmas hair bow hairstyles, holiday party hairstyles for more ideas.
