Why I Love the Black Girls in Bows Trend

Pink bows, red bows, ribbons with grace—Black girls are reclaiming their space.

From classrooms to runways, the “bow trend” is more than just fashion for black women; they’re a movement of femininity and power.

along as I explore the deeper history behind the bow trend, uncovering how it symbolizes Black women’s reclamation of femininity and youthfulness.

The revival of bows taps into a deeper historical narrative. Both historically and in modern-day, Black women have been denied full expression of their femininity in many settings.

First, and usually experienced earliest is in their households. It is no secret that Black girls are often raised to survive instead of live, and raised to nurture & attend the the needs of others before their own. This emphasis on self-sacrifice and survival can prematurely age their ability to embrace and enjoy their youthfulness.

Further, because Black girls are often forced to grow up so quickly, it can manifest in them "acting" older than their years. This accelerated growth is not merely a result of personal choice but rather a response to the circumstances imposed upon them. In an attempt to meet societal and familial expectations, Black girls may adopt behaviors and styles that reflect an older persona. For example, they might choose fashion that is more sophisticated or adopt a serious demeanor as a way to align with the roles they have been given. But can we really blame them for adapting in this way? They are simply responding to the demands placed upon them, shaping their persona to fit their experiences. Understanding this context is essential for recognizing why they might gravitate towards more mature expressions.

Next, Black women have been striped of the femininity due to historical stereotypes. Black women are often portrayed as strong, resilient, and tenacious (all of which we are; but sometimes people don’t recognize the ability for their to be a nuance in strength and softness.) These attributes have been used to deny Black women the right to be delicate, carefree, or nurtured, portraying them as less in need of protection and care.

As Black women navigate these challenges, reclaiming elements of their youth, like embracing playful fashion trends such as bows, becomes a powerful form of self-expression and a way to reconnect with the joy and youthfulness often denied to them.

Black women embracing bows, a typically youthful and girly accessory, challenges the stereotypes and limitations we face. We are reclaiming our femininity and youthfulness. Black girls, so often expected to exhibit strength and resilience, are choosing to express their softness, their beauty, and their girlhood in a way that centers their desires and identities. By incorporating bows into their style, they are taking control of how they want to present themselves to the world—free from the stereotypes that attempt to define them. This act of reclamation allows them to redefine what it means to be feminine, asserting that they have the right to explore all dimensions of their identity, including the delicate and youthful sides.

The bow trend is more than just fashion—it’s a reclamation of the femininity and youth Black women have long been denied. By embracing bows, we’re asserting our right to be both strong and soft, powerful and playful.