The Bow Tattoo Trend Is About to Be Everywhere in 2024

We have all the cute inspo you need.

First, they came for our hairstyles, popping up on ponytails, braids, and buns. Then, they started showing up on our outfits, from the most casual jeans-and-a-T looks to frilly coquette cupcake dresses. Now, bows are so beloved, they’re making it permanent, as one of the biggest (and cutest) tattoo trends of the year so far.

Just as a beautiful gift isn’t complete without a bow on top, your tattoo collection may be craving that little touch of sweetness only a prettily tied ribbon can provide. Ahead, learn more about the bow tattoo trend and get some inspo in the meantime.

The Trend

The popularity of the bow tattoo is directly tied to its dominance in the fashion world; when you’re seeing bows on bags, buns, and your favorite celebrities, it’s really only a matter of time until you think about adding one to your skin.

“As balletcore [and coquettecore] are trending in fashion, it’s directly reflected in tattoo trends, because more and more people seem to see tattoos as an accessory to match their style,” says New York City-based tattoo artist Ariel Wei, who has designed several bow tattoos over the past year.

Like hearts, stars, birds, and flowers before it, the bow feels sweet and soft, but also classic and timeless—the kind of tattoo you’ll love today, but won’t look back on and cringe about in ten years. (Cough cough, 2010s mustache finger tats.) Bows also harken back to childhood days playing dress-up with dolls and taking ballet lessons, which makes them feel nostalgic and a bit bittersweet, as though your younger self is living out their grown-up dreams.

The bow is inherently girly, but it suits a variety of personal styles. “The bow itself is already cute and pretty, so it goes along with everything,” says Wei. “You can have a sexy outfit with a bow tattoo, go grunge with a bow… the bow just makes everything more unique and epic.” Wei notes that she’s seen an uptick in requests for bow-centric tattoos. “I’m definitely getting more requests than years before,” she shares.

Celebrities have the gotten bow bug too; Hailey Bieber got a a miniscule bow in late 2023, and musician Madison Beer has a slightly larger one on the top of her hand, almost like a piece of jewelry. We have a feeling there will be plenty more bow tattoos popping up throughout the year, given that the accessory itself shows absolutely zero signs of fading away.

How to Wear a Bow Tattoo

Bow tattoos are a great option for your first tattoo or your fifty seventh. They’re infinitely customizable, from color and texture to size and placement. Wei likes them on the arms or the center of the chest, but they really work anywhere and everywhere. Two bows on the backs of the thighs, right below the butt, is a popular design with a pinup vibe, while a delicate, finely drawn bow on the hand or near the wrist feels ethereal and elegant. Bows look gorgeous on the shoulder, near the collarbone, and pretty much everything else.

Bows can also be incorporated into an existing design or as part of a larger tattoo, paired with birds or butterflies, as part of a jewelry motif, or added into a sentimental tribute tattoo. You can request classic black and white or add color, add detail with shading or stick to a simple outline. They can be eeny-weeny like Bieber’s or as big and bold as you want. Need some ideas? Just keep reading.

Bow Tattoo Inspiration

Black Bow Tattoo

Simple perfection. A slim black bow right above the elbow can be hidden if needed and could easily be the base of a half- or full-sleeve tattoo, but is beautiful on its own.

Pink Bow Tattoo

The little pearl-like bubbles on either side of this classic, simple bow add an extra layer of sweetness. If you want something more than just a bow, consider adding a few surrounding details for extra interest.

Bow and Butterfly

We love the interplay of this classic black bow and realistic butterfly. The pairing feels so natural!

Bow Hand Tattoo

A hand placement feels both delicate and statement-making at the same time. We love how this design incorporates text, stars, and small pearls.

Bow Portrait Tattoo

For a twist on the bow trend, consider adding it to another design, like this gorgeous rear-facing portrait with a ribbon detail.

Bracelet Bow Tattoo

Madison Beer’s bow tattoo is so delicate and finely drawn, it almost looks like a piece of jewelry. We’d love to see how it looks when paired with a wristful of bracelets.

Baby Bow Tattoo

Want something really teeny? Consider a baby bow in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it location. It’s the easiest way to dip your toes into the trend.

Edgy Bow Tattoo

This cuff-style bow is pretty and feminine at first glance, but the ribbons give way to chains on either side, adding a bit of toughness.

Sleek Bow Tattoo

Shorten the "tails" of the bow for something that feels a little less feminine and more classic. Paired with crisp black ink, you have a timeless design that will outlast the coquette trend.

Read the original article on Byrdie.