Velvet bow hairstyles for Christmas party women are the festive look of the season, and it is easy to see why. The bow is back, in velvet, for Christmas, in your hair. A velvet bow is soft, rich and unmistakably festive, and it turns even the simplest hairstyle into a party look in seconds. You do not need a complicated updo, a curling iron marathon, or a salon appointment to wear one. A low ponytail, a half-up style, a bun or even a short bob, all look instantly more festive with a velvet bow on top. In this guide you will find thirteen festive looks with a bow on top, advice on choosing the right bow, how to wear it on different lengths, and which colours work best, so you can find the bow that fits your party, your outfit and your hair.
The Bow Is Back for Christmas
Bows have been building as a fashion trend all year, and Christmas is their moment. Bow stacking drove a huge jump in bow searches, and bows are now a defining holiday accessory, from dresses and shoes to hair. A velvet bow in your hair is the easiest way to join the trend, because it needs no new outfit, no new shoes, and no new makeup. It works with the dress you already own, it works with the hair you already have, and it takes seconds to put in. That is why velvet bow hairstyles for Christmas party women are so popular this season: they are festive, they are flattering, and they are effortless. A velvet bow also photographs beautifully, because the soft, matte texture of velvet catches the light without shining, and the bow itself creates a focal point that draws the eye to your hair and your face.
Why Velvet, Why Now
Velvet is the fabric of the season, and it is the right fabric for a Christmas hair bow for several reasons. Velvet is soft and rich, with a depth that satin and grosgrain do not have, and it looks expensive even in a small bow. It also holds its shape well, so a velvet bow will not flop or go limp halfway through an evening, the way a thin ribbon can. Velvet is warm to the touch and warm to look at, which suits a winter party, a velvet dress, and a cosy, festive mood. And velvet bows come in the colours of Christmas: black, burgundy, deep green, and a soft, dusty rose that suits almost every outfit. If you are buying one bow for the season, make it velvet, make it in a colour that suits your wardrobe, and make it big enough to be seen, but not so big that it overwhelms your hair.
Bow Stacking and the 2026 Bow Trend
Bow stacking is the trend of wearing more than one bow, or of pairing a bow with other accessories, and it is a fun, festive way to wear a velvet bow at Christmas. The key to bow stacking is to keep it deliberate: one large bow in your hair, with a smaller bow on a bag or a shoe, or a bow in your hair with a bow on your dress, will look coordinated rather than crowded. Do not wear three large bows at once, or the look will feel like a costume rather than a party outfit. A velvet bow in your hair, with a simple outfit and a little sparkle elsewhere, is usually enough. The bow trend is also a reminder that hair accessories are back in a big way, after years of minimalism, and that a single, well-chosen accessory can do more than an elaborate hairstyle. A velvet bow is the easiest, most festive accessory you can wear this Christmas.
Choosing Your Velvet Bow
Choosing the right velvet bow is more important than choosing the hairstyle to wear it with, because the bow is the focal point. The size, the colour and the way the bow is attached will all change how it looks, and a bow that is too big, too small, or the wrong colour can spoil an otherwise lovely hairstyle. Start with size: a large bow suits long, thick hair, where it has enough hair to balance it, while a smaller bow suits short or fine hair, where a large bow can overwhelm the style. Then think about colour, and choose a bow that suits your outfit, your hair colour, and your skin tone. Then think about how the bow attaches: a clip, a barrette, or a bow tied onto a hair tie, and make sure it is secure, because a bow that falls out halfway through the evening is worse than no bow at all. A bobby pin behind the bow, crossed over the clip, will keep it in place all night.
Size Matters: Big, Medium or Small
Bow size should be in proportion to your hair and your head. A large, statement bow, about the size of your hand, suits long, thick hair and a party outfit, where it can be the focal point. A medium bow, about the size of a credit card, suits most hair lengths and most parties, and it is the safest first choice if you have never worn a bow before. A small bow, about the size of a coin, suits short hair, fine hair, and a more understated look, where you want a hint of festive rather than a statement. If you are unsure, try a medium bow first, and look at yourself in a mirror from a distance, not just up close, because a bow that looks perfect up close can look too small or too large from across a room. And remember that the bow should be visible from the front, not just from the back, so place it where you can see it when you look in a mirror.
Clip, Barrette or Tied Bow
How a velvet bow attaches to your hair matters as much as how it looks. A clip bow is the easiest to put in and take out, and it suits most hairstyles, from a ponytail to a half-up style. A barrette bow is more secure, because it grips a larger section of hair, and it suits thick hair and updos. A tied bow, where a length of velvet ribbon is tied into a bow around a ponytail or a bun, looks the most romantic and the most handmade, but it takes a little practice to tie neatly, and it can come undone if it is not secured with a pin. Whichever type you choose, test it at home before the party, wear it for an hour, and make sure it is comfortable and secure. A bow that pulls, slips or hurts will not stay in all evening, however beautiful it looks at the start.
Half-Up With a Bow
Half-up with a bow is the most popular velvet bow hairstyle for Christmas, and it is easy to see why. Take the top section of your hair, from temple to temple, pull it back, and secure it with a velvet bow, leaving the rest of the hair long and wavy. The bow sits at the crown, where it is visible from the front and the back, and the long hair underneath keeps the look soft and romantic. This style works on almost every long and medium hair type, it takes under five minutes, and it is easy to refresh at a party: simply re-pin the top section and straighten the bow. The half-up bow also suits a festive dress, a high neckline, and a winter coat, because the bow sits above the collar and is not hidden by a scarf. For a half-up style that holds all evening, start with a little mousse for grip, and use a strong clip or a barrette bow, not a loose tie.
The Classic Half-Up Bow
The classic half-up bow is simple: a top section pulled back, a velvet bow at the crown, and the rest of the hair left long and wavy. To make it, divide the hair at the temples, gather the top section, and secure it with a small hair tie. Then clip the velvet bow over the tie, so the tie is hidden and the bow looks as if it is holding the hair itself. Leave the rest of the hair with a loose wave, made with a large-barrel iron and brushed out, and add a little shine spray. The classic half-up bow suits a burgundy or black velvet bow, a simple dress, and a red lip, and it is the look to choose if you have never worn a bow before, because it is flattering, festive and very easy to do.
Half-Up Bow Variations
Once you can make a classic half-up bow, you can vary it in several festive ways. A half-up bow with a braid, where a small braid runs along the top section before it is pulled back, looks intricate and romantic. A half-up bow with curls, where the long hair underneath is curled into soft, bouncy curls, looks glamorous and party-ready. A half-up bow with a side part, where the top section is pulled back to one side, looks modern and asymmetric. A half-up bow with a velvet headband, where the bow and the headband work together, looks coordinated and festive. Whichever variation you choose, keep the same principles: a secure top section, a bow that is visible from the front, and long hair underneath that is soft and shiny. And remember that a half-up bow is one of the few party styles that actually looks better as the evening goes on, softening gently rather than falling apart.
Thirteen Festive Looks With a Bow on Top
Here are the thirteen velvet bow hairstyles for Christmas party women that work best this season, grouped so you can find your starting point quickly. Each one is festive, each one is designed to be worn with a velvet bow, and each one works on real hair. Save the ones you love, try your favourite the day before the party, and keep a spare bobby pin in your bag, just in case the bow needs a quick fix. That way you can enjoy the evening instead of worrying about your hair.
Looks 1 to 5: Half-Up, Ponytail and Classic Bows
Look one is the classic half-up bow, with the top section pulled back and a burgundy velvet bow at the crown, the most wearable look in this guide. Look two is the low ponytail with a black velvet bow, where the bow hides the hair tie and turns a simple ponytail into a party style. Look three is the high ponytail with a bow, where the bow sits at the top of a sleek, high ponytail, modern and confident. Look four is the bow on a bun, where a velvet bow is pinned to a low, soft bun, elegant and timeless. Look five is the bow on short hair, where a small velvet bow is clipped to the side of a bob, proving that short hair can wear a bow beautifully. All five are low-risk, high-reward choices, and all five take under ten minutes once you have practised them once.
Looks 6 to 9: Buns, Braids and Textured Bows
Look six is the low bun with a deep green velvet bow, a festive, elegant choice that pairs beautifully with a velvet dress. Look seven is the braided bow look, where a loose braid is finished with a small velvet bow at the end, romantic and pretty. Look eight is the half-up bow with curls, where the long hair underneath is curled into soft, bouncy curls, glamorous and party-ready. Look nine is the textured, messy bun with a bow, where the bun is left a little loose and undone, and the bow adds the festive finish. These four looks are all about texture and softness, and they prove that a velvet bow does not need a perfect hairstyle to look beautiful. In fact, a little softness usually makes the bow look more romantic and more like you.
Looks 10 to 13: Short Hair, Evening and Colour
Look ten is the bow on a pixie cut, where a small velvet bow is clipped to the side, a confident, chic choice that pairs beautifully with a bold lip. Look eleven is the bow with vintage waves, where deep, brushed-out waves are finished with a black velvet bow, glamorous and old Hollywood. Look twelve is the bow with a headband, where a velvet bow and a velvet headband work together for a coordinated, festive look. Look thirteen is the oversized bow look, where a large, statement velvet bow is the focal point, worn with a simple dress and simple makeup, so the bow does the talking. Whichever of the thirteen you choose, keep the same principles in mind: a bow in proportion to your hair, a colour that suits your outfit, and a secure attachment. Those three things will make any of these looks feel like yours.
Low Ponytail With a Bow
A low ponytail with a velvet bow is the simplest velvet bow hairstyle for Christmas, and it is also one of the most elegant. Gather the hair into a low ponytail at the nape, secure it with a hair tie, and then clip or tie a velvet bow over the tie, so the bow hides the elastic and becomes the focal point. The low ponytail suits a festive dress, a high neckline, and a winter coat, because it sits neatly under a collar and does not get crushed by a scarf. It also survives a long evening, because a low ponytail is secure, comfortable, and easy to refresh. Add a little volume at the crown, leave face-framing pieces out, and curl the ends of the ponytail lightly, and a simple low ponytail becomes a party look in minutes.
Getting the Low Ponytail Right
The secret to a good low ponytail is smoothness at the crown and softness at the ends. Start with a little styling cream, brush the hair back smoothly, and secure it at the nape, not too high and not too low. Wrap a small section of hair around the tie to hide it, and then place the velvet bow over the top, so the bow looks as if it is holding the ponytail itself. Curl the ends of the ponytail with a large-barrel iron, or leave them straight for a sleeker finish. A low ponytail with a bow suits a burgundy or black velvet bow, a simple dress, and a pair of earrings, and it is the look to choose if you want a festive style that you can do in five minutes and wear all evening without thinking about it.
Ponytail Variations With a Bow
Once you can make a classic low ponytail with a bow, you can vary it in several festive ways. A high ponytail with a bow, where the ponytail is gathered at the crown and the bow sits at the top, looks modern and confident. A side ponytail with a bow, where the ponytail is swept to one side, looks romantic and soft. A ponytail with a braid, where a small braid runs along the top before the ponytail is gathered, looks intricate and pretty. A ponytail with a velvet bow and a few face-framing pieces left out looks softer and more flattering than a ponytail that is scraped back completely. Whichever variation you choose, keep the bow secure, with a bobby pin behind it, and keep the ponytail comfortable, because a ponytail that pulls will not stay in all evening.
Bow on a Bun and Bow on Short Hair
A velvet bow on a bun is elegant and timeless, and a velvet bow on short hair is chic and modern, and both are easier than they look. For a bun, make a low, soft bun at the nape, secure it with bobby pins, and then pin a velvet bow to the top or the side of the bun, where it will be seen. The bow turns a simple bun into a festive updo in seconds, and it works with a formal dress, a winter wedding, or a Christmas party. For short hair, clip a small velvet bow to the side of a bob or a pixie cut, where it will frame the face and add a festive touch without overwhelming the style. A small bow suits short hair best, because a large bow can look too big on a short cut. Both looks need a secure bow, with a bobby pin behind the clip, and both look best with a simple outfit, so the bow is the focal point. For more ten-second updos that work with a bow, see our bedazzled claw clip hairstyles, which pair beautifully with a velvet bow.
Colour Choices: Black, Burgundy and Green
The colour of your velvet bow matters, because it should suit your outfit, your hair colour, and your skin tone, and it should look festive without clashing. Black velvet is the safest and most versatile choice: it suits every outfit, every hair colour, and every party, and it looks elegant rather than Christmassy, so you can wear it again in January. Burgundy is the most festive choice: it is rich, warm, and unmistakably Christmas, and it suits a black, cream or green outfit beautifully. Deep green is the most seasonal choice: it is the colour of a Christmas tree, and it suits a burgundy, black or cream outfit, especially on darker hair. A soft, dusty rose is the gentlest choice, and it suits a lighter outfit and a softer look. Choose the colour that suits your wardrobe, and if you are buying one bow, make it black or burgundy, because those two will work with almost everything you own. For a velvet outfit to pair with your bow, see our velvet winter wedding guest outfit ideas, and for more festive hair, see our holiday hairstyles for the festive season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear a velvet bow with short hair? Yes, absolutely. A small velvet bow clipped to the side of a bob or a pixie cut looks chic and festive. Choose a small bow, so it does not overwhelm a short cut, and secure it with a bobby pin behind the clip.
Will a velvet bow stay in all evening? Yes, if it is secure. Use a clip or barrette bow, not a loose tie, and add a bobby pin behind the bow, crossed over the clip, to keep it in place. Test the bow at home before the party, and carry a spare pin in your bag.
What colour velvet bow should I choose? Black suits everything and looks elegant. Burgundy is the most festive and suits a black, cream or green outfit. Deep green is seasonal and suits darker hair. Choose the colour that suits your wardrobe, and if you buy one bow, make it black or burgundy.
Is a velvet bow too much for a work Christmas party? No, if you keep it simple. A medium velvet bow on a low ponytail or a half-up style looks festive and professional, especially in black or burgundy. Avoid a very large bow or multiple bows at a work party, and keep the rest of your look simple.
Save These Velvet Bow Hairstyles on Pinterest
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The bow is back, in velvet, for Christmas, and it is the easiest festive hairstyle you will wear this season. Choose a bow in proportion to your hair, in a colour that suits your outfit, and secure it properly, and it will turn a low ponytail, a half-up style, a bun or a short bob into a party look in seconds. Then save your favourite look, try it once before the party, and enjoy a Christmas of velvet bows that look festive, feel comfortable, and photograph beautifully. Follow Nova Fashion on Pinterest for more Christmas hair ideas, and come back when you need a look for New Year’s Eve.
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