I bought my first velvet bow on a whim last December and I have not stopped thinking about it since. It was forest green, a little oversized, and it made even my third-day hair look intentional. This year I have worn velvet bows to an office party, a low-key date night at our favorite Italian spot, a winter wedding, a noisy brunch, and Christmas morning in pajamas. And yes, I have opinions now. Here are my 9 favorite velvet bow holiday hairstyles, each matched to a real occasion on your calendar.
1. The Office Party Look
I love this one for work because it reads polished from the front and festive from the back. Think a low, smooth half-up with a medium black velvet bow pinned right at the crown. When I wore this to our team dinner last year, three coworkers asked if I had gotten a blowout. I had not. It was just clean parting and a bow doing all the heavy lifting.
Start with brushed-out hair, side part or middle part, your call. I prefer a deep side part for office events because it looks a little more grown-up. Gather just the top section from temple to temple and twist it once before you pin it. That little twist gives the bow something to grip. If your hair is slippery, and mine totally is, spray a bit of texture spray on the section first. You can read up on how fine hair holds styles before you start pinning, it saved my half-up from sliding by 9 p.m.
Look at how she is wearing hers in this photo. See how the bow sits flat against that gathered section with the ends flowing clean underneath? That is exactly what you want for work. No teasing, no high pouf. Just smooth on top and soft through the lengths. I used a small black velvet bow about three inches wide, nothing over-the-top.
For medium hair, this is perfect because you do not need a ton of length. For long hair, curl just the ends with a one-inch iron so it does not look too boardroom-serious. And keep a second bobby pin in your clutch. Velvet gets heavy under office heating vents, trust me.
2. Date Night Energy
Date night is where I go softer and a little undone. My go-to is loose waves with a small burgundy velvet bow clipped to one side, just above the ear. It is romantic without screaming Christmas sweater. My husband actually noticed this one, which almost never happens with hair.
I curl away from my face in big sections and then rake through with my fingers. No brush. Then I tuck one side behind my ear and pin the bow right where the tuck starts. If you want more staying power, backcomb that little section just a touch before you clip. I learned that trick after my bow slid down to my jawline halfway through dinner once. Very funny in hindsight. Not so cute in photos.
She has got that side-placed bow I am talking about here. Notice how her waves are loose and touchable, not tight ringlets? That contrast of soft waves plus plush velvet is the whole mood. I like a deep, wine-colored bow for this, especially with dark hair. Blondes look amazing in forest green or black.
Want two options in one night? Start with the bow on the side for dinner, then move it to the back in a low twist for a late movie. It takes ten seconds in the car mirror. I keep a mini claw in my bag for the switch. Also, a dab of hair oil on the ends keeps the whole thing candlelit-restaurant pretty.
3. Wedding Guest Without the Cliche
Winter weddings are tricky. You want formal but not bridal. My solution is a low chignon with a velvet bow perched just above the bun, not on top of it. It photographs beautifully and you will not blend in with the bridesmaids who all have the same curled ponytail.
I do a low side part, smooth into a low bun at the nape, then pin a medium ivory or black bow an inch above. That placement matters. Right on the bun looks costumey. Just above looks editorial. For inspiration I always save iconic red carpet holiday hair looks because they nail that grown-up festive balance without going full prom.
In this detail shot you can see where her low twist meets the bow. See how neat that transition is? That is a little smoothing cream and two crisscrossed pins doing their job. If you have thick hair, split your bun into two twisted sections and pin them separately. It lays flatter and the bow sits better.
Short hair girls, you can do this too. Fake the chignon with a low tucked roll and add a mini velvet bow. I did that for my cousin’s December wedding when my lob was barely shoulder-length and it held through dancing. A spritz of flexible hairspray, not extra-firm, keeps it soft enough to move.
4. Brunch With the Friends Who Notice
You know that brunch group? The ones who notice shoes, earrings, hair? This is for them. I wear a high ponytail with a long-tail velvet bow tied around the base. It is playful, a little preppy, and so easy. Last time I wore it, my friend Jess immediately asked for a link before our coffees even arrived.
Flip your head over, gather high, secure with a strong elastic, then smooth the top with a boar bristle brush. Wrap the bow around the elastic and tie in back. The long tails hanging down the ponytail are the cutest part. For extra volume, tease the crown lightly and pull out two face-framing pieces. Do not overthink it. Brunch hair should look like you tried, but not for two hours.
Look at her ponytail base here. That full wrap of velvet hiding the elastic? That is the detail that makes it look expensive. I prefer a wide ribbon you tie yourself over a pre-tied bow for this look because you can adjust the tails. Red velvet with a cream sweater is my favorite combo in December.
This high ponytail with long velvet tails is my personal pick for December. It takes me eight minutes, it survives hugs and wind, and it looks cute from every angle in group photos.
5. Christmas Morning Cozy
Christmas morning hair has one job. Look adorable in pajamas with zero effort. Mine is a loose low braid with a small velvet bow tied at the end. I sleep in the braid on Christmas Eve and just add the bow in the morning. Done. Coffee first, curling iron never.
I do a loose three-strand braid over one shoulder, pancake it a little by tugging the edges for fullness, then tie a narrow velvet ribbon in a bow around the clear elastic. It hides the elastic and adds that holiday touch. If you have layers falling out, leave them. That soft, just-rolled-out-of-bed texture is perfect. A little dry shampoo at the roots keeps it fresh without a full wash.
She is wearing hers exactly how I mean, low and relaxed over the shoulder with the bow at the tail end. See how the braid is not too tight? That looseness is what keeps it cozy instead of schoolgirl. I use a forest green bow on Christmas morning every year now. It matches the tree in photos and my kids think it is hilarious.
If you want a second cozy option, do two low mini braids with tiny bows. It takes five minutes and looks so sweet with an oversized sweater. I wore that for our neighborhood hot-cocoa walk and got stopped twice. For more relaxed ideas, I love browsing Christmas hair accessories holiday looks the night before to pick my bow color.
6. New Year’s Eve Sparkle
New Year’s Eve is the night to go big. I do a sleek high bun with an oversized black velvet bow as the statement. Dress, heels, red lip, big bow. It is simple but it hits hard in photos at midnight. And it stays put while you are hugging everyone at countdown.
Slick back with gel and a fine-tooth comb, twist into a clean bun, pin well, then secure the bow either below the bun or to the side. Below feels classic. To the side feels fashion-y. I go below if my dress has a high neckline, to the side if my neck is bare. Either way, use four pins minimum. Velvet bows catch air when you dance and a wobbly bow ruins the sleek vibe.
This close-up shows what I mean about placement. Notice how sharp that bun is against the soft matte texture of the velvet? That contrast is everything. Her edges are smoothed clean, no flyaways, which lets the bow be the star. I finish with a shine spray on the bun only, never on the bow, or it looks dusty.
Another NYE option I love is a deep side part with Hollywood waves and a small bow pinned behind one ear. Very old-Hollywood but still current. You can learn a lot from reading about sleek party hair techniques before you slick back, especially if your hair frizzes in crowded rooms like mine does.
7. The Family Photo Look
Family photos stress me out more than any party. Everyone is matching, someone is crying, the light is fading. My fail-proof hair is a polished half-up twist with a medium velvet bow centered at the back. It looks neat from the front for the posed shot and pretty from the back when the kids run off and the photographer keeps shooting.
Take two one-inch sections from each temple, twist them back, cross them over each other, and pin. Then place the bow over the pins. That layered pinning hides everything. Curl the bottom half in large sections all going the same direction so it looks uniform in photos. And please, a matte powder on your part line if you have fine hair. Flash makes scalps shiny and no one warns you.
Look at the back detail on her here. That clean crossover with the bow covering the pins? That is the trick. From the front you just see volume and face-framing softness. From the back you get the holiday moment. I wore navy velvet for our card photo last year and it popped against the snow without clashing with my husband’s red scarf.
If your hair is medium length, this half-up is ideal because it adds fullness without extensions. If you have long thick hair, do a half-up bubble section instead of a twist to reduce weight. I have also saved a few festive updos for Christmas for every hair length for when I want the same bow idea but fully pinned up for windy outdoor shoots.
See Half-Up Bow Placement Live
8. Girls’ Night Out Fun
Girls’ night is where I experiment. My favorite is double mini buns with tiny velvet bows on each. Is it a little silly? Yes. Do I love it? Absolutely. We went to a holiday cocktail bar last December and the bartender gave us free dessert because he said we looked festive. Sold.
Part down the middle, make two high space buns, leave the ends out for a spiky-cool finish or tuck fully for cute. Add a one-inch mini bow to the base of each bun. The key is keeping the bows small. Oversized bows plus space buns goes costume fast. Mini bows keep it fun and wearable, even in your thirties. I am 34 and I will die on this hill.
She pulls these off so well. See how her buns are a little messy, not perfect spheres? That texture keeps it cool instead of childish. And those tiny bows add just enough velvet without overwhelming. I like black mini bows for night, red for daytime holiday markets.
Not into space buns? Try a sleek bubble ponytail with a velvet bow at the top. Same playful energy but more sleek. Wrap small clear elastics down the length, tug each bubble, and let the bow sit proud at the crown. It holds up great through dinner, drinks, and a long Uber line.
9. Church Service Pretty
For Christmas Eve service I want something quiet and pretty. My pick is a low twisted ponytail with a classic velvet bow. It is modest, elegant, and it stays neat through sitting, standing, candle songs, all of it. I wore this two years in a row because why mess with what works?
Gather low at the nape, twist the tail once for texture, secure, then tie a medium bow around the base. Pull out soft pieces around your face and curl them lightly away. That is it. No teasing, no drama. If you want it to feel a bit more special, swap your everyday bow for a double-loop velvet style. For curly girls, a similar pinned-back shape with a bow looks stunning, and I often look at glamorous Christmas curly updos for pinning ideas that actually hold curl pattern.
In this photo, notice how low and relaxed her gathering point is? That low placement is what makes it feel graceful instead of sporty. And the velvet texture catches the light softly, which is lovely in dim candlelight. I choose burgundy or deep green for service, nothing too bright.
Quick tip I wish someone told me sooner. Put your bow on with a small alligator clip backed with velvet ribbon, not just metal. It grips so much better, especially on fine hair. I learned about hair clip types for different hair after losing a bow in a church pew. Never again. And if you love mixing accessories, my chic headband hairstyles for Valentines looks post has layering tricks that work for velvet bows too.
Velvet Bow Questions I Get Every December
How do I keep a velvet bow from slipping out?
Velvet is heavy, so anchor the hair first, then add the bow. I pin the style with bobby pins, dust a little texture powder where the clip will sit, and use a bow with a lined clip. That combo holds me all night.
What size velvet bow should I buy?
I own three sizes and use them all. Mini under two inches for space buns and side clips, medium three to four inches for half-ups and low buns, oversized five plus inches for NYE or photos. If you buy one, go medium in black.
Can short hair wear velvet bows?
Yes, just scale down. Try a deep side part with a mini bow above the ear, or a tucked faux bob with a small bow at the side. I wore bows with a lob for a whole season and got more compliments than with long hair.
Do velvet bows work on curly hair?
They are gorgeous on curls because the matte velvet plays off the shine. Pin the bow where the hair is flattest, usually at a twist or a smoothed section, not in the middle of volume. A puff with a bow on top is my favorite curly holiday look.
So which one are you trying first? I am already planning to rewear my burgundy bow for date night and my big black one for New Year’s Eve. Tag me if you try the high ponytail with tails. That one makes me happy every single time.
