Bows are gaining popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest, and the trend has found its way to Wildcat Nation. Teenage girls at the school are embracing bows as subtle fashion accessories, incorporating them into their sweaters, Uggs, pants, and hairstyles. We interviewed three Ukiah High students to explore how bows add a touch of flair to their fashion.
Freshman Melanie Grace shared her perspective, stating, “I like to add bows to casual outfits for a bit of spice.” She noted the connection between bows and girlhood, emphasizing that bows have symbolized femininity since her childhood.
Ani McKay, a senior, predominantly wears bows in her hair, creating a “half-up/half-down style.”
McKay associates bows with nostalgia, expressing that they represent growing up and going out.
For her, wearing bows and pink is a way to reclaim childhood and resist the pressure to grow up too quickly. She credited the surge in bow popularity to the cultural impact of the Barbie Summer phenomenon.
Freshman Dariela Damian sports a unique take on bows, incorporating them into her outfits inspired by the “scene kid” culture, a subculture related to emo, known for its fashion with skinny jeans and vibrant clothing.
Damian pointed out that in the scene fashion world, exaggerated and oversized bows are a key feature.
Katrina Dursteler, the Fashion teacher at Ukiah High School, sees bows as a way of proudly expressing one’s femininity and visualizing girl power. Dursteler reminisced about her own childhood, recalling how girls used to adorn their hair with bows, particularly under the age of ten.
Dursteler emphasized that fashion accessories like bows and jewelry serve as tools worldwide for making statements and expressing individuality, describing it as a beautiful way to show the world who you are.
Chloe Harmony is a Freshman and a journalist at Ukiah High School. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading and dancing. She joined the journalism class because she is interested in writing. Chloe thinks of herself as a vivacious but hard working young woman and is looking forward to writing about athletics and student life.
