Bows have been a popular hair accessory for centuries, but became especially popular among women in the 1680s. As the story goes, the Marquise de Fontagne, who was one of France’s King Louis XIV’s mistresses, lost her hat while she was riding a horse. At the time, it was considered improper for woman to be soon with their hair loose, so she improvised, pulling a bow off of her dress and using it to tie up her hair. The style took off in popularity, with Marie-Antoinette reportedly spending 20,000 francs on hair ribbons about a century after the Marquise’s wardrobe malfunction.

Today, bows have become emblematic of nostalgic, innocent femininity, recalling visions of schoolgirls tying up their hair in matching ribbons or young women getting ready for holiday gatherings. They can be worn with high, slicked back styles like Gomez’s bun, they can be used to tie hair loosely at the nape of the neck, or they can be worn throughout one’s long, loose tresses. For more inspiration, check out the myriad ways celebrities styled black hair bows during the 2023 Met Gala.

If you’re as inspired as I am by Gomez’s big bow, consider spicing up your hair routine by adding one to your look. Below, some of the cutest, most on-trend options.