9 Adorable Bow Tattoo Ideas to Try for 2024

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