Tie me up, tie me down
If you haven’t already noticed, this is the year of the bow.
Valentino, the maestro of the bow, has used it as a signature adornment on accessories and couture gowns forever, and he did it in a big way in this, his 45th anniversary year. Apparently the world was watching.
One of his classic pieces, a dramatic satin clutch with an angular bow that doubles as a wrist handle, is covetable at $750. Steve Madden. . . re-created . . . it, and made it affordable, at $38.
High to low, dainty to dramatic -- bows are turning up everywhere. But these aren’t the bows that were stuck to your sweet 16 party dress. The saccharine element has been dropped to make room for sexy satin; bold bandage-style; and asymmetrical, waist-cinching bows that are adornments as well as belt closures, shoe straps, pendants and evening bag handles (most memorably at Prada, where the bow was the clutch, with the hand slipping behind its loops).
Fortunately, following the trend doesn’t have to make a huge impact on your bank account. That Prada clutch is $895, but good versions of the bow can be found at all price levels. For example, the sheeny red satin of that Valentino clutch is unmistakable, but the Steve Madden version would certainly do with a cocktail ensemble, especially in the low light of a lounge.
The bow belt hits two trends for the price of one. Gucci did one of the best this season, in black patent leather with a heavy metal bow closure, for $495. The less expensive alternative from Spiegel is missing the armor, but at $48, it will do the trick wrapped around a simple solid sweater.
Jewelry is tied up with the trend too, with bows hanging from chains as pendants, sitting on top of rings and replacing simple diamond studs. At the very least, the bow is a cheese-free alternative to the heart, and as a gift, it sticks to more neutral territory. Swarovski’s bow ring makes a great gift at $138. (Still not that close? Try the $40 stud earrings from Juicy Couture.) In any case, the neat, rectangular bow isn’t too sweet and adds that little bit of bling that’s especially great for holiday dressing.
