How to Wear Ribbons

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 9, 2021 References

If you're looking for different ways to wear ribbons in your hair or as an accessory, there are lots of different options that are perfect for any occasion. Military ribbons are worn on the left lapel or breast pocket and are given to people in sections like the Marines or the Navy. Whichever type of ribbon you're wearing, it's easy to wear them in style or professionally.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Wearing a Ribbon in Your Hair

1
Tie a ribbon around your ponytail for a little added flair. Pull your hair up into a high or low ponytail and secure it with a hair elastic. Pick out a ribbon that goes with your outfit and tie it around your ponytail, hiding the hair elastic from view. Create a bow with the ribbon or let the ends flow down through your ponytail.^{[1]
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- Wear your hair half-up and half-down with a ribbon holding the hair up.
- Cut the ribbon so that it's at least 14–20 inches (36–51 cm) long—you can always make it shorter once it's tied, if needed.
2
Wrap a ribbon around a topknot or bun to decorate it. Pull the top half of your hair up into a small bun or topknot, or put all of your hair into a bun on top of your head. After you secure your bun with a hair elastic, tie a ribbon around it and make it into a bow.^{[2]
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- To make your bow really stand out, choose a thick ribbon.
- You might skip the bow and just tie a pretty ribbon around your topknot or bun to add some color.
3
Add a ribbon to the end of a braid for a small accessory. Pick out a thin ribbon that will tie easily. Braid your hair however you’d like it, like in two French braids or one long braid going down the back of your head. Secure the braid with a hair elastic and tie the ribbon around the end of the braid, covering the elastic.^{[3]
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- For example, tie thin blue ribbons into bows at the end of your French braids.
- Ribbons that are on the end of your braids don't need to be as long—10–12 inches (25–30 cm) of length should work.
4
Wear a ribbon around your head to use it as a headband. Wrap a long ribbon around your head, tying it in a bow on the top of your head or at the nape of your neck where it’ll be hidden from view. If you’re worried about the ribbon sliding around, secure it using bobby pins. ^{[4]
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- This is a classic look that’s perfect for keeping your hair back.
- If you’re wearing your hair down, consider pinning back the front strands with a bobby pin so they stay in place against your head.
5
Weave a ribbon through your braid for a creative look. Tie a thin ribbon in your hair before you start braiding, securing it near the top of the braid with a simple knot hidden from view. If the knot is visible, hold the ribbon in place at the top of the braid with a bobby pin instead, removing the bobby pin once the braid is finished. Group the ribbon in with one of the three strands that you’re braiding so that it looks as if it’s weaving through your hair.^{[5]
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- Secure the ribbon and braid with a hair elastic once you’re finished.
- Cut the ribbon so it's at least 4 inches (10 cm) longer than the length of your hair so you have enough to do the braid.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Turning Ribbons into Accessories

1
Wear a ribbon under a collar to turn it into a tie. Cut a piece of ribbon that's at least 2 feet (0.61 m) long in a color that matches your collared shirt. Lift the collar up and pull the ribbon around it so that both ends are on your chest before putting the collar back down. Tie the ribbon in a simple knot at the top of your shirt or make it into a large bow.^{[6]
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- Choose a ribbon that's thin enough to fit under your collar comfortably without showing.
2
Tie a ribbon around your neck to wear it as a choker. Choose a soft ribbon since it'll be against your neck. Place the ribbon around your neck horizontally and tie it in a bow at the back of your neck to hide the bow from view. Check to make sure the ribbon is flat against your skin so it's not uncomfortable.^{[7]
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- Cut the ribbon so it's at least 2 feet (0.61 m) long—you can always trim it later.
3
Turn a ribbon into a bracelet by wearing it around your wrist. Pick out a ribbon that goes with your outfit and cut it so it's at least 12–16 inches (30–41 cm) long. Tie the ribbon in a bow around your wrist if you're able to yourself, or ask a friend or family member to help.^{[8]
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- To help you get an idea of how long the ribbon should be before you cut it, wrap it around your wrist and pretend to tie it in a bow.
4
Tie a ribbon around your purse for added decoration. Choose a ribbon in a color that contrasts the color of your purse. Tie a large bow at one end of the purse's handle, or wrap the ribbon around the entire handle to give the purse additional color.^{[9]
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- For example, liven up a brown purse with a royal blue or pink ribbon.
- Give a brightly colored purse a classic look with a black or white ribbon.
5
Thread a ribbon through your shoes to wear it as a shoelace. Pick out a ribbon that will hold a knot without coming undone and that matches your shoes well. Cut the ribbon so it's 35–45 inches (89–114 cm) long, and even longer if you're lacing boots. Remove the shoe lace that was already in the shoe, paying attention to how it was laced. Pull the ribbon through the lace holes as they crisscross so your shoes are ready to wear.^{[10]
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- For example, choose yellow ribbon for white shoes or match black shoes with a black ribbon.
- Silk or satin ribbon is a popular choice for shoes because it's easy to tie.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Displaying Military Ribbons on Your Outfit

1
Wear your ribbons to military events and functions. These include things like memorial events, formal ceremonies, or Veterans' events. You can wear the ribbons on your civilian clothing as long as you’re attending a military event.^{[11]
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2
Place the ribbon on your left lapel or breast pocket. If the outfit you’re wearing has a lapel, such as a jacket or tuxedo, place the ribbon on the left side. For more casual clothing that doesn't have a lapel, wear the ribbon over your left breast pocket.^{[12]
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- If you’re wearing the ribbon over your breast pocket, position the bottom edge of the ribbon 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) above the pocket.^{[13]
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3
Wear up to 3 ribbons in each row. If you have 3 ribbons, wear them all in one even row on your left side. If you have more than 3 ribbons, place them in horizontal rows of no more than 3 each. Space them evenly apart for a put-together and professional look.^{[14]
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- If you don’t have 3 ribbons in each row, put the row with only 1 or 2 ribbons on top.