Getting ready for a new school year is exciting, but finding the perfect hair accessories to match your child's school uniform isn't always as straightforward as it seems.
With so many different school uniform colour combinations across the UK, it's easy to wonder whether you should choose plain bows, striped ribbons or a combination of colours.
At BowCo, we've helped thousands of parents find the perfect match. Here's our simple guide to choosing school hair bows that look smart, stay secure and perfectly complement your child's uniform.
Start with the Main Uniform Colour
The easiest way to choose school hair accessories is to begin with your child's main uniform colour.
For example:
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Navy
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Royal Blue
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Black
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Green
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Burgundy
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Red
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Grey
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Brown
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Purple
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Sky Blue
Once you've identified the main colour, you can then look for matching accessories or combinations that include the secondary colour used by your school.
Check for a Second School Colour
Many UK schools use two colours rather than one.
Some popular combinations include:
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Navy & Sky Blue
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Navy & White
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Royal Blue & Yellow Gold
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Burgundy & Grey
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Bottle Green & Gold
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Red & Navy
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Black & Red
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Grey & Maroon
Choosing a bow that includes both colours creates a coordinated look and ties the whole school uniform together beautifully.
Plain or Two-Tone?
Both options work well—it simply depends on the look you prefer.
Plain School Hair Bows
A plain school bow offers a classic, timeless appearance and matches almost every uniform.
They're ideal if:
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Your school has a single uniform colour.
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You prefer a simple, smart look.
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You want accessories that can be worn every day.
Two-Tone School Hair Bows
Two-colour bows are perfect for schools with contrasting colours.
They add a little extra detail while still meeting most school uniform policies and create a coordinated finish without being overly decorative.
Choose the Right Attachment
Every child has different hair, so choosing the right attachment is just as important as choosing the colour.
Clips
Best for:
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Fine hair
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Wearing hair half-up
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Ponytails
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Easy everyday styling
Elastics
Best for:
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Thick hair
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School ponytails
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Buns
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Active school days
Many parents like having both options so they're prepared for different hairstyles throughout the week.
Pick the Right Bow Size
Not every child needs the same size bow.
Smaller Bows
Perfect for:
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Reception
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Nursery
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Younger primary children
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Fine hair
Medium & Large Bows
Ideal for:
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Older primary children
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Secondary school
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Longer or thicker hair
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Statement ponytails
Choosing the correct size helps create a smart appearance while remaining comfortable for all-day wear.
Don't Forget Everyday Essentials
School mornings are much easier when you've got a few spare accessories ready.
We recommend keeping:
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Spare elastics
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Matching snap clips
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Hairbands
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Extra school bows in school colours
Having backups means you're never searching for a missing bow five minutes before the school run.
Why Matching Matters
Matching school hair accessories helps create a neat, polished appearance and ensures your child looks ready for the school day.
Many schools ask pupils to wear accessories in school colours, so choosing the correct combination can help avoid any last-minute uniform worries.
It's a small detail that makes a big difference.
Why Parents Choose BowCo
At BowCo, we've made finding the right school hair accessories as simple as possible.
We stock:
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Over 70 school uniform colour combinations
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School bows from just £1
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Clips, elastics and hairbands
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School Starter Bundles
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Fast UK dispatch
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Thousands of five-star reviews from happy parents
Instead of scrolling through hundreds of products, you can simply choose your child's main school colour and we'll show you all the matching options.
That means less time searching and more time getting ready for the new school year.
Find Your Perfect School Colour
Whether your child wears navy, burgundy, bottle green, royal blue or one of the many two-colour combinations used by schools across the UK, BowCo makes it easy to find matching school hair accessories.
Browse by your child's school uniform colour to discover coordinating bows, clips, elastics and hairbands designed to keep school mornings simple.
Because finding the perfect school bow should be just as easy as getting them out of the door!