Return of the Rosette: Why Prize Ribbons Are Having a Moment
Something soft, sentimental and hand-sewn is happening in fashion right now.
Rosettes and prize ribbons, once reserved for fairs, equestrian competitions and childhood participation awards, are reemerging as statement accessories. We’re seeing them pinned to dresses and cardigans, layered over patterns, clipped to denim jackets — giving regular outfits a costume-esque vibe.
But, this isn’t just trend recycling. The return of the rosette feels tied to something bigger: a cultural shift toward the analog, the handmade and the personal.
Why Now?
As more of life moves online, there’s a growing pull toward the analog — sewing, journaling, film photography, visible mending. People want something tactile… something earned.
The rosette fits perfectly into that shift:
Handmade
Customizable
Scrap-friendly
Sentimental
It’s small enough to make in a night, but bold enough to transform a look. And when artists like Clairo wear them on tour, the accessory moves from a DIY project to a cultural cue.
Meet Luis
One of our own at DeeLux, Luis, has been bringing the rosette trend to life.
Why did you start making rosettes/prize ribbons?
“Clairo was wearing them on her Charmed tour and I felt so inspired. I made my first one and fell in love. I started making them for people. The first one I made was for Dan (our store manager).”
How did you learn to make them?
“I saw a picture and just started doing it. I didn’t know how to sew before, so I spent a whole night learning. The first one I did was made out of felt from a Chick-fil-A toy.”
This trend isn’t about perfection, it’s about resourcefulness. It’s about starting where you are and making something anyway.
How long do they take to make?
“About two hours. I hand sew them.”
What materials do you gravitate toward?
“Polka dots, lace, sheer fabrics, denim, and fabric scraps from past projects.”
Scraps are key. These pieces carry memory. They’re layered histories stitched into something wearable.
Luis’ Three Ways to Wear a Rosette
1. Red cardigan + leather shoulder bag + baggy denim
“I saw the cardigan and immediately thought of Kendall Jenner’s no-maintenance cardigan moment, but added my own twist.”
2. Striped button-up + alt denim + crossbody
“I took inspo from vintage clown blanc looks but modernized it with the medallion and alt denim.”
The ribbon leans theatrical against stripes, but in denim it feels intentional… not costume.
3. Hysteric cardigan + camo tee + distressed denim
“I love mixing patterns and textures. The medallion ties everything together.”
Instead of clashing, the ribbon anchors the look — pulling all the prints together.
More Than a Trend
The rosette resurgence isn’t just aesthetic.
It represents:
Slowness in a fast fashion cycle
Skill-building as style
Personalization over perfection
Maybe prize ribbons now symbolize participation. In craft, creativity and community.
