The pussy bow blouse (or necktie blouse) is a woven top with a bow at the neck. The fabric is soft and drapey to accentuate the sensual and romantic vibe of the top. Every so often, the blouse is made of a stiffer shirt fabric, or lightweight denim. Usually, the sleeves are long, but you’ll see a sleeveless or short-sleeved version too. The bow can be broad and maximal, or narrow and subtle. Most bows tie at the base of a crew neck, but some styles tie at the base of a V-neck.
The pussy bow blouse is available in just about any colour and pattern. Here’s a collection of examples to showcase the variety.
Pussy bow blouses have a glorious Retro sensibility that pulls at my heart strings. I also love their flowing and romantic vibe, high neckline, dressy appeal, and the visual statement of the bow. Conversely though, many of my clients and friends aren’t attracted to pussy bow blouses. The item is either too fussy, too dressy, somehow conservative, too high on the neck, or too prissy or twee. Often they consider it to be unflattering on a larger chest and shorter neck. The thought of tying the perfect bow is also off-putting.
If you’re among those who are sceptical about the pussy bow blouse here are some points that might change your mind:
- Although quite the timeless style, it’s on trend at the moment.
- I have large-busted clients who have looked wonderful in the RIGHT pussy bow blouse. Choose a fitted silhouette and drapey fabric so that the bow collapses back onto the body. Stay away from gigantic patterns and prevent button gape on the bust with a snap or fashion tape.
- Petites need to choose styles with narrower bows.
- Short necks look best in pussy bow blouses with lower necklines.
- Choose the blouse in a solid black for a harder edge.
- Watch this video to learn to tie a perfect bow.
- Or leave the bow and knot the ties instead. Alternatively, tie the ties like a man’s necktie. Add a brooch for fun.
That leaves the prissy aspect. It’s how you style a pussy bow blouse that makes the difference. Interesting juxtapositions are your friend. Temper the precious priss by adding a Tomboy vibe to your outfit. Here are six ways of doing just that.
1. Boyfriend Jeans, Belt & Loafers
Combine a tucked pussy blow blouse with faded boyfriend jeans, oversized watch, a masculine belt, and unisex loafers. The blouse is effectively dressed down and tamed.
2. Shirt Fabric & No Bow
A pussy bow blouse in a shirt fabric is more masculine right away. Choose narrow ties that hang down the front of the body instead of a bow, and you’ve taken the flouncy romance out of the blouse. Throw in a pair of boyish flats like loafers and oxfords, and Bob’s your uncle.
3. Denim Shirt, Cropped Pants & Chunky Oxfords
Choosing a pussy bow blouse in a lightweight denim, tencel or chambray amps up the boyish factor. As does tucking it into cropped pleated trousers and adding flat oxfords (chunky or refined). You could throw in some fun socks for a Hipster look.
4. A Shirt & Grey Jeans
The boyish charm on this rendition is more subtle. The fabric of the blouse is stiffer than a soft blouse, and the pinstripes are quite masculine too. I find faded grey jeans quite masculine, so to my eye, that adds a little more Tomboy to the mix. The fitted silhouette of the jeans, the gigantic statement bow, and the dainty pointy toe flats keep the look more feminine.
5. Roomy Cropped Straight Legs & Blazer
This silhouette of jeans reads more masculine right away. The blazer is another boyish addition, especially in a stripe. Keeping the footwear feminine is one way to go, but feel free to add boyish shoes to the mix.
6. Hard Edge
Create a hard edge by remixing a soft pussy bow blouse with tough elements like leather, pleather, studs, zippers, buckles and lots of black. No need to keep the blouse tucked like the example either.
I recently fell in love with a striped pussy bow blouse from Banana Republic. It instantly followed me home. It’s more of a boyish shirt, but the gigantic bow and fitted silhouette secured the romantic and retro vibe. I wouldn’t have minded if the blouse was soft because I’m not trying to temper its flouncy precious priss. In fact, I aim to do just the opposite of what I’ve suggested above by adding soft and feminine elements back into the outfit.
