Why The Pussy-Bow (necktie) Is A Powerful Feminine Symbol

Do you recall the huge media fuss around the hot pink pussy-bow shirt Melania Trump wore at a presidential debate? That moment marked the re-birth of a classic style on one end and a huge political and feminist matter on the other hand. I didn’t care much about the political fiasco around a fashion choice by FLOTUS and, guess what? I’m not writing a political debate here but rather highlight the interesting meaning of pussycat bow and the humble history of this style.

Where does the name come from?

The name is literally a fashion description of a cat’s bow tie and has nothing to do with women’s privates. In the 30s, “Pussycat bow” appeared for the first time in a newspaper called St. Petersburg Times describing a dress pattern featuring a convertible bow that can be tied in different ways. Therefore, we can now establish that it is only a style name that doesn’t have any ties to politics. On the other hand, the style itself became a symbol of female empowerment and progress.

Chronicles of the Pussy-bow

If you’re over 40, you probably remember watching celebrities wear pussy-bow shirts and dresses on TV back in the 80s. The trend was exceptionally popular then for a reason I’ve highlighted next.

Nonetheless, it dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries when both men and women wore necktie (a.k.a pussy bow) accessories. And, it wasn’t until Coco Chanel and YSL popularized the style in the 50th.

The pussy-bow was adopted by Coco Chanel and YSL and became a favourite style to feature in their collections. In fact, Yves Saint Laurent made it part of his signature Le smoking look, a radical design debuted in the 1960s, fitting women in pantsuits similar to men’s tuxedo. Before that, the necktie was considered a softening accessory for women in office support roles. However, when paired with the pantsuit, the pussy bow took a more powerful meaning.

Pussy-bow as a symbol Of feminism

In the 70s and 80s, women advanced to executive and leadership roles and felt the need to dress like men to be taken seriously, which marked the beginning of the “Power suit” era. The pussy-bow resembled a tie and portrayed a powerful image in a soft and feminine look. One of the most renowned powerful women who wore pussy-bow quite frequently was Margaret Thatcher, the first female PM of the UK, who was fond of pussycat bow and felt it was “rather softening” and “pretty”.

How to wear a pussy-bow

I am a huge fan and lover of pussy-bow (necktie) and have collected numerous pieces over the years in different colors and styles. In my opinion, pussy-bow is a classic and a must-have in every woman’s wardrobe.

You can wear pussycat bow tops in different ways. For work, wear them with almost all styles of pants and skirts but preferably straight cut bottoms to achieve a professional look. A silky/satin top is considered the classic fabric, and now you can find the shirt in tulle and satin which are trendy and elegant. In the latter case, since the material is transparent, I’d opt to wear a tank top underneath the shirt at work or at a meeting.

For a casual look, pair a pussycat bow top with leather and denim pants or skirts. I like wearing colorful tops with black bottoms or play with color blocks when I feel bored wearing dark colors in winter. For example, below I wore a vintage green pussy-bow shirt with a trendy faux leather skirt and faux snakeskin shoes.

If you like dresses, there isn’t a shortage of dress styles with pussycat bows. You can find dresses with big statement bows or smaller bows that sit just below the neckline. The dress below is one of my favourite pieces this winter which I can wear throughout the year with our without a belt.

Pussy-bow styles for women

Michael Michael Kors

Striped satin pussy-bow shirt.

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PINKO

Pussy-bow shirt

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Ganni

Pussy-bow relaxed fit shirt.

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Chinti & Parker

Bow detail top

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Gucci

Bow shirt in off white

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MSGM

One-shoulder polka dots shirt

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Mulberry

Red pussy-bow shirt

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Tory Burch

Pussy-bow floral shirt dress

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Eloquii

Red pussy-bow Stretch Matte Jersey Fit & Flare Dress

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CECE

Pussy-bow green dress

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Reformation

Polka dots necktie dress

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Gal Meets Glam

Neck tie sweater dress

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