How to wear a pussy bow blouse like a grown up
There I was researching iconic pictures of the pussy bow blouse, when I came across a photo of Harry Styles in Gucci. As I’d rather reference One Direction than Margaret Thatcher, let’s run with it. And anyway, I’ve been looking for a convenient opportunity to tell this story…
Rushing across Euston Road towards St Pancras station to catch the train home, I swerved to take a picture of the Victorian Gothic Architecture for Instagram. After snapping the beautiful building I looked down, put my phone away and there, about three feet in front of me, was Harry Styles. ‘Oh look,’ I said to Mr That’s Not My Age, nodding my head towards Styles and his pal like a lunatic, but the Blog Widower was intent on catching the train. ‘He was a bit put out that you were taking a photo of St Pancras and not him,’ said Mr TNMA as we legged it towards the platform, ‘Didn’t you hear him moan to his friend, “Hmm, well, I suppose it is a good-looking building.”‘ When Harry met Ally…
As well as my best Blue Steel stare, I’m wearing the brilliant Winser London silk Lauren blouse (with detachable tie), an old Jaeger jacket and my favourite J.Crew black Toothpick jeans, (available HERE). If you’re on the look out for something festive, M&S Autograph has a red pussy bow blouse (available HERE), not quite sure what the fabric is like, but it’s under forty quid. Or there’s Boden’s gold lamé Soho blouse (available HERE):
And here’s a selection of Styles-worthy pussy bow blouses:
Discussion (18 Comments)
Love that photo of you! And I love St. Pancras station, so that’s where my lens would be aimed as well….I borrowed my girlfriend’s very similar blouse (early 80s magenta or fuchsia) to wear under a dark chocolate velvet overall/bibbed jumpsuit for New Year’s one year…
I was meaning to have a go with the pussy cat bow and then forgot about it. I think I will try again after your timely reminder.
Jill says:
You look great Alyson! I wore my gorgeous Winser London Lauren silk blouse in Vintage Rose to a glam girls lunch on Saturday. But I detached the scarf and wore back to front quite closely round the front of my neck and then tied loosely back round the front again. I wore it with the matching milano wool pencil skirt and my new Aquatalia grey suede knee high boots (SO comfortable and waterproof – a distinct boon in the west of Scotland). I felt fabulous! If you like you can see a pic on instagram #winserlondon.
That’s a most gorgeous blouse, Alyson. And a fascinating story! xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.comDee Hall says:
You wear it well….The photos are beautiful. I never knew the proper name for this style. Thanks you for always teaching and sharing.
you know, I have a Theory black satin one hanging in my closet right now … I rarely wear it because it feels so conservative to me. I need to pair it with something edgy …
northernlass says:
Love that tale – how to be accidentally cool! I’m unlikely to be persuaded back into pussy bow blouses…never suited me last time round…..but can’t deny the way you are wearing it with the jacket is fab!
Sweet Sue says:
Haven’t run across too many blouse wearing cats and I’m curious how the bow got it’s name.
Caroline says:
Cold colours, like these, look best on you.
Great to combine such a classic ( ‘preppy’, ‘upperclass’, ‘aunty’) style blouse with cool pants so it all looks fresh.No matter how it’s styled, I will always see my mother wearing this blouse. You have updated it by wearing it in red and not tucked into your pants, but I still can’t bring myself to buy one of these. Perhaps if I wore them with leather pants. Brenda
nohatnogloves says:
I cannot get past dread Thatch. Plus I always feel biggish chest plus pussy bow is sartorial death. It would take more than leather pants…
Little Brown Bird says:
Love this look and especially the colour. I shall revisit this look forthwith 😉
Looking fabulous Alyson
LBB x
Sweet Sue…to be pedantic, this is (properly) known as a Pussy-CAT bow blouse, as it echoes the slightly fanciful notion of a ‘pussy, cat’ wearing a bow around its’ neck. A ‘pussy-bow’ means something quite different, probably only suitable for boudoir wear and certainly not something I’d want on a blouse, I’ll just leave that out there…
I’ve got lots of pussybow blouses and all from charity shops and vintage markets priced anywhere from 50p-£8 max.
I like how you’ve styled them up with jeans
Susan 
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Gorgeous photo of you, Alyson! Those colors look beautiful. Too funny about Mr. Styles!