Despite its name, the pussycat bow—or "pussy bow" blouse—is anything but timid.
A long, floppy knot often tied at the neck of a blouse, the pussycat bow was popularized by designers like Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that the trend found mainstream favor—when women in executive roles (see: Margaret Thatcher or Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman) started to wear the detail as the female equivalent to the man's tie.
It started as a conservative trend for boss ladies, and now the pussycat bow is seeing resurgence among the celeb set—the styling of which is as modern and powerful as ever.
In the old days, women might have worn the trend in a perfectly tied, symmetrical bow, but Jada Pinkett-Smith proves that letting loose looks way more put-together. Paired with a bright-yellow coat and slouchy trousers, the billowy blouse channels glam jetsetter rather than desk-bound employee. To keep it chic, wear similar lightweight fabrics and your main pieces in solid colors.
You can let it hang, as evidenced by Rita Ora's oh-so chic take on the trend. Leave it to the singer to incorporate a trendy silhouette—like a cropped cut—in the old-school trend. And because an untied bow exudes (almost) casual vibes, one must bring on the glamour with some kind of embellished bottom. It's the perfect balance.
There's something so office-appropriate about the pussycat bow blouse, but there's a way you can be a bow-wearing lady who boozy brunches. Follow in Hailey Baldwin's footsteps and pair a pussycat bow with denim cutoffs. Opt for a bomber instead of a blazer, and booties instead of heels, and you're ready for mimosas.
Style wise, Jourdan Dunn is a modern beauty incarnate. She's as feminine as the blouse, polished as her tailored pants and badass as that textured jacket. All these elements alone might channel different vibes, but when worn all in the same color or hue, you have a pretty killer ensemble.
When wearing the pussycat bow in the traditional sense, modernize the look with design details. Julianne Hough balances the blouse's conservative silhouette with see-through, lace fabric and a short hemline. Also, opt for playful rather structured shapes—like an A-line over a pencil skirt—for a sophisticated but fresh effect.