A pussy-bow collar — also called a pussycat bow — is a neckline finish made of two long, soft bands of fabric attached at the front of the neck that tie into a floppy bow, like the ribbon tied under a kitten's chin, which is where the name comes from. It is the defining detail of the classic secretary blouse and a recurring feature of women's tailoring.
A Short History of the Bow Blouse
Versions of the tie-neck blouse appeared in the 1930s, but the pussy bow became a wardrobe institution in the 1970s and 1980s, when women entering professional life in large numbers adopted it as a feminine counterpart to the man's shirt and tie — softening a tailored suit without surrendering authority. Designers return to it regularly, scaling the bow from a neat knot to an extravagant, oversized flourish.
The blouse is usually cut in a fluid fabric — silk, crepe, or polyester satin — so the bow drapes rather than sticks out.
Wearing the Pussy Bow
- Tie it in a full bow for the classic look, in a loose knot for a modern one, or leave the ends hanging like a scarf.
- It fills the open neck of a blazer or cardigan, so necklaces are usually unnecessary.
- Proportion matters: a large bow pairs best with simple lines below it.
FAQs
- Why is it called a pussy-bow?
- After the bows tied under kittens' chins in illustrations and popular imagery — 'pussy' being a traditional affectionate word for a cat.
- Is a pussy-bow the same as a tie-neck blouse?
- Yes, essentially. Tie-neck is the more general and more modern retail term; pussy-bow describes the same construction when the ties are tied as a bow.
- Can the bow be worn untied?
- Yes — worn loose, the ties read as a soft scarf neckline, which is how many contemporary versions are styled.
Detailed Guides: see Pussy-Bow Collar in the glossary A–Z listing of the Apparel Search fashion glossary for related terms.