Recently I had a fancy event to go to. Given I don't get out much (I'm mostly home with a baby and a toddler), am carrying an annoying extra 5kg and am now post 40, I had to have a good think about what to wear. Gone are the days I could throw on anything, and I think you do need to be age appropriate. But frumpy or boring is definitely not on the menu! Almost immediately a look came to mind - my old signature faithful pencil skirt, and a new fave item - a shirt. I'd historically relegated shirts to "work wear" - with the exception of a good old grungy plaid shirt. But I'm loving fitted shirts right now, especially with jeans or a pencil skirt. But how to dress up a pencil skirt & shirt to elevate from work wear to an event outfit? My idea was to use a pussy bow. A chic yet sexy secretary look, not showing much skin but using some good tailoring, heels, a dramatic winged eye and strong lip to glam up the whole affair.
Kate
I ended up getting this fabulous sheer Storm shirt. I had the shirt tailored to cinch in the sides and two darts put in the back to make it more fitting. I couldn't find a tie or scarf to work with, so I ended up buying a metre of chiffon and literally ripped off two strips to fashion my own raw edged pussy bow. One metre was too short, so one length went around my neck, the other was the bow, tied over the knot. I was very happy with the result! I love these recent rock n roll pussy bow celeb looks, below.
Gucci Fall 2015
Now I searched high and low for a pussy bow shirt, and could not find a thing! Plus my limited budget doesn't allow a look at Net-a-Porter. I loved the pussy bow styles Emilio Pucci and Hedi Slimane at Saint Laurent were doing a few years ago. Saint Laurent always seem to have a fabulous pussy bow shirt in their collection. 
Kate
Alexa Chung
Kate Moss for Gucci 2014
Laura Bailey
I've been meaning to check out Gucci's new designer's latest show, Fall 2015. And what do I belatedly see? Pussy bows galore! Then perusing more Fall and Spring shows and the latest editorials online, I see pussy bow shirts everywhere, from Roberto Cavalli and Emilio Pucci to Chanel and of course Saint Laurent. I'm loving it! No longer the bastion of your 70's school ma'am, I have long loved a pussy bow to add a bit of sass to a suited look. Leave your top buttons undone and gaping open for a sexy décolletage baring peephole. Let the ties hang loose for casual rock chick chic. Fashion into a tie for an androgynous look. Do a big plump bow for a dash of drama. Check some of my faves in the latest collections and editorials below.
Roberto Cavalli Pre Fall 2015
Roberto Cavalli Fall 2015
Daphne Groeneveld for Vogue Russia, August 2015
Bottega Veneta Fall 2015
Chanel Fall 2015
Orla Keily Fall 2015
Emilio Pucci Fall 2015
DSqaured2 Fall 2015
Gucci dress, Glamour August 2015
Alexa Chung, Harper's Bazaar August UK 2015, AG Jeans shirt
Chanel dress, Tatler UK, August 2015
Gucci Fall 2015
Gucci Campaign Fall 2015
Gucci Resort 2016
Armani dress, Tatler UK September 2015
Cavalli, ELLE Germany, September 2015
