Blame it on return-to-office policies or fashion’s current romance with the ’80s, but pussy bows—one of the most controversial (and, it must be said, chicest) design flourishes in recent memory—are gearing up for a big year. With a major showing on the spring-summer 2026 runways and a recent cosign from Kate Middleton, the nostalgic trend is coming for our collective closets next season. Our advice: Buy in now.
Our pussy-bow trend edit
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Pussy bows (also known as Lavallière collars) appeared all over Jonathan Anderson’s debut as the creative director of Dior, one of the most anticipated womenswear shows of the spring 2026 season. While other kinds of bows bobbed through button-down shirts or wound tight around the neck, it was their looser, droopier cousins that stood out most, punctuating crewneck dresses and poking out from capes.
Saint Laurent’s spring-summer runway, meanwhile, featured a section (10 looks out of 50 total) dedicated almost entirely to dramatically oversized pussy-bow blouses. Some were held aloft at the clavicle, while others hung closer to the navel, revealing a sliver of chest. But all of them were tied with a louche, I-just-threw-this-on energy, practically oozing effortless cool. These blouses aren’t dowdy—they’re cutting-edge.
Other spring presentations featuring pussy bows included Valentino, Ralph Lauren, and Enfants Riches Déprimés. Chloé and Zimmermann also played into the trend with trenches and head scarves that tied at the neck, further heralding the return of the big bow. And for their part, Ferragamo and MKDT Studio outfitted models in skinny scarves, the latter’s frozen in the air as if being blown by wind, which could easily be tied into bows with different styling.
Perhaps the most style-shifting moment happened off the catwalk, though. In September, channeling Princess Diana, Kate Middleton sported a proper ’80s pussy bow alongside contemporary pieces like a suede jacket and dark brown boots. The effect was enchanting, an updated take on pastoral English style that feels right for the moment.
Why now? The bow mania that reached a crescendo early last year has subsided, and while that aesthetic was rooted in the nostalgia of girlhood, this one feels more grown-up. It’s a working woman’s flourish. Plus, the ’80s are about to be back in full force, and not just in an exaggerated, boom-boom way; think oversized blazers with faded jeans or ruffled dresses with slouchy low-heeled boots. You know the decade for its gold lamé and giant hair, sure, but there’s a quieter drama to a well-placed pussy bow. And as we return to the office in droves, this kind of detail (along with subtle shoulder pads and chunky jewelry) keeps your work wardrobe from feeling too pared-back—and can go from day to night.
So whether you need something to layer under a blazer at work, tuck into jeans on date night, or style with a leather skirt for truly fancy occasions, why not a pussy-bow blouse? Shop our trend edit, including everything from H&M to Saint Laurent, below.
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