A Brief History of the Bow Blouse

The bow blouse—equal parts chic and subversive—has long been a staple in women’s wardrobes, but its roots go deeper than you might expect. Originally emerging in the early 20th century, the bow blouse became a fashion-forward nod to traditional menswear. Think: the feminine answer to the male necktie. But as with many things in fashion, what began as an aesthetic choice evolved into something more meaningful.

Olivia wears our blue pinstripe bow blouse...

In the 1940s and '50s, women in the workforce began adopting the bow blouse as a polished, professional staple—practical, but never dull. Then came the 1980s power-dressing era, when designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel elevated the look to iconic status (see amazing archive examples in this VOGUE article). Shoulder pads may have come and gone, but the bow blouse stayed. It offered a whisper of femininity in boardrooms full of suits, giving women the space to embrace softness and strength.

Olivia wears our black bow blouse...

Today, the bow blouse is just as relevant—worn loose and undone for an effortlessly cool look or tied in a perfect pussybow for maximum drama. At Lindsay Nicholas New York, we see it as a wardrobe workhorse with personality: timeless, versatile, and unapologetically stylish.

Fashion may change, but the bow blouse? She endures—with a wink and a knot.