Slink out of summer in a scarf-neck blouse
AFTeR a seemingly endless summer of spaghetti straps, sundresses and flipflops, the thought of wearing ‘proper’ clothes again feels positively thrilling.
I’m not talking about anything as autumnal as a tweed jacket (steady on there!), but a trophy blouse in a swishy silk or an eye-catching print is just the ticket to ease your wardrobe into the coming season.
The blouse you need is the scarfneck (aka the pussybow blouse reinvented), as seen on the runway at erdem, Prada and every Gucci show since alessandro Michele took the helm at the Italian brand.
If, like me, you grew up in the Seventies and eighties, you will be well-versed in the iconic allure of the pussybow blouse and the formidable women who wore them. In the political arena, it was a staple for everyone from Barbara castle to Margaret Thatcher.
and who can forget the sartorial flair of sitcom heroines like Prunella Scales as Sybil in Fawlty Towers, all big earrings, even bigger hair and invariably a super-feminine power blouse tied with a flamboyant bow?
essentiel antwerp has a fabulous Seventies floral-print blouse with a long, matching scarf to wrap around your neck (£140, essentiel-antwerp.com), which I can’t help thinking Sybil would approve of.
Before you hit the shops, it’s worth mentioning that there has been a bit of a movement of late to rename the pussybow blouse — its connotations deemed too patronising, too sexualised for modern women of substance.
SOMehOW,
Melania Trump (credited with semaphoring her world view through her wardrobe choices) got pulled into the discussion after she wore a striking fuchsia Gucci pussybow blouse to the second presidential debate.
Such sensitivities aside, I rather like the term ‘scarf-neck’ blouse, as it suggests a certain freedom and individuality — how you wear it is up to you.
Rixo has the perfect piece in next season’s power print — leopard! (£175, rixo.co.uk).
The slinky Seventies cut of this blouse rather invites you to let your tie hang loose, rather than knotting primly in a bow. It will look perfect in these last days of summer with white, frayed-hem jeans or a denim skirt and sandals and will carry you through to next season (pair with a black leather midi skirt and boots).
The Seventies mood — which pervades the designer collections for next season — is key to getting the look right.
Think of the billowing silks and flamboyant prints of designer Ossie clark (who loved a scarf-tie neck) and his wife celia Birtwell, who personified the look.
contemporary Brit duo Preen capture this kind of romantic, artsy flair. check out their Studio By Preen collection for Debenhams for an absolute steal (£55 reduced to £16.50, debenhams.com).
as with any retro trend, there are potential pitfalls to styling your scarf-neck blouse.
choose an exuberant vintage print, but avoid looking like you’re starring in a Seventies sitcom by not letting your hair get too big and leaving doorknocker earrings at home.
Temper the flamboyant neckline with jeans or tailored trousers. and, while a scarfneck blouse is a great piece for your work wardrobe, avoid pairing it with a bigshouldered power jacket (too stuffy) and don’t be tempted to wear it with a pencil skirt (too Fifties secretary).
For night, while it may be relatively covered up, a scarfneck blouse can look incredibly sexy. I adore Winser London’s ‘Lauren’ blouse (£195, winser
london.com), which the label offers season after season in slightly different colours, but is currently on- site in pearl and ivory shades.
Wear it with a smoking jacket if you really want to. Or simply let your blouse do the talking.