Tie Neck Blouses: How to Tie and Wear a Pussy Bow

A tie neck blouse has a long strip of fabric at the collar that you can knot, bow, drape and let hang. When it is tied in a soft bow it is called a pussy bow blouse; tied flat like a necktie it reads as tailoring; left loose it falls like a scarf. That flexibility is why it has outlived every trend since the 1970s: one blouse gives you three necklines.

For Autumn Winter 2026 ME+EM makes the tie optional on most of its blouses, so the same piece also works plain. This guide covers the main styles, how to tie each look, what to wear a tie blouse with, which fabrics to choose, and the ME+EM tie blouses on Coveti, including two new arrivals this week.

Tie neck blouse styles at a glance

New in: two tie blouses for AW26

The Leopard Print Straight Blouse in Brown Multi ($450) is from ME+EM’s Spring Summer 2027 collection. It is cut straight in ME+EM’s matte modern crepe, with deep cuffs and full-length sleeves, and the matching leopard tie is meant to be knotted like a necktie for a suiting edge. Leopard print in brown and black works as a neutral: wear it with chocolate, black, camel and denim. Read our leopard print jackets guide for how to wear the print head to toe.

The Silk Cotton Cloud Layering Shirt in Chocolate ($340) is semi-sheer, in a 70% cotton, 30% silk blend that ME+EM named for its weightless, supersoft finish. The tie is long and optional. It is designed to layer under a fine knit; the brand pairs it with its cashmere Baby Tee so the collar and tie show at the neck. It also comes in Warm Cream ($340).

How to tie a tie neck blouse

The pussy bow. Tie a single knot at the collar, make a loop with each end, then tie the loops as you would a shoelace. Pull the loops wide and let the tails fall. A soft fabric such as satin makes a fuller bow; a stiff one makes a neat, small bow.

The necktie. Wrap the longer end around the shorter one, bring it up behind and down through the loop, and slide the knot up to the collar. It looks best with a fluid crepe, which lies flat, and a blazer over it.

The loose drape. Leave the tie undone and let both ends fall down the front, which lengthens the body. ME+EM suggests draping the tie of its foulard satin blouse around the shoulders, a trick that works with any long tie.

The half knot. One loose knot, sitting a few centimetres below the collar, with the top button open. The most relaxed version, and the best with jeans.

What to wear with a tie neck blouse

• Tailoring: the necktie knot inside a blazer is the modern office uniform. Pair the leopard blouse with a chocolate blazer and trouser; see our women’s pant suits guide.
• Knitwear: a crew-neck jumper over a tie blouse, with the bow pulled out over the neckline, is the easiest layered look. ME+EM’s High Neck Straight Jumper in Cocoa Brown ($430) suits the chocolate Cloud shirt. More in our how to layer a shirt under a jumper guide.
• Skirts: a soft bow with a full midi skirt is the 1970s look; with a pencil skirt it reads as office. See ME+EM skirts.
• Jeans: loose drape, sleeves pushed up, a barrel jean and loafers. ME+EM fits deep elasticated cuffs to several blouses so pushed-up sleeves stay put.
• Evening: a satin tie blouse with a velvet trouser, the tie draped open around the shoulders.

The ME+EM tie blouses on Coveti

• Layering Shirt in Bay Green ($570): pure silk satin with a fluid drape and a matching tie. The suiting shirt for evening.
• Straight Blouse in Brown Multi ($570): mid-weight silk with a matte finish, a geometric print, a matching neck tie and a separate elastic arm band to keep rolled sleeves in place.
• Straight Blouse in Light Cream Multi ($430): a micro foulard print on fluid satin, with gathering at the back yoke, half-shirred cuffs and an optional tie.
• Straight Blouse in Pink Multi ($450): a paisley satin with flared sleeves, a buttoned neckline and an optional scarf tie.
• AM-PM Straight Blouse in Black Multi ($470): a sheer crinkle floral with a matching necktie and a separate black cami, so it goes from office to dinner.
• Collar Straight Blouse in Light Cream ($530): a viscose and silk jacquard with lace trims, elasticated cuffs and an optional tie.
• Layering Top in Light Cream ($340): a jersey body with woven sleeves, a half-button placket and an optional necktie; the tie blouse that fits under a knit without bulk.

Which fabric to choose

Silk satin has the most lustre and makes the fullest bow; best for evening. Matte silk and modern crepe lie flat, so they suit the necktie knot and tailoring. Silk and cotton voile, like the Cloud shirt, is light and semi-sheer, made for layering. Jacquard has texture, which hides creases on a long day. Most silk blouses are dry clean only; check the care tab on each product page.

How a tie blouse should fit

A tie blouse should be straight and slightly loose through the body so it drapes; a tight blouse pulls the tie sideways. Sleeves should reach the wrist when your arms are down, and deep cuffs can be pushed up. ME+EM blouses run on a UK 4 to 18 ladder and most fit true to size; every Coveti product page gives the model’s height and size and a centimetre measurement table. See the ME+EM size guide and our broader ME+EM blouses and tops guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a tie neck blouse and a pussy bow blouse?

A pussy bow blouse is a tie neck blouse tied in a soft bow. Every pussy bow blouse is a tie neck blouse, but a tie neck can also be knotted like a necktie and left loose.

How do you tie a tie neck blouse?

For a bow, tie one knot, make two loops and tie them like a shoelace. For a necktie, wrap the long end around the short end, bring it through the loop and slide it to the collar.

What do you wear with a tie neck blouse?

A blazer and trouser for the office, a crew-neck jumper with the bow pulled out, a midi skirt, and jeans with the tie left loose.

Are tie neck blouses in style in 2026?

Yes. ME+EM alone has more than ten tie blouses across Autumn Winter 2026 and Spring Summer 2027, most with an optional tie so the blouse also works plain.

Can you wear a tie neck blouse under a jumper?

Yes. Choose a light, slim blouse such as the semi-sheer ME+EM Cloud Layering Shirt, wear a crew-neck knit over it and pull the tie out at the neck.

How much is a ME+EM tie blouse?

On Coveti ME+EM tie blouses cost from $340 for the Cloud Layering Shirt and Layering Top to $570 for the pure silk styles.