The Duchess of Cambridge wears an £80 pussy-bow blouse on International Women’s Day

In a new video released to mark Monday’s International Women’s Day, the Duchess of Cambridge has debuted a new high street blouse with a feminist twist.

Kate is seen video-calling Jasmine Harrison, the record-breaking 21-year-old who in February became the youngest woman to ever row solo across the Atlantic. ‘On the call the pair discussed how celebrating and elevating awareness of this achievement can work to challenge perceptions around what women are capable of, in addition to providing the motivation to pursue ambitious goals,’ a spokesperson said.

The call was recorded last week, before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s landmark interview with Oprah Winfrey had aired, but made public today in recognition of International Women’s Day celebrations.

For the occasion, the Duchess chose to wear an £80 printed pink blouse from British high street brand Boden. The splash print style is sold out in pink, but still available in other colours.

The pussy-bow style is loaded with history, worn by Prime Ministers, First Ladies and television icons, offering a suitable nod to the occasion.

The neck-tie blouse became a symbol of female power dressing when worn by Margaret Thatcher in office, and of ultimate fashion flair when worn by Princess Diana - the pussy-bow blouse was the first piece in Diana’s official Royal wardrobe, worn to announce her 1981 engagement to Prince Charles. 

Over the years the pussy-bow has been worn to mark incredible moments for women in positions of power, such as when Vice President Kamala Harris wore a white silk pussy bow blouse with a suffragette white trouser suit, to claim her historic victory alongside Joe Biden in November 2020.

The Duchess of Cambridge has worn the pussy-bow blouse style on multiple occasions in the past. A favourite in her wardrobe is a purple silk Gucci incarnation, debuted in March 2019 and worn again in November 2020.

Depending on how the knot is tied, the pussy-bow style can read as relaxed, when open or loose, or business-ready, when neatly knotted. The wearer can also play with the scale and shape of the knot - the Duchess’s tie is neat but full, a classic choice that Her Majesty the Queen has been championing since the 1980s.

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