The Updated Lady: Supersized Bows and Funnel Necks, Styled Six Ways

LADYLIKE dressing has a reputation, and it is not always a fun one. But Vogue's fall trend report frames it differently. "The Updated Lady" is a fresh take on suiting for the modern woman, with feminine touches and softened structures, and they point to Chanel, Balenciaga and Jil Sander as the places to look. That, I can work with.

In practice it comes down to two very specific details. One is the bow, which has gotten much bigger and much less cute. The other is the funnel neck, the tall, stand-up collar that frames your face and makes a plain jacket look very finished. Below are three looks for each, followed by everything you need to try it yourself, gloves included.

ELLE Canada says to "think less sweet and more sculptural," and calls this new generation of structured, supersized bows, with Loewe's in the lead, "gutsy and glorious." I love that framing, because the bow has spent years as the most precious detail in fashion. Blown up and given some structure, it suddenly looks confident. The key is scale: one big bow at the neck does more than a scattering of little ones.

The first look keeps it crisp, with Patou's pale blue bow-detail gathered top, The Frankie Shop's gray Maybelle pencil skirt, Miu Miu's bow slingbacks and a black Ferragamo bow headband. The second is my favorite, a red Dolce & Gabbana sweater with a long tie bow, Frame's The Bow barrel-leg jeans, burgundy Saint Laurent Costume pumps and wine Agnelle gloves. The third is the softest, a pink Simone Rocha cardigan tied with ribbon bows over a navy Shushu/Tong velvet skirt, The Row's Boheme Mary Janes and a Miu Miu velvet bow clip. My tip is to let the bow be the only fussy thing and keep everything around it simple. What I would skip is a tiny, floppy bow in shiny satin. It reads like a party favor, not fall 2026.

Top right: Patou Bow Top, The Frankie Shop Maybelle Pencil Skirt, Miu Miu Bow Slingbacks, Valentino Veecolor Mini Bag, Magda Butrym Pearl Earrings, Ferragamo Bow Headband. Bottom left: Dolce & Gabbana Bow Sweater, Frame The Bow Jeans, Saint Laurent Costume Pumps, Toteme T-Lock Bag, Valentino V Logo Earrings, Agnelle Gloves. Bottom right: Simone Rocha Bow Cardigan, Shushu/Tong Velvet Midi Skirt, The Row Boheme Mary Janes, Valentino Vlogo Mini Bag, Loren Stewart Poet Earrings, Miu Miu Bow Clip.

According to ELLE Canada, whether it is grazing the chin at Chanel or almost covering the mouth at Balenciaga, "the funnel-neck jacket is officially a thing." They also credit Phoebe Philo with some of the best versions around since she launched her namesake brand. It makes sense to me. A tall collar does what a scarf does, only neater, and it makes even a very simple outfit look considered.

The fourth look starts with a chocolate Sportmax jacket that zips up into a funnel neck, over a burgundy Roland Mouret crêpe pencil skirt, with Saint Laurent's Le Loafer pumps, black leather gloves from Eaves and Phoebe Philo pearl earrings. The fifth swaps the jacket for a knit, a gray Toteme flared turtleneck over Loewe's camel asymmetric midi skirt, with Jimmy Choo's Alizze boots and an olive Toteme satchel. The sixth is the most relaxed, an oversized Toteme jacket buttoned high over a burgundy Lisa Yang cashmere turtleneck, The Frankie Shop's Doyer wide-leg pants and The Row's Liisa kitten pumps. My tip is to wear your hair up or tucked so the collar can do its job. What I would skip is a chunky necklace, which just fights the neckline.

Top right: Sportmax Jacket, Roland Mouret Pencil Skirt, Saint Laurent Le Loafer Pumps, Savette Symmetry Mini Bag, Eaves Leather Gloves, Phoebe Philo Pearl Earrings. Bottom left: Toteme Flared Turtleneck, Loewe Asymmetric Midi Skirt, Jimmy Choo Alizze Boots, Toteme T-Lock Satchel, Handsome Stockholm Long Gloves, Eliou Lilou Earrings. Bottom right: Toteme Oversized Jacket, Lisa Yang Fride Turtleneck, The Frankie Shop Doyer Pants, The Row Liisa Kitten Pumps, Balenciaga Rodeo Bag, Lie Studio Evelyn Earrings.

The updated lady still loves a pencil skirt, she just wears it longer. The Frankie Shop's Maybelle, Roland Mouret's crêpe skirt, Max Mara's pencil skirt and a Shushu/Tong bow-detail pencil all sit well below the knee, which is what keeps them from feeling stiff. For more movement, the Shushu/Tong ruffled velvet midi and Loewe's asymmetric skirt both have a little swing. And if a skirt is not happening, Frame's The Bow barrel-leg jeans and The Frankie Shop's Doyer wide-leg pants give you the same polish in a shape you can sit cross-legged in. My tip is to size for your hips and have the waist taken in if you need to. What I would skip is a short, tight pencil skirt with a high slit, which feels more costume than lady.

Ladylike shoes are having a very good fall. Miu Miu's bow slingbacks, Saint Laurent's Costume pump and Le Loafer pump, and The Row's Liisa kitten heel are all low enough to walk in and pointy enough to look sharp. The Row's Boheme Mary Janes are the flat option, and Jimmy Choo's Alizze boots cover the colder days. Bags are where you get to be a little proper: top handles from Toteme and Balenciaga, two small Valentino bags, the Savette Symmetry Mini and Toteme's olive satchel. My tip is to carry a top handle in the crook of your arm. It changes your whole posture. What I would skip is a slouchy hobo, which undoes all the structure the rest of the outfit is building.

This is the part of the trend I have the most fun with. Gloves are the accessory I keep reaching for this fall, and the pairs here from Agnelle, Handsome Stockholm and Eaves look great peeking out of a cropped or pushed-up sleeve. Pearls feel right too: Magda Butrym's floral pearl earrings, Loren Stewart's Poet pearls, Phoebe Philo's pearl and sterling silver earrings and Sophie Bille Brahe's Grande Rosette de Perles. For hair, a Ferragamo bow headband or a Miu Miu velvet bow clip is the easiest way into the bow trend if you would rather not wear it on your clothes. My tip is to match your gloves to your shoes. What I would skip is gloves, big earrings and a headband all at once. Two out of three is plenty.

The reason this version of ladylike feels new is that it never goes all the way. A big bow with jeans, a funnel neck with a plain skirt, pearls with a turtleneck. Pick one proper detail per outfit and let the rest stay easy, and you will look polished without looking like you are on your way to a christening. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together The Suit Reboot and Funnel neck coat.