High Necks Take Over: Sales Soar 1,000%

The funnel-neck jacket, distinguished by its permanently popped collar extending between 9cm and 14cm, is rapidly gaining traction in the fashion world. Sales at John Lewis have seen an astonishing 1,000% increase year-on-year for this outerwear style. Retailers like Marks & Spencer, Reiss, Uniqlo, and Mango are all stocking various iterations of the funnel neck, with Vogue highlighting high-neck coats as particularly chic.

The trend extends beyond everyday wear, with public figures like the Duchess of Sussex in Jordan and New York's first lady, Rama Duwaji, seen in funnel-neck coats, suggesting a potential "uniform of the progressive left." This style has earned nicknames such as "feminist facelift" for its ability to obscure the lower face without cosmetic intervention.

Cultural analyst Bridget Dalton describes the phenomenon as "performative hiding" and "silent luxury," noting a paradox where attempts to conceal actually draw more attention. The high neckline is seen as a counterpoint to historically dominant low-cut styles, rendering the wearer an "anti-trad wife."

Historically, high necks have roots in mid-20th century luxury fashion, with designers like Balenciaga and Givenchy incorporating them into collections, notably romanticized by Audrey Hepburn. More recently, Phoebe Philo's eponymous brand launched with a prominent funnel-neck jacket, influencing subsequent runway shows from Chloé to Gucci, solidifying the funnel jacket's status from high fashion to the high street.