Funnel-Neck Jackets: The Fashion Phenomenon Sweeping the High Street
The Duchess of Sussex recently turned heads during a trip to Jordan, sporting a porridge-coloured funnel-neck jacket from Zara. This simple yet striking piece, priced at £109, marked a departure from her usual cashmere wardrobe and highlighted a broader trend that is captivating fashion enthusiasts worldwide. From celebrities to political figures, the funnel-neck jacket is emerging as a must-have outerwear item, with sales at John Lewis skyrocketing by an astonishing 1,000% year on year.
The Rise of the Funnel-Neck Jacket
Characterised by its boxy, generously cut design and a permanently popped collar that ranges from 9cm to 14cm high, the funnel-neck jacket offers a unique blend of style and functionality. It covers the mouth while allowing visibility, earning it the nickname "one and done" coat from John Lewis's design director, as it eliminates the need for a scarf. This high-street giant currently stocks 10 different versions, reflecting its widespread appeal.
Elsewhere, Marks & Spencer is selling 10 funnel necks daily, while brands like Reiss, Uniqlo, and Mango are experiencing sell-out success with their variations. Vogue magazine has even highlighted high-neck coats from Barbour, Monki, and Uniqlo as chic essentials. The trend is not limited to women; Burberry recently introduced a black greatcoat with a funnelled leather collar, suggesting it could replace the trench coat as the must-have outerwear for 2026.
Celebrity and Political Endorsements
The funnel-neck jacket has become a fashion fixture among high-profile individuals, often serving as a subtle communication tool. For instance, the first lady of New York, Rama Duwaji, wore two different funnel-neck coats in brown and black during her husband's inauguration ceremonies, sparking discussions about its potential as a uniform for the progressive left. Similarly, Victoria Beckham showcased a leather funnel-neck jacket in her recent documentary, which later became a catwalk success, and her son Cruz adopted a similar style for his band's tour.
Bridget Dalton, a semiotician and cultural analyst at Truth Consulting, describes this trend as "performative hiding." She notes, "It's like celebrities so-called hiding in their baseball caps. The reality is, these styling tricks simply make them stand out more. Forget quiet luxury. This is more like silent luxury." This high neckline is seen as a departure from traditional womenswear, rendering wearers as "anti-trad wives" by covering the décolletage.
Historical Roots and Modern Adaptations
Funnel necks have deep roots in both military coats and luxury fashion. During the 1950s, iconic designers like Balenciaga and Givenchy introduced high-neck outerwear into their collections. Audrey Hepburn's portrayal in the 1963 film Charade, wearing a Givenchy cherry-red skirt suit with a high neckline, romanticised this spy-wear aesthetic. More recently, Phoebe Philo launched her eponymous brand in 2023 with a generously cut leather jacket featuring an eye-height funnel neck, influencing catwalks at Chloé, Proenza Schouler, Gucci, Stella McCartney, and others.
From the catwalks to political podiums and high-street stores, the funnel-neck jacket is making a bold statement. It blends practicality for cooler weather with a fashion-forward edge, challenging traditional norms and offering a fresh take on outerwear. As sales continue to soar and celebrities embrace the trend, it's clear that this jacket is more than just a passing fad—it's a cultural movement hiding in plain sight.
