Jess Cartner-Morley: Feminine fashion is back, but with a modern twist | fashion

TThis is what looks polite now. Feminine pastel colors to catch the eye and set a certain tone? Mark. Jacket designed to win over maitre de? attic. brooch? Present and correct. Elegant handbag, modest silhouette, a little lace to spruce things up? Check, check, check.

Ladylike is all about looking like you mean business, but prefer that business be done over a pair of Dover slippers, a good glass of white and a side order of spicy gossip. Feminine clothing experiences a fashion revival every few years because the look it represents – glamorous yet steely – has an evergreen appeal. Ladylike cannot be underestimated, and she has never looked better than in the latest fashion trends. When you feel this new, what’s not to love?

If you thought chic jackets, faux fur shawls, cute skirts, and charming vintage jewelry were out of fashion, think again. Feminine fashion is back in a big way. I try not to talk too much about fashion shows in these columns because I feel it’s best not to be taken too seriously, but Miu Miu Fall 2025 collectionwhich premiered in Paris earlier this year, marked a watershed moment for the lady. The slip-on hats and dresses, and the bras that stood out proudly beneath sheer pastel jackets, were simultaneously deliciously retro and seductively updated.

I’m not seriously suggesting shawls and bras for school. Catwalk fashion is always best consumed with a pinch of salt. But there were a lot of details in the Miu Miu show that are really useful tricks to make feminine fashion look modern. An unexpected shoe or sock — or both — goes a long way toward jazzing up a look that can seem stuck in a 20th-century to 21st-century race. A loafer rather than a dressy slingback shoe or ballet flat brings a fun, “no mess” earthiness to the silhouette, but still looks great for fitted, ready-to-wear outfits. Or you can wear kitten heels, but with a ribbed sock.

Ladylike is often underrated as an ambiance because her tone is spoken softly and does not scream at people to be heard. But although a ladylike look is feminine, it’s not just decorative. Ladylike is polite, but not a pushover. She has the quiet strength that good character commands. There is a rigor to polite posture: legs crossed demurely at the ankles when seated, yes, but more importantly, back straight and chin up.

The key to making a feminine look fashionable is that your clothes should have a strong and durable element. Resist social conditioning that tells you to try to look soft. Balance flimsy items — a lace-trimmed skirt — with something solid like a chunky knit or sweater. Enjoy the colors. This is one of the best things about the ladylike trend. These work well with cool pastel colors: lemon, purple, things like that. Avoid worrying too much about matching colors or it will look a bit like an Easter egg, which is not what we’re going for with this. Instead, mix pastel colors with plain colors – lemon with denim blue, bright pink with burgundy, and purple with chocolate brown.

This version of polite doesn’t take it seriously. Polka dots are very lively: they always look smart, but they also make you smile. Maybe a polka dot silk dress with chunky shoes. One of the nice things about wearing clothes that have a certain formality — tweed jackets, heathered silks, lace-edged skirts — is that you have room to add a little chaos. To hit the edges, if you know what I mean. Instead of wearing one beautiful necklace, you can wear three necklaces of different lengths. I might try a suitably organized handbag, and if I do, I wouldn’t rule out adding a charm or two to the bag. Ladies: Shall we have lunch?

model:Ellen in Body London. Hair and makeup: Delilah Blakeney using Color Wow and Nars. Jacket, £109.99, Mango. Blouse, £24, and skirt, £34, both from Asos. Brooch, £75, Essential Antwerp. Shoes, £250, Russell & Bromley. The bag is £27.99, the earrings are £9.99, both from H&M