Amanda Seyfried’s Venice Bow Look: The Surprising Style Hack That’s Rewriting Fashion Rules—And How You Can Own It Too

Have you ever wondered if the humble bow has been stretched to its absolute limits in fashion? Honestly, I thought we’d seen every trick in the book—from replacing buttons and clasps to serving as hair clips, neckties, even eyelash extensions. Yet just when I thought bows had lost their element of surprise, Amanda Seyfried sashayed onto the 82nd Venice International Film Festival red carpet with a bow look I hadn’t seen before—a vermillion statement on a navy bustier dress that flirted with tradition yet dared to reinvent it. It made me pause and think: can a bow really still flip the script in 2025? Seyfried’s debut gown for the premiere of The Testament of Ann Lee has me convinced—there’s always room for one more stunning twist. If you’re curious about this bow moment that’s turning heads and rewriting style rules, dive in with me. LEARN MORE

At this point, it feels as if we’ve seen nearly every iteration of the bow. Those coquettish loops have been used as a substitute for buttons and clasps, or to replace a whole bodice. Designers and stylists have utilized them in place of hair clips, neckties, belts, and impressively, even eyelash extensions. Still, I managed to be surprised when Amanda Seyfried arrived to the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on Monday, wearing a look that incorporated a bow in a way I’d never seen.

For the global premiere of her new historical drama, The Testament of Ann Lee, Seyfried walked the red carpet in a custom dress from Prada.

Amanda Seyfried walks the red carpet at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.

The romantic, navy-blue design featured large buttons that went up the front and ended along a strapless, bustier-style bodice. Right along the chest, the gown was pinned with a vermillion bow, which extended into two cascading ribbons that floated down Seyfried’s sides. The ribbons trailed freely before eventually attaching to the fabric again, where they acted as trim.

Seyfried attended the festival to promote her new historical drama, The Testament of Ann Lee.

At one point, as she walked the red carpet, Seyfried even lifted her skirt to reveal that the color of the bow matched the hue of her dress’ lining.

She lifted her skirt at one point to reveal the gown’s bright-red lining.

The Mean Girls star completed her look with a set of black platform heeled sandals and a velvet choker with a diamond gemstone and crystal leaf in the center. Finally, she pulled her hair into a tight bun, adding an extra element of elegance to the fit.

With her Venice run, Seyfried has certainly been making a splash, first with her matching moment with Julia Roberts, and now this. If only there were a Golden Lion to award her for the most memorable red-carpet style.