Shirt collar over top of jacket collar? - YouLookFab Forum

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Shirt collar over top of jacket collar?

Aziraphale

Veteran

Is there a "rule" here I don't know about? I quite like the look of a white collar folded up over top of a jacket collar, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I read/heard once that it looks tacky when you do that. I'm sort of new to dressing with a shirt and blazer, never having worked in an office setting (I've never owned a proper, office-appropriate suit), so maybe it's just that putting your shirt collar over your blazer collar is only inappropriate for formal business wear? Or maybe it's something that looks good for women but not for men? Or maybe I just imagined I heard that.

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm curious too. Sometimes a shirt collar simply does not lie well any way other than sitting outside of a jacket neckline. Especially a non-stiff shirt like silk.

celia

Veteran

Interesting question.I don't know the answer but recentelly we see button up shirts buttoned t the top which doesn't let you put the collars of the shirt on top of the jacket.
I guess it depends also of the shirt collar, there are some that can look very dated.

celia

Veteran

Like this one for example : http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/th.....othy-photo

Beth Ann

Veteran

I think this is one of those things that changes with fashion. In the late 70's, both collars and lapels were wide and laid open -- shirt over lapel, usually. More recently, I see the collar tucked in. I think a collar over a lapel would have a retro look that, if deliberate enough, could be marvelous. I'd love to hear Angie's take on this.

FlorenceFearne

I JUST read something the other day that said something to the effect that, "wearing your collar outside your jacket is only OK if you're John Travolta in the 70s." Piffle. I wear my collar outside my jacket all the time. I hate the way my collars bunch and crease and drag my whole shirt around otherwise.

elpgal

Veteran

Shirt collar on jacket collar used to be the norm when I was interviewing for jobs in the early 2000. Both the candidates and interviewers used to be dressed like this. I am curious what the trend is nowadays.

deb

Veteran

Mine is always under my jacket.

suzyq

"piffle" love it FF! What works between dueling collars, what color looks better against your skin? I will no longer let these "rules" stifle my creative process or personal style. I say bravely though I'm still in the process of figuring this out.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Under for me.

Deborah

Veteran

I tend to feel is a somewhat dated look...think Charlie's Angels :). I personally prefer a collar inside/under a jacket. It looks more crisp and modern. But that is simply my opinion:)

anne

Veteran

I am with Deborah

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't think it's a dated look. It's retro and looks fabulous to my eye. I like shirt collars worn under blazer collars too.

I often pop both collars. Or button up to the top of the shirt collar. See pics below. This type of "tacky" works for me in a '70s way.

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Adelfa

Veteran

Thanks, Angie. I usually wear silk shirts with blazers and the collar looks all smushed and assymetrical if I try to wear it inside. Good to know it's okay to wear it out!

Aziraphale

Veteran

Wow, sorry about the major post-and-run. It wasn't intentional.

Thanks all for your responses. Janet, Celia, Beth Ann, Elpgal, Adelfa: glad to hear I'm not the only one who will benefit from an answer to this question!

Florence, SuzyQ, Angie: thanks, that was the answer I was hoping to hear. Angie, thanks for the pictures; they are, as usual, worth 1000 words. I like how the overlying shirt collar looks in all those pics. Mind you, a popped collar works better on you than on me, because I don't have a long neck and my short bob gets in the way of the collar if it goes up too high in the back. But in your first three pics, where it's open and lying flat, is what will work for me.

Deb, Lyn D., Deborah, Anne: I appreciate all viewpoints, even those that differ from my own. I do actually wear my collar inside the jacket most of the time, but sometimes -- depending on the shape of both collars -- I think it looks pretty cool on top.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like collars both ways (depending) and I am glad to hear it's okay!

Deborah

Veteran

I am just popped back to say (because I had been giving some further thought) that a persons hair style can have an effect on this look working or not. I find the the way Angie wears the look to be very modern and I think her modern, cropped do adds to the modern look. Where as, for example, I don't think my hairstyle works well with that look. Long flowing locks can work too.

deb

Veteran

I came back, also, to see what everyone said. Angie, I wore my shirts this way in the '70s so maybe that is why I do not now. It feels very 'John Travolta' And polyester leisure suit-ish to me.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Deb, I can totally see your point. The polyester pantsuit/disco phenomenon was a bit before my time, so perhaps that's why the double collar doesn't put me off the way it does you. But I have seen Saturday Night Fever and I know exactly what you're talking about!

Deborah, I think you're right about the hairstyle. I'm only doing it now that my hair is a very short bob, but six months ago when it was shoulder-length and reminiscent of Frodo from Lord of the Rings (not my best look!), I don't think the double collar would have worked.

Anonymous

J'aime la photo 4 de angie avec le col boutonné

Anonymous

I've always worn my shirt collar over my jacket collar, but I was in high school in the late '70s, which might explain everything.