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Shirt collars over lapels?

benstephens

Practically Family
Messages
689
Location
Aldershot, UK
This was certainly a very popular look in England. Look at the pictures of young men in the heatwave of 39 in London, and the young men on Brighton beach.

I like the look, it is comfy as well!

Kindest Regards

Ben
 

Derek WC

Banned
Messages
599
Location
The Left Coast
Feraud said:
Looks cool and casual. You need the right collar to pull it off.

It seems you need the really long spearpoint collar, if it's too short it doesn't look right

I agree with what Tomasso said, that's pretty odd.
 

Tomasso

Incurably Addicted
Messages
13,719
Location
USA
IMO, the seam which joins the standard collar (band and leaf) is unsightly when worn over a jacket collar.


sean_connery-1.jpg
 

BanjoMerlin

A-List Customer
Messages
477
Location
New Hampshire, USA
This look has been so common in so many decades I've come to think it is more a matter of practicality. If you remove your tie and open the collar those collar tips are going to move around. One or the other will often work its way over the lapel anyway. Better to put them both over the collar and make it look intentional.

Or wear a button-down shirt when you aren't going to be fastening the collar. The "No, I didn't just remove my tie. I didn't wear one today." look.
 

The Good

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,361
Location
California, USA
I have never done this before, but personally, I don't think I could do it without looking a bit flamboyant, although some could pull it off without so much of that effect. I think if anything, it looks less "flamboyant" the older the wearer is. Just my two cents.

Until I've actually researched this topic at the Lounge, I have always pretty much associated the shirt-collar-over-lapels look with appearing 1970s (think of the funky, wide-collared, disco stereotypes), although that is just past ignorance on the subject coming to mind.
 

BanjoMerlin

A-List Customer
Messages
477
Location
New Hampshire, USA
J B said:
I have always pretty much associated the shirt-collar-over-lapels look with appearing 1970s.

I remember it well. "Suits" that were intended to be worn without a necktie (though some affected an ascot) and shirts with huge collars to be worn over the lapels. Most of the suits and shirts were polyester and very uncomfortable, much like wearing a large plastic bag.

Shoes with very thick soles, I often felt that I would fall off them.

Hopefully that style won't be back soon!
 

Micawber

A-List Customer
Messages
395
Location
Great Britain.
benstephens said:
This was certainly a very popular look in England. Look at the pictures of young men in the heatwave of 39 in London, and the young men on Brighton beach.

I like the look, it is comfy as well!

Kindest Regards

Ben

Indeed, it was de rigueur summer casual for some for several decades:

My grandfather in the early '20's
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...and in the late '30's
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Messages
11,579
Location
Covina, Califonia 91722
J B said:
Until I've actually researched this topic at the Lounge, I have always pretty much associated the shirt-collar-over-lapels look with appearing 1970s (think of the funky, wide-collared, disco stereotypes), although that is just past ignorance on the subject coming to mind.

Yes, in the realm of men's fashion, styles get recycled as a regular theme but with a twist that makes it of the time. In the 1960's when bellbottom pants came into fashion my dad talked about how in the 1920's bellbottoms were popular too so it took 40-50 years for it to come back. There was a push to try to relive the 1960's hippie look but it remains a backwater trend.

Matt Deckard has talked about recycled styles and is a hoot to take to the vintage stores because he can identify what's original and what recycled fashion.
 

CircuitRider

One of the Regulars
Messages
208
Location
Southern Indiana
CircuitRider said:
...To complete this look...all you need is a lime green polyester "Leisure Suit" and a large gold chain!:eusa_clap

A matter of preference, but I prefer a shirt with a button down collar when worn with a sport jacket, I've never gotten used to the celebs and the suit with no tie look.:(
 

Widebrim

I'll Lock Up
I have done it with a Bold Look sports coat of mine, and I think it comes off fine. Like others have said, though, it depends on the length and construction of the shirt collar. In the distant past, I would also (rarely) button the top button of a sports shirt, keeping the collar under the lapels, of course.
 

Hal

Practically Family
Messages
590
Location
UK
CircuitRider said:
A matter of preference, but I prefer a shirt with a button down collar when worn with a sport jacket, I've never gotten used to the celebs and the suit with no tie look.
I have never liked, and shall probably never like, open-necked shirts with any lapelled jacket, whether sports jacket, blazer or suit, and don't understand the wide popularity of this incongruous combination today.
 

Mr Vim

One Too Many
Messages
1,306
Location
Juneau, Alaska
Micawber, those are fantastic pictures, where was the third one taken? It looks like some sort of boardwalk, I cna just barely make out a building in the background.
 

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