Collars are essential parts of most garments because they frame the face, add a touch of elegance to the garment, and keep the neck warm. It is hard to avoid adding a collar as a design feature when making clothes, thus, it is important to know the different types of collars.
There are 3 main types of collars: flat collar, roll collar, and stand collar. All the other collars are variations of the 3 main styles. In this article, we will have a close look at the very many collars that are a part of everyday style and couture.
We’ll review such topics as:
Collars were invented with the purpose of framing the neckline and complementing the face. There are multiple types of collars and they vary in various aspects including; cut, placement, size, and fullness. Some styles are classic and common while others are barely known by sewists and other practitioners in the couture world.
Collars are majorly classified according to the utilization of the collar stand and are just variations of the classic flat, roll, and stand collars. Here are some of the well-known types of dress collars:
This collar lives up to its title as it gives the impression of wrapping around like a shawl. It is a turned-down collar with a wide lapel.
This is a stand-up style collar. It is adapted from the Chinese mandarin traditional collar. The collar’s front has a slit with curved edges.
This is one of the most popular collar styles out there. It is a variant of the rolled collar and it lies flat on the neck. The Peter Pan collar is a small delicate collar with curved edges.
This is also popularly known as Jabot collar. A Jabot is a decorative piece of fabric attached to the base of the neck with a collar. The collar is basically just a piece of fabric cut in the flounce shape and arranged as a cascade.
The Puritan collar is a classic and elegant design for women’s dresses. It is characterized by a high, stiff collar that stands upright, creating a sophisticated and regal look. The Puritan collar is often paired with long sleeves and a modest neckline, creating a conservative and refined look.
This is pretty much a turned-down cutaway collar which is a collar with a wide spread.
Also known as the boat neck, the bateau collar stretches across the collarbone to each neckline. It runs horizontally, back and forth almost to the shoulder points.
This is a large, round, flat collar, usually made with any type of lace, and has a low neckline. It can either be made detachable or sewn on the garment. It is used to add a touch of sophistication to any everyday casual-formal garment. If you have seen a period dress costume before, you know what a Bertha collar looks like.
This is like a wing-tipped collar but with large lapels. The collar is stiff and turned up and its points are turned down over the tie.
This is a type of flat collars. It has a low V-shaped neck that has a straight collar set into it. The collar meets at the front. John Travolta wears the style in the movie Saturday Night Fever.
This is a variation of a revers collar. A revers collar is a flat v-shaped notched collar with square corners on the lapel. It is common on blouses. The clover revers has round corners instead of square corners on the collar and lapel.12. Convertible collar
A convertible collar is the most adaptable collar. Just like its name suggests, it can lay flat and be closed by buttoning up or it can stay open.
This is a short-standing collar. Some experts claim that it is more of a neck trim than a collar. It is attached all around the neckline.
This is a non-permanent collar attached to the garment by stitching. They are usually available separately and can be used on different garments. You can use a detachable collar to boost the overall look of your garment.
This collar lives up to its name as it is shaped like dog’s ears. It is commonly applied on drizzler jackets which are a kind of rainwear.
This is a wide-standing collar that stands a bit far from the neck and face of the wearer.
This is a collar with lacy ruffles falling down from the neckline onto the chest to form a decorative frill on a blouse’s or shirt’s front.
This is another small high-standing collar. It is normally attached to a V-neck but it doesn’t go to the end of the V of the neckline.
This is a narrow-cut collar. It has squared ends at the center-front and it drops from a round neckline.
The Ruff, is a piece of pleated or gathered fabric around the neckline. It was popular in the 17th century but the modern versions of the collar are much shorter.
This is a version of a flat collar. It is adapted from one of the sailor’s uniforms. The collar has square panels that fold down from the neckline.
From simple and understated to dramatic and elegant, the different types of collars offer endless options for women looking to express their personal style. Some of the most popular types of collars on blouses include straight collars, sailor collars, mandarin collars, flat collars, jabot collars, detachable collars, bertha collars, and more. Read on and find different types of collars on women’s shirts and blouses.
Straight collars are a simple and timeless design for women’s shirts. They are characterized by a straight edge that runs along the neckline, creating a classic and understated look. They can be found in a range of materials and styles, from cotton to silk, and can be paired with a button-up or button-down fronts for a clean and polished look.
Peter Pan collars are a cute and feminine design for women’s shirts. They are characterized by a small, rounded collar that sits flat against the neckline, creating a playful and charming look. Peter Pan collars are often paired with button-up fronts and short sleeves, creating a sweet and innocent look.
Sailor collars are a classic and playful design for women’s shirts. Inspired by the collars worn by sailors, they feature a wide, downward-facing collar that adds a touch of nautical charm to any outfit. They are often paired with button-up fronts and short sleeves, creating a casual and relaxed look.
Mandarin collars are a sleek and modern design for women’s shirts. They are characterized by a small, upright collar that stands straight up and is closed at the neck, creating a chic and sophisticated look. They are often paired with button-up fronts and clean lines, creating a minimalist and modern look.
Flat collars are a simple and understated design for women’s shirts. They have a flat, straight edge that runs along the neckline, creating a clean and polished look. They are often paired with button-up fronts, creating a classic and timeless look.
Jabot collars are a playful and feminine design for women’s shirts. They are characterized by a decorative ruffle or pleated detail that drapes down the front of the shirt, adding a touch of texture and style. Jabot collars are often paired with button-up fronts, creating a charming and romantic look.
Detachable collars are versatile and stylish designs for women’s shirts. They are collars that can be removed and attached to a shirt as needed, allowing for multiple different looks and styles with just one shirt.
Bertha collars are a dramatic and elegant design for women’s shirts. They are characterized by a wide, circular collar that drapes down the front of the shirt, creating a sophisticated and regal look. Bertha collars are often paired with button-up fronts and long sleeves, creating a formal and dressy look.
This collar has a broad front section and usually covers part of the chest. The bib collar is commonly known to be a false collar and is usually stitched into the low-cut front of the garment. You can choose to make it detachable or permanent.
This is common on blazers and shirt blouses. Its design is based on the lapel collar shape. It has a triangular notch and squared tips.
There are different types of shirt collars. Men’s shirt collars are different from women’s collars. When you are coming up with shirt sewing patterns, you have to factor in the type of collar you’ll be using.
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Here are the different collars on men’s shirts:
This is the classic shirt collar. It is secured with small buttons at the points. It was originally used on polo player’s shirts, and thus has a sporty vibe.
Also popularly known as the Eton collar, the Club collar features short rounded points. It can be worn with or without a tie.
This is a formal collar style. It is also known as the pinned collar and has a link between its sides that holds it in place. The link also holds up a tie.
This utilizes the button-down concept, except its button is hidden under the collar tips.
This is like a fusion of the straight collar and the spread style of a collar. It has a smaller spread with shorter points, and thus looks good when worn casually.
There are 5 different types of spread:
Windsor Spread – This is a conservative British collar that must be worn with a tie.
Varsity Spread – This is a casual collar with curved round points.
Cutaway – This has its points sticking out at 45 degrees and is popularly used for dramatic neckwear and bolder ties because of its extra width.
Extreme cutaway – This is a version of the cutaway. It has a wider spread and is suited to formal events.
English spread -This is also a traditional conservative collar like the Windsor. It has a wider spread than the Windsor and it looks fantastic with a Windsor knot tie. An edge stitch also adds flair to the collar.
This is the classic men’s shirt collar. It is also known as the point collar and can be worn for both formal and casual functions with or without a tie.
This is a shorter version of the straight collar. It is best worn with a knot tie in either silk fabric or light cotton.
This is a very formal stand-up collar with tips that stand up at the side it is normally worn with a tuxedo and bow tie.
The mandarin or band collar is a popular and stylish option for men’s shirts. This collar style is characterized by a small, upright collar that stands straight up and is closed at the neck, creating a sleek and modern look. Unlike traditional collars with points, the mandarin collar has a clean and unbroken line, giving it a minimalist and contemporary feel.
This is another stand-up collar. The height of the collar’s stand-up usually varies and sometimes it can bunch up under the neck or roll down. It is also made of rib fabric like the Polo neck collar.
This type also mentioned above can be seen not only on dresses but also on sweaters. It is characterized by a wide, scarf-like collar that drapes down from the neck, creating a soft and comfortable look. Shawl collars are often knit from thick and warm materials, making them ideal for cold-weather wear.
The bateau collar, also known as a boat neck, is a popular style for women’s sweaters. This type of collar features a wide, slightly curved neckline that sits just above the collarbone. This type of collar is often found on pullover sweaters, but can also be found on cardigans and other styles of knitwear.
The cowl collar is a type of sweater collar that features a loose, draped neckline. It creates a soft, relaxed look that is both stylish and comfortable. The cowl collar is made by twisting the fabric of the sweater and draping it over the shoulders, giving it a distinctive and cozy appearance.
This is very similar to a turtle neck collar, except it is shorter. It is also a stand-up collar style made with rib fabric.
Jackets are a crucial piece of clothing in any wardrobe and serve a dual purpose of providing warmth and style. A key design element of any jacket is its collar, and with so many different types to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you so read on and make your decision.
This is also a variation of the revers collar. Instead of square corners, the L-revers has L-shaped corners on its lapel.
This type of collar features a V-shaped cutout at the front and is commonly found on blazers and sports coats.
This type of collar features an attached hood, making it a practical choice for outdoor and athletic jackets.
This collar is made to be zipped up around the neck, providing added warmth and protection.
A lapel collar is a type of collar that folds over and is commonly found on formal jackets, such as blazers and sports coats.
As a beginner sewist or fashion designer, you can get confused by the different terms used to describe collars. Here are some of the most common terms:
Point. This is the tip of the collar. Some collars usually have buttonholes on the point to allow for it to be buttoned up.
Tie space. This is the distance between the top points of a collar. The space allows for the knot of a tie.
Spread. This is the total distance between the two tips of the collar.
Slope. This is the total length of a collar from the neckband to the tip.
Lapel. This is the part that folds over from the neckline and is shaped according to the collar’s style.
Collar stand. This is the height at which the collar rolls over the back of the neckline.
Roll line. This is the part that folds over the collar stand.
Band. This is a piece of fabric attached to the outer collar to make the collar stand perpendicular to the body of the garment.
Collar stiffeners. These are inserted into the band to stiffen the band.
A stand-up collar is called by several names, depending on the design and style, including:
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A Mandarin collar is a small, upright collar that stands straight up and is closed at the neck.
