In the mid 1800s, smoking after dinner became fashionable in London and men would switch from their formal dinner jackets into a velvet or silk smoking jacket, worn with shawl lapel, as a way to prevent the smoke from spoiling their clothes.
In this post
What is a shawl neckline?
A shawl collar is a collar combined with a lapel. It is usually a rounded collar paired with a V-neckline that extends over the chest and tapers near the waist. This type of collar is commonly seen on cardigan sweaters, jackets, blouses and robes.
What is a shawl collar style?
Style Defined: Shawl Lapel
That is, the lapel has no notch, no peak, but is a continuous strip of fabric running from lapel to collar to lapel, and only tapering off when it finally hits the button closure. Generally, a shawl lapel is seen as one of the most formal lapel styles for a jacket.
Is shawl collar formal?
Instead, they consist of an unbroken shawl of fabric around the collar of a jacket. Typically, this style of lapel is reserved for dinner jackets. There’s a pretty good reason for this: shawl lapels are generally considered the most formal type of lapel.
What was the original purpose of lapels?
However, when the weather would get hot, wearers would be unfasten those stuffy high collars and leave them flopped to the sides, to ensure maximum air flow and cooling. Over time, that more relaxed look evolved into what we know as the lapel today.
Who should wear a shawl lapel?
If you want to wear a tuxedo that is more casual and versatile, then pick one with notch lapels. If your event is formal but less stuffy, go for a shawl collar tuxedo. If it’s an evening-gown affair or if you’d like to look especially sharp, choose a tuxedo with peak lapels.
What is a Chelsea collar?
The CHELSEA collar is a classic collar with pointed flaps and a round shape in the back. It fits PUFF AND PENCIL dresses and blouses with a V-neck and is sewn in a ‘sandwich’ between facing and neckline. The sewing pattern is printed on A4 pages and taped together with tape or glue.
What is Bertha collar?
(ˈbɜːrθə) noun. a collar or trimming, as of lace, worn about the shoulders by women, as over a low-necked waist or dress.
How many types of collars are there?
There are several types of collars. The three basic types are flat, standing, and rolled. Flat – lies flat and next to the garment at the neckline. When the corners are rounded, they are called Peter Pan.
Which lapel is the most formal?
peak lapel
Dinner Jackets
A peak lapel dinner jacket tends to be considered the most formal, whereas the shawl lapel rends to be considered more social and less formal.
What kind of tuxedo does James Bond wear?
Craig wore a charcoal gray Brioni suit, at the London press conference announcing his role of Bond in Casino Royale, and in the movie he wears Brioni as well. (Craig wore a Dunhill dinner jacket to the premiere of Casino Royale). The famous tuxedo worn by Bond during the poker scenes in Casino Royale is Brioni.
Should a tuxedo have vents?
Generally, vents are discouraged on formal jackets: the original tuxedo was ventless, and the smooth, unbroken ventless design tends to be extremely slimming.
Originally, the buttonhole accommodated a button sewn to the underside of the opposite lapel, thus allowing a man to button all the way up in brisk weather. My elegantly funky (or funkily elegant) old pal Jean Paul Goude was known to wear his jacket buttoned up this way, over his bespoke cashmere sweatpants.
What is a notch collar?
noun. a collar forming a notch with the lapels of a garment at the seam where collar and lapels join. Also called: notched lapel.
What is the most formal tuxedo lapel?
Peak Lapel The peak lapel is one of the more popular lapel style on the red carpet. It is also considered more formal and stylized than the others.
Is a smoking the same as a tuxedo?
Though they fall under the same black tie dress code umbrella, smoking jackets are not tuxedos. A tuxedo consists of either a matching jacket and trousers faced with satin or grosgrain. White or off-white jackets may be substituted, but they are not necessarily smoking jackets.
What is the difference between a dinner jacket and a tuxedo?
“Tuxedo” is used in North America while “dinner jacket” is its equivalent in the United Kingdom. Both are terms for the black evening jacket. However, the term “dinner jacket” when used in the United States will pertain to the white jacket rather than the black one.
What do you wear under a shawl collar?
Since shawl collars are generally made from hearty wool, you don’t want to wear a shiny or synthetic shirt underneath. The best bet is to stick with something cotton.
What is a shawl collar tuxedo?
The shawl lapel frames your face perfectly with its elegant rounded edges. The shawl is most commonly found on tuxedos and dinner jackets—a classic choice with a modern edge.
What is a Johnny collar?
Definition of johnny collar
: a small round or pointed dress collar that has a front split and that fits close to the neck.
What is a butterfly collar?
noun. a stiff turned-up shirt collar worn with the points turned down over the tie.