To Pop or Not to Pop?

A major point of contention among fashion-savvy gents? The Popped Collar. As commonly seen on frat boys and preppies alike, this is oft done with a Polo shirt...usually a pink one. Some may argue this look is strictly for bro-dawgs who find it cool. Others contend it's a great look that only a certain kind of guy can wear. What do you think? Do you pop your collar? If so, when and why? If not, why wouldn't you/would you ever do it? Check out Esquire's amusing debate here between two bloggers with differing opinions.

Courtesy of preppytimes.com

Courtesy of ivygateblog.com

Courtesy of gloveslap.com

Honestly, we at 9tailors maintain you should never pop the collar of your dress shirt. And it still looks lame on a polo shirt, brah! What is this multiple-layered, up-turned collar thing? Is that serious? Joking or not, please stop it. Do yourself a favor---save your integrity from ridicule and nix the collar poppage. 

That said, a few clients have recently gotten sports coats with contrasting fabric on the underside of their lapel. It looks quite edgy when popped yet subtle and demure when left untouched. 

So, we're somewhat okay with you popping your jacket collars, within reason. James Dean sported a popped collar in his most iconic movie role. Are you a Rebel Without a Cause? An upturned collar can look pretty fresh with the right shirt. As we always recommend, if you're comfortable with a look and feel confident that you can pull it off, go for it. If it feels forced, it will look that way on you.

Rebel Without A Cause

9tailors offers an array of collar styles for your shirts and lapel choices for your jackets! Email us at info@9tailors.com to make an appointment and design yourself some custom pieces!

Collar Selection Guide

Here is our collar selection guide. It is divided into categories of face shapes. Good luck!

Round (full cheeks, round jawline)

Look for: collars with straight points with a traditional or narrow spread such as the Standard Point or Button Down

Avoid: wide spread collars that make your face appear fuller and wider

Square (square jawline, broad face)

same guidelines as round

Triangular / Diamond (high cheekbones, narrow / pointed chin)

Look for: medium to wide spread collars that soften your angles

Avoid: narrow spreads and button downs

Oblong / Rectangular (long face, u-shaped jawline)

Look for: medium (everyday) to wide (formal occasions) spread collars that give your face a fuller look

Avoid: narrow spreads and button downs

Oval

Oval face shapes can wear almost any type of collar. Remember, however, that you want to also keep your body size in proportion to your collar- i.e. if you are very tall and large, you will want to have a taller, more substantial collar. This applies for all face shapes.

And, as always, you can ask a stylist from 9tailors for personal collar advice.

Ready to explore a whole new world of collars? Off-the-rack shirts usually don't have a wide array of collar choices. Come to 9tailors to find that collar that perfectly suits you! E-mail us at info@9tailors.com for more information.

Face Frame

Ever wonder what "spread" or "tie space" meant? Ok, well here is a plain and simple diagram of a collar with explanations- so you'll never wonder again.

Check back tomorrow for a guide to picking the right collar for you. After all, it is a "frame for your face," as we like to say.

1. Collar Points - The tips of the collar.

2. Collar Point Length - The distance from the Collar Points to where they meet the Collar Band.

3. Collar Band - the piece of fabric that wraps around the neck.

4. Collar Height - The height of a folded collar as it fits on the neck.

5. Tie Space - The distance between the top of the folded collar parts when the shirt is buttoned.

6. Spread - The distance between Collar Points.

Image courtesy of Antonio Centeno on Knol.