Shirt collars over lapels?

Micawber · Sep 4, 2010

Mr Vim said:
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.

I will need to check but I have a feeling that it is somewhere like Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (UK).

Micawber · Sep 4, 2010

CircuitRider said:
...To complete this look...all you need is a lime green polyester "Leisure Suit" and a large gold chain!:eusa_clap

The family photos I've posted quite a bit earlier than that

CircuitRider · Sep 5, 2010

Micawber said:
The family photos I've posted quite a bit earlier than that

I was being sarcastic, the look worked much better in times past with real suits.

Mr Vim · Sep 5, 2010

I think the look hinges on the jacket and the shirt. Someone mentioned Jude Law in the Aviator making that look look good.

I'm also reminded of Kevin Spacey doing well in that style in LA Confidential.

It can be done and heck, I think it looks swell.

CircuitRider · Sep 5, 2010

Love "The Aviator." DeCaprio even made the tennis shoes with suit and fedora look good!

Miss sofia · Sep 5, 2010

Actually sorry to jump in on this thread but i find all aspects of vintage clothing interesting so it's all a learning curve for me. I have a friend who is a farmer in his late seventies, who i housekeep for as he is getting quite infirm now and sadly has no family to care for him. Anyway, coming from generations of gentlemen farmers his wardrobe is excellent and i actually asked him about the shirt over lapels question and he actually dug out some specific shirts and sports jackets he had kept from back in the early fifties for me too look at, which were bought solely with the intention to be worn without a tie with the collar over the lapels. Although even as a boy he said shirts were quite often worn without a tie for leisure activities with a more casual jacket. For 'mucking about' as he put it! One of the shirts was even still unworn in the cellophane, and was a nice cotton/linen blend, although the rest were a mix of synthetic and cotton. I have to thank you for this thread as i know he enjoys having someone to reminisce with about his life and i am always grateful for threads like this so that i can pique his interest (and mine), and get some of his memories to surface again so they are not lost forever, i also enjoyed hearing about him wearing these outfits when he would ride to the village on his first motorbike, go on family or church picnics, or taking trips to the nearby beach and local beauty spots with various ladies he was courting (ahem). Thanks again.

Micawber · Sep 5, 2010

Miss sofia said:
Actually sorry to jump in on this thread but i find all aspects of vintage clothing interesting so it's all a learning curve for me. I have a friend who is a farmer in his late seventies, who i housekeep for as he is getting quite infirm now and sadly has no family to care for him. Anyway, coming from generations of gentlemen farmers his wardrobe is excellent and i actually asked him about the shirt over lapels question and he actually dug out some specific shirts and sports jackets he had kept from back in the early fifties for me too look at, which were bought solely with the intention to be worn without a tie with the collar over the lapels. Although even as a boy he said shirts were quite often worn without a tie for leisure activities with a more casual jacket. For 'mucking about' as he put it! One of the shirts was even still unworn in the cellophane, and was a nice cotton/linen blend, although the rest were a mix of synthetic and cotton. I have to thank you for this thread as i know he enjoys having someone to reminisce with about his life and i am always grateful for threads like this so that i can pique his interest (and mine), and get some of his memories to surface again so they are not lost forever, i also enjoyed hearing about him wearing these outfits when he would ride to the village on his first motorbike, go on family or church picnics, or taking trips to the nearby beach and local beauty spots with various ladies he was courting (ahem). Thanks again.

He sounds like my kind of chap. Take note and perhaps record his stories, his like are getting fewer every day.

Micawber · Sep 5, 2010

Some more..

A couple of further illustrations from the family album of shirts being worn over jacket collars in England in the '20's.

Aboard the Emperor of India 1927

Bournemouth on the south coast of England. I think this may possibly have been taken while they were queing for a ride on the steamer above:

thunderw21 · Sep 5, 2010

It can be a good look.

Torpedo · Sep 5, 2010

thunderw21 said:
It can be a good look.

Agreed. As demonstrated by Micawber's grandfather pics and yours, it can look great. All you need is a sense of style.

(...and the right kind of shirt's collar, too. Not all of them spread properly over the jacket's collar.)

Micawber · Sep 5, 2010

Last batch - all taken on holiday during the 20's, 30's and 40's

CircuitRider · Sep 5, 2010

thunderw21 said:
It can be a good look.

The drape of the suit makes the difference!

thunderw21 · Sep 6, 2010

CircuitRider said:
The drape of the suit makes the difference!

Wholeheartedly agree, along with fit.

matei · Sep 7, 2010

Tomasso said:
I like the look with the proviso that a one piece collar is used. Otherwise no.

Can said look be pulled off with generic OTR dress shirts?

Are there any shirts featuring one piece collars available today?

I've only tried it once or twice, with a bog-standard dress shirt w/collar stand, and it was OK - however the collar didn't want to lay flat.

Edward · Sep 7, 2010

matei said:
Can said look be pulled off with generic OTR dress shirts?

Are there any shirts featuring one piece collars available today?

I've only tried it once or twice, with a bog-standard dress shirt w/collar stand, and it was OK - however the collar didn't want to lay flat.

In my experience, it is a look that really requires a shirt that has been cut with the specific intention of being worn open necked. It seems to me that it is the softer collar on a more casual shirt that makes the difference.

BanjoMerlin said:
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.

I've always loathed the look of a collar buttoned down when the neck is worn open - don't know what it is about it, but it really bugs me. [huh]

Mario · Sep 7, 2010

I just got this shirt today with comparatively long, pointy collars. Just had to try wearing it with the collars over the lapels - and I have to admit that I like it. [huh]

Tomasso · Sep 7, 2010

matei said:
Are there any shirts featuring one piece collars available today?

They're out there. The 'Cooper' shirt by Paul Stuart and the 'Andre' shirt by Lora Piana spring to mind but the camp collar style is relatively common, though seen more often with short sleeves than long.

Flat Foot Floey · Sep 7, 2010

I think the german shirtbrand ETERNA has some of these collars too. I see them on Ebay often. But only with short sleeves (... would look silly under a jacket)

matei · Sep 8, 2010

Thanks gentlemen for the shirt maker recommendations.

Feraud · Sep 8, 2010

Flat Foot Floey said:
I think the german shirtbrand ETERNA has some of these collars too. I see them on Ebay often. But only with short sleeves (... would look silly under a jacket)

But no one would see it if the jacket is kept on.

Shirt collars over lapels?

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