Flat, rounded or square collar with a broad front section fitting over the top of an apparel and around the neck like a child's bib (a cover worn hanging from neck to chest to protect the clothing from spilling's). Also called plastron, this style became popular in 1980's with embroidery, lace or frill or with pleating around the edge.
Carcaille Colar ia a high standing collar with fur edge extending upward towards the ears. It was mainly used on Houppelande (a long outer garment with flared sleeves worn by both men and women during Middle Ages in Europe) and Pour Point (knight wear with padded and quilted doublet worn under the armour).
Bishop Collar is a large, rounded collar extending almost to shoulder seam with squared front edges that extend downwards.
The Medici collar is a large, high standing, fan shaped collar generally composed of lace, net, embroidered satin or any light material which is wired to stand up in the back and sloping to join a decolletage (usually a low square neckline) in the front. The Medici collar provided a large frame at the back and around the sides of women's head. It was worn by Marie De Medici, second wife of Henry IV of France and was much popular among the wealthy in the 16th century. The collar was revived and given this name in the 19th century.
Mandarin collar is a small, stand-up collar that extends up on neck (about 3-4 cm) and not quite meeting at the center front. It is also called Chinese Collar or Nehru Collar. The collar can be done close-fitting or away from the neck. It can be blunted, curved, pointed or extended that can be turned down to form lapels.
A bow tie collar consists of flat, stand-up band with elongated ends that is sewn to the neckline. The ends tie in a bow (a knot, that usually consists of two loops and two ends) in front. This collar became popular in the 1920s and continued as fashion ever since.
The bertha collar resembles a cape or cloak falling over shoulders and bodice of the dress. This collar is usually round and flat encircling the décolleté. The bertha collar is made of thin fabrics (not appropriate for heavy fabrics as the collar is bulky). The collar became fashion in 1930's and became increasingly popular during 1980's.
The pierrot collar is a small round collar made of ruffs (cloth frills) or double ruffle. This collar is derived from the costume of the comedy character in French theaters called pierrot (little peter).
The sailor's collar is a flap collar which is recognized by its wide lapels forming a V shape in front and with square panel at the back. Traditionally it is used on sailor's uniform. A typical one has two bands of soutache braid sewn around the edges and having two stars at the back corners. It is also called Middy collar and became a popular style for middy dresses and children's dress
The Puritan collar consists of square-cut, wide and flat flaps in the front and back that extends to the shoulder seam. This collar is derived from English protestants of late sixteenth and seventeenth century. The early Englishmen carried the collar to America where it was identified with the Puritans and early Americans. This style is often seen in dresses and blouses.
A Shawl collar is a type of collar that follows the front opening of the clothing. It does not have separate lapels and is made in one piece forming shawl over the shoulder or with seam in center back. The length of the collar varies and sometimes can be extended to waistline with V-neck in front. It is the most popular and widely used collar found on coats, sweaters, dresses, tuxedos etc.
The Peter Pan collar is a flat collar with rounded ends in the front. It is composed of two separate collar units, one attached to the left-hand portion of the neck and the other to the right-hand portion of the neck. The collar is named Peter Pan after the costume of Maude Adam, who starred in the play Peter and Adam in the year 1905. This style is mainly associated with children's wear and was gradually adopted by women.
A band collar is a narrow band (about 1 inch) shaped collar that stands up encircling the neck and closes with buttons at front or back. It is also called stand up collar or kurta collar. This type of collar is frequently seen in front open garments. This collar is always interfaced to reinforce the shape of the collar and to maintain its original look after washing.
A collar is attached to the neckline of a garment and is important because it enhances the garments appearance and frames the face. Collars are made of two layers of fabric. The proportion of the collar is very essential (big or small, high or low).
All collars basically fall into one of the three types:
Flat Collar: The flat collar emerges from the seamline of the neck and lies flat against the garment (ex. Peter Pan).
Rolled Collar: The rolled collar first stands up from the edge of the neck and then falls down to rest on the garment. (ex. shirt).
Standing Collar: The standing collar extends above the neck seamline of the garment as a band and in some cases folds back down onto itself.
Factors influencing the collar design include: pattern, color and texture of the fabric, use and purpose of the garment, age and sex of the person wearing the garment and also the appearance of the person (shape of face neck size etc.).
