A notch collar is a V-shaped cutout in the lapels of a jacket or shirt that gives a formal look. It requires a stiff fabric and is commonly used in suits and tuxedos. Notched lab coat collars add a professional look to the garment.
A notch collar is a type of jacket or shirt front that usually tops a row of buttons down the center of the garment. The notch detail is in the lapels that are attached to each side of the portion of the collar that fits around the neck. Instead of a single straight or curved lapel section added to the collar portion of a collar, a notch, or cutout section, accents each of the lapels. The V-shaped notch tends to give clothing a formal look that has become popular for suits and office wear.
Suit jackets for men and women may have a notch collar. Formal evening suits for men called tuxedos often have a notched V-shaped lapel collar. Suits, shirts, and coats with a rounded U-shaped notch cut from the lapels generally look much less formal than garments finished with a V-shaped notch lapel style. Right angles appear less relaxed than curves of softer fabric.
A fairly stiff and dense fabric is needed to make any type of notch collar, as otherwise the material will tend to fold underneath rather than lie flat on the upper chest area. Many notched collar garments are made with a fusible interface piece sandwiched between each side of a section of lapel fabric. Fusible interfacing is a synthetic material sold in sheet form that is fused or adhered to fabric when ironed onto it. A non-fusible interface for sewing is also available. Dressmakers use the interface to add rigidity and shape to waistbands, pockets, and other details on clothing, including collars.
Thicker suede and leather jackets may not require interface at their collars. A notched-collar style on leather or suede outerwear is mostly seen on dressy button-front coats rather than more casual cropped jackets with zippers. Business-appropriate versions of the classic mandarin-collar motorcycle, or biker, leather jacket almost always have a notch collar.
A notch collar coat or jacket can be a good outfit addition to many wardrobes. Many notch-style garments are versatile and can be worn with more casual clothing, such as jeans, as long as the color of the jean is dark and there are no rips or tears. Notch collar jackets can be more expensive than those with other types of collars, not because of the style of the collar, but because of a fancier type of material.
Lab coats often have a notched lapel collar. It is the classic style of the traditional white lab coat. The notched lab coat collar adds a professional look to the plain white jacket while providing stylish details. Some styles of women’s lab coats feature embroidered details on the notch neck.
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