We’ve been curious about this for a while — ever since we advised that a collared shirt should always stay IN if you’re wearing a suit, and numerous readers wrote to say that they had always been advised (by various career counselors) to wear their collars out. So we thought we’d take a poll.
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For our $.02 — which purely comes from observation, as we have never heard a “rule” on it — a tucked-in collar looks better with a suit. More fashionable women tend to do it (Angelina, Madonna) when wearing a suit; and it gives them a neat, sharp look. It also puts the emphasis in the desired place, as our eyes are drawn to their face, not their clavicle or shoulders. We suppose it’s possible that there are greater rules here that we’re not aware of, for example dealing with fabric (cotton goes in, silk goes out) or the type of collar or lapel. Perhaps it’s a regional rule — e.g., in DC, collars go out with suits; in Hollywood, collars go in with suits. Either way, we thought we’d start a dialog…
Readers, what say you? Please comment, particularly if you choose #3…
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http://corporette.com/2008/08/12/poll-what-color-hose-is-correct-for-an-august-or-september-interview/
depends on the size of the collar, the style of the suit, etc. i generally like them in, but a really sharp big white collar over a black suit (esp if the shirt also has nice big cuffs) can look way bertter out than in…
The reason that the ‘out’ is such a fashion don’t is that it is generally also accompanied by shirts with awful, dated collars (resembling men’s disco shirts from the 1970’s).
Obsviously all rules have exceptions. But “out” is generally out — and I think it significant evidence that the regional preferences for “out” are all in the less-than fashion forward parts of the country.
I think there is a similar issue with men and collars when it comes to wearing a button down under a sweater — and the answer is definitely that the collar is up or tucked in, but never, ever “out”. To me, it’s just as silly looking in most circumstances to have your collar “out” with a suit.
L: Thanks for the input and the link – taking a look now!
what about a woman wearing a collared shirt under a sweater? collar in or out?
In the military, we follow these rules:
* Under a jacket, collar in.
* Under a sweater, collar out.
It depends. If it’s a man-style shirt collar with a neckband then generally I will wear it in. But shirts with a softer, blouse-type collar look nicer out, in my opinion. And cleavage isn’t an issue because I don’t wear my shirt unbuttoned so low that I have to worry about it.
It depends on the shape of the collar and the blazer’s lapel. If the collar can sit outside and not hang over the lapels, then the collar can go in or out. See how Pelosi’s blouse collar hangs over the edge of the lapel? I don’t like that look. Hers should be in.
I prefer collars IN for both suit jackets and sweaters. Much neater and more classy. I think out looks dated.
And yes, I too, cringe when I see a collar out, and yes, it tends to coexist with clunky shoes and too-short hems and matchy jewelry.
I’ve always liked both looks (on other people). And I think “it depends” is the right answer here. It not only depends on the jacket collar and the shirt collar you’re pairing, but it also depends on what your body type is – how long your neck is, how broad your shoulders are. Take all of that into account, and then you’ll find the right look for you.
For me, I usually wore my collar out but felt ridiculous because the shirt felt too open and pulled away from my neck. And as others have said, it’s hard to maintain the collar out look through the entire day. But when I wear the collar in, I feel as though the suit is strangling me. And often the collar doesn’t sit evenly under the jacket. I agree with the other women who have posted that the best solution is to avoid the problem altogether – a button down or collared shirt is an out with a jacket. Just wear any other neckline instead.
I’ve been thinking about this question for almost a week now (because it’s not like there’s anything else pressing in my life, I guess, like my husband’s unemployment or anything, ANYWAY…) and I realized this morning that lady judges and Supreme Court justices wear those white doily collars on top of their robes when they don’t have collars on their outfits to put out there, so I guess that might be clue about the correct answer. I would have guessed in, but if Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg say out, then “out” is is. I think it follows Angelina’s military rules — if collared jacket, then shirt collar in; if sweater, robe or otherwise non-collared outerwear, then collar out.
Look at pictures of the Forbes Woman list of most powerful women in the world. You won’t find collars tucked into suits.
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