Get Hot Around the Collar

Good or bad, it doesn’t seem like this heat will be leaving us anytime soon. I know we are all anxious to start working the fall trends, so here is one hot trend for fall 2012 that you can start working right now: contrasting collars.

A contrasting collar is pretty self-explanatory; it’s a collar that is in a different color, fabrication, or textile than the rest of the garment. It can be used on just about any type of garment for men and women. An example would be a navy blue garment in cotton with a sheer white collar, or a plain white shirt with a leather collar. We saw a bit of this trend over the summer with embellishments like sequins, and it’s back with a bigger presence for fall.

I am a little bit on the fence on how I feel about this trend. I like the contrasting collar detail for the fact it is versatile as far as fitting in with different seasons, making it warm weather or cool weather-friendly simply depends on the fabrics for the collar and the garment. But if you’re not a fan of a particular style or look, it can leave you with a garment that is dated or difficult to work into every wardrobe. On the flip side, it gives the look of layering without the bulk of another garment underneath. This is perfect for right now while the temperature is still high.

This trend can be tricky, but a perfect solution is to look for garments that have detachable collars or purchase a collar by itself. In addition to the garment being easy to clean, detachable collars will allow you to create new garments and looks without spending a lot of money. White is always a good choice, but look for black and interesting fabrics like lace, leather, and even faux fur for a bit of fun. When the temperature goes down, you can use the same collars on sweaters, blazers, and coats

Fashionistas who are fans of the ladylike look and other retro eras will probably get the most wear out of this trend. A contrasting collar definitely gives a retro flavor to a garment; celebrity designer Victoria Beckham uses this detailing on several pieces in her line, and it’s almost become a signature retro ladylike look that several other designers have used. If you’re a fan of high-end designers and can afford the price tags, a contrasting collar is an easy way to mimic some of their looks from the runways. This trend definitely can be worked right now, but keep an eye on it as the season progresses.