The lapel of the jacket is a lapel that reaches the border of the upper buttons. The specified element in various costumes differs in shape, width and length, features of decoration. Let's look at the main types of lapels of the jacket.
At the moment, there are the following varieties of lapels: V-shaped, pointed and solid. Most often, designers realize their own ideas when designing them, slightly changing the standard idea of the typical parameters characteristic of a certain type of lapels.
Width
First of all, individual lapels differ from each other according to the width parameter. In the past, jackets were decorated with wide lapels. Today, the lapel of a jacket is a rather narrow strip of fabric that does not stand out against the background of the overall composition.
Slender men face graceful lapels. A jacket with satin lapels of impressive width does not look very attractive on a thin man. This option is suitable, rather, to the representatives of the stronger sex, who are talked about "in the body." Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that the lapels are selected according to the features of the figure. They should look as natural as possible.
The choice of lapel widths is also influenced by some traditional views depending on the region. So, Neapolitans prefer to wear jackets with wide lapels. The inhabitants of the British Isles are trying to comply with the measure in everything. Here, the lapels of the jacket are narrowed lapels. As for the Italian and French trendsetters, the latter often go to extremes, offering men jackets with excessively narrow or wide lapels, depending on the current trend.
On the left, traditionally fasten a loop or badge on the lapel of the jacket. The specified element plays the role of a boutonniere to decorate the costume with a flower. Especially often, the implementation of the idea can be seen on clothes that are designed to attend celebrations. Ready-made jackets rarely contain such a convenient device. However, it can easily be sewn after buying a costume, contacting the nearest atelier for help.
Length
The lapel length parameter depends primarily on the number of buttons that are provided for in the design of the jacket. Accordingly, the shortest lapels are used when sewing suits with four buttons, long ones with two buttons.
The best option is to find harmony between the length and width of the lapels. Too short lapels look extremely messy if they emphasize the excessive completeness of the figure. The feeling of special disharmony brings to this decision the use of a wide collar.
V-shaped lapel
The V-shaped lapel of the jacket is the most common form that is used when sewing the bulk of classic costumes. This option looks quite simple. A pointed recess is contained between the collar and the main part of the lapel.
Men who buy a jacket for everyday use should pay attention to the model with a medium-sized neckline. Such a cut does not attract too much attention and is suitable for working everyday life, visiting public institutions, celebrations. The most organically this form of lapel looks when forming an unobtrusive image in the style of casual.
Pointed lapel
It is a lapel with an elongated upper part. Jackets with similar lapels were in special demand in the 16th century. The frock-coats of dignitaries at the court of Louis XIV had exactly this look.
According to historians, the pointed lapels of the jacket, photos of which can be seen in this material, played a purely practical role. If necessary, they could be easily fixed in a raised position, which allowed the owner of the suit to avoid getting rain outside the gate in inclement weather.
Today, pointed lapels often adorn tuxedos and double-breasted jackets. Although at the beginning of the last century, such lapels were often used when sewing ordinary single-breasted jackets. Perhaps for this reason, such decisions are now considered as an element characteristic of clothing designed in retro style.
Quite attractively pointed lapels look when sewing a jacket using mohair and woolen fabrics. Similar options fall to the face of slender short men, because they visually lengthen the silhouette.
Solid lapels
How to sew a collar, a solid lapel to a jacket? Such lapels are also called shawl and sewn as a single strip of fabric that runs around the neck in the
form of a collar and descends to the line of the upper buttons. Most modern gentlemen resort to tailoring such models to order. In the past, jackets of the specified cut were worn by members of men's clubs, where it was customary to come in formal suits.
The use of solid lapels brings a special chic to the design of the jacket. Currently, they are widely used for sewing the already mentioned tuxedos and evening suits. Only double-breasted jackets do not provide for such lapels.
In fact, solid lapels are the easiest option. As noted above, they are presented in the form of a simple whole piece of fabric. However, the talented tailors manage to bring extremely attractive solutions to their design, expanding, narrowing, shortening, lengthening the lapels, making them from fabric, which contrasts with the general outlines of the jacket.
Finally
In general, a lapel of a jacket is not such a practical design element as a means that allows emphasizing the dignity of a figure and distinguishing the silhouette of a man from the crowd. It’s hard to argue - without them, costumes look too ordinary and even boring, especially against the background of the total mass of similar models.
Having correctly selected lapels, based on the characteristics of the figure, you can give yourself to others not only as a stylish person, but also as a real gentleman.