Wardrobe 101 - What is a LAPEL?

Jun 20, 2010 - All the Lapels You Should Know on Jackets & Coats

What is a LAPEL?

- lapels on jackets are folded flaps of cloth found on the front of a jacket or a coat. There are three basic types of lapels, these are - notched, peaked and shawl. Notched being the most common are usually found on business suits. Peaked lapels are more formal and almost always used on double-breasted jackets or coats. Shawl lapels started off as informal evening wear, and have overtime become seen on formal wear.

NOTCHED LAPEL - (aka Step Lapel or Step Collar) - this lapel is sewn to the collar at an angle, which creates a step effect. This is a standard style lapel on single breasted suits, and is used on almost all suit jackets, blazkers and sports jacket. The sizes of the notches vary. A smaller notch is called a fishmouth.

PEAKED LAPEL - (aka Double-Breasted Style Lapel or Pointed Lapel) - broad V-Shaped lapel that point up and out just below the collar line, a formal type of lapel, featuring mostly on double breasted jackets, and later single-breasted jackets with peaked lapel were made popular by designers such as Armani in the 1970s. These lapels are also found on tailcoats or morning coats. It is a very difficult task to cut peak lapels on a single-breasted suit even for the most experienced tailors.

SHAWL LAPEL - (aka Roll Collar or Shawl Collar) - is a continuous curved lapel. This was first seen on the Victorian Smoking Jacket and is now common on dinner jackets (tuxedo jackets). It started off as informal evening wear, and can now be found in both formal and less formal types of jackets, depending on the way the jacket is designed (e.g. fabrics, etc.)

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