notched collar
B2neutral to formal; common in tailoring, fashion, and business contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A type of shirt or jacket collar where the top edges of the collar points meet the garment at a distinct, downward-facing V-shaped indentation or 'notch'.
A classic and formal style of collar, most commonly associated with tailored garments like dress shirts, blazers, and suit jackets. It is defined by the triangular cut-out where the lapel and collar join.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a compound noun. It specifically describes the construction and style of the collar itself, not the act of creating it.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Both varieties use the same term. In UK tailoring, it might be more specifically referenced in formal menswear contexts.
Connotations
Similar connotations of formality and classic style in both regions.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in ready-to-wear fashion descriptions; equally common in tailoring jargon in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[garment] has a notched collara notched collar on [garment]dressed in a jacket with a notched collarVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dressed to the nines in a suit with a sharp notched collar.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common when discussing professional dress codes or corporate uniform specifications.
Academic
Rare, except in fields like fashion history, design, or textile studies.
Everyday
Used when describing clothing for formal events, job interviews, or when shopping for tailored clothing.
Technical
Standard term in fashion design, tailoring, and garment manufacturing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The tailor will notch the collar to create the classic style.
American English
- They notched the collar for a more traditional look.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My new jacket has a notched collar.
- For the interview, wear a shirt with a notched collar.
- The notched collar on his blazer gave his outfit a smart, professional appearance.
- In bespoke tailoring, the angle and depth of the notched collar are adjusted to complement the client's physique.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the collar has a small 'notch' or 'nick' taken out of the corner where the two parts meet, forming a V shape like a checkmark.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORMALITY IS PRECISION (The sharp, geometric cut of the notch implies neatness and formality).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'notched' literally as 'надрезанный' or 'зазубренный', which imply damage or serration. The correct concept is a specific cut/style: 'воротник с отрезными стойками' or 'воротник с вырезом' in tailoring terminology.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'notch collar' (omitting the -ed).
- Confusing it with a 'point collar' (which has straight, pointed ends without a notch).
- Referring to a jacket's lapels as the 'notched collar' instead of the collar-lapel construction.
Practice
Quiz
Which garment is MOST LIKELY to have a notched collar?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a unisex design feature common in both men's and women's tailored jackets, blazers, and formal shirts.
A notched collar has a V-shaped indentation where the collar and lapel meet. A peaked collar (or peak lapel) has upward-pointing lapel edges that form a sharp 'peak' pointing towards the shoulders; it is generally more formal.
While inherently formal, it can appear on casual garments like denim jackets or chore coats, borrowing from formal tailoring to create a 'smart casual' look.
Yes, 'revere collar' is essentially a synonym, though it can sometimes refer specifically to a flat, unfolded version often seen on women's blouses, while 'notched collar' strongly implies the folded construction of a jacket or suit.