shawl collar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral. Common in fashion, tailoring, and clothing retail contexts.
Quick answer
What does “shawl collar” mean?
A collar on a garment that is a continuous, rounded piece of fabric extending down the front, without a notch, often found on cardigans, dressing gowns, and some jackets.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A collar on a garment that is a continuous, rounded piece of fabric extending down the front, without a notch, often found on cardigans, dressing gowns, and some jackets.
A style of collar that creates a V-neckline and is sewn or knitted as one piece with the garment's front, offering a softer, more continuous look than a notched lapel.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
In both regions, it connotes a classic, sometimes cosy or elegant style, associated with leisurewear, formal dressing gowns, or certain blazer styles.
Frequency
Equally common in fashion terminology in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “shawl collar” in a Sentence
[garment] + with + a shawl collara shawl-collar + [garment]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shawl collar” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She prefers shawl-collar knits for a more relaxed look.
- The shawl-collar design is a signature of that brand.
American English
- He bought a shawl-collar sweater for the cabin.
- The robe's shawl-collar style is very traditional.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in fashion retail, product descriptions, and tailoring.
Academic
Used in fashion history, design, and textile courses.
Everyday
Used when discussing clothing styles, especially knitwear or loungewear.
Technical
A precise term in pattern cutting and garment construction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shawl collar”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shawl collar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shawl collar”
- Using 'shawl collar' to refer to a detachable scarf or shawl worn with a coat.
- Confusing it with a 'notchless lapel', which is similar but may have a different construction.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It spans both. On a velvet dinner jacket (tuxedo), it's very formal. On a knitted cardigan, it's casual.
A shawl collar is a type of lapel. Specifically, it's a continuous, curved lapel without a notch where it meets the collar.
Yes, it is common on overcoats, dressing gowns, and some styles of jackets and coats.
It is typically two words, but can be hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., shawl-collar cardigan).
A collar on a garment that is a continuous, rounded piece of fabric extending down the front, without a notch, often found on cardigans, dressing gowns, and some jackets.
Shawl collar: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɔːl ˈkɒlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃɔːl ˈkɑːlər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'shawl' you wrap around your shoulders; a 'shawl collar' wraps smoothly around the neckline of a garment.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE GARMENT IS A WRAP. The collar is conceptualised as a continuous, wrapping piece of fabric.
Practice
Quiz
A 'shawl collar' is most commonly found on which type of garment?