Lapel

A garment part as the folded front panel on jacket extending from the collar—the lapel zone on dress assembly, distinct from [[collar|Collar]] as related cousin and from [[rever|Rever]] without lapel naming.

How to recognize it

Lapel shows notched peaked or shawl fold on jacket front below collar roll line at button stance.

Collar is the related cousin part. Rever names a different garment zone.

Origin and history

Dress articles name lapel on garment assembly.[1] Lapel documents lapel on cotton.[2] Garment-parts references contrast lapel and related zones.[3] Construction photography documents lapel reference.[4]

Lapel reads on tailored and ready-to-wear dress.[2] Lapel differs from related part cousins.[1] Contrast with batch-33 construction faced hem and bias-bound hem on lower edge finish.[3]

Today lapel appears on lapel tailored blazer, suit jacket front, tuxedo shawl lapel, and jacket-front assembly in silk and wool.[1][2] Clean joinery needs even seam line.[4] When folded front panel on jacket coat extending from collar to button stance—lapel applies.[2]

Where it is used

Lapel tailored blazer, suit jacket front, tuxedo shawl lapel, and jacket-front assembly.[2]

What is worn now

Editorial styling suggestions from MsDressly—not strict rules.

Lapel pairs with matched seam allowance on structured bodice.[2]

How it differs

Collar is related cousin. Rever names different zone. Compare gold anchors bodice and skirt.[1]

Expression and impression

Lapel reads structural, zone-specific, and assembly-defining.

Common questions

Lapel vs collar? Collar is related cousin; lapel names specific part.[1]

Lapel vs rever? Rever lacks lapel naming.[2]

Lapel modern? Yes on lapel tailored blazer.[2]

Often confused with

Sources

  1. Lapel . Wikipedia Notched, peaked, and shawl lapels on tailored jackets.
  2. Collar (clothing) . Wikipedia Shirt-collar taxonomy, stands, points, and collar families.
  3. Dress . Wikipedia One-piece garment silhouettes from shift to ballgown and maxi forms.
  4. File:Lapel (PSF).png . Wikimedia Commons Diagram of notched, peaked, and shawl lapel types; public domain.

Written by MsDressly Editorial

September 28, 2026