The collared shirt is considered a classic and timeless fashion staple for men and women alike. It can be dressed up or down, for work or going out.
Though the Oxford collar shirt is rooted in simplicity, the trend this spring is a twist on the original – embellished collars. Some are made with different materials such as leather or lace. Others are given sparkle with jewels or crystals, or given a different print than the rest of the shirt.
"Shirts with a contrast collar haven't had a fashion moment until now," said Sharon Haver, a New York City stylist and founder of focusonstyle.com. "They've typically always been very classic and preppy."
From the runway to department stores, these embellished collars are spicing up a look that is typical for office professionals. Stars like Haliee Steinfeld, Chloe Moretz and Natalie Portman have also stepped out on the red carpet in embellished collared dresses, embracing the trend.
But the origins of the traditional Oxford shirt are deeply rooted in masculinity. The first button-down shirt complete with collar was created by John Brooks, grandson of the founder of Brooks Brothers department store in 1896. His inspiration? Watching English polo players, who buttoned their shirts to keep them from flapping in the wind.
Women started wearing collars on both shirts and dresses in the 1940s, and collars were popularized by film stars like Bette Davis and Catherine Deneuve.
Today's version of the classic Oxford shirt, embellished or not, is a wardrobe must-have – retailer J. Crew calls its women's button down "The Perfect Shirt." Other stores like Gap, Banana Republic and Express carry them year-round in a bevy of colors and patterns.
"The whole spring season is about femininity, and there is nothing more feminine than a collar," says Stephanie Solomon, Bloomingdale's vice president of fashion direction. "A collar really acts as the punctuation point on a feminine look, especially when it is in a soft fabrication."
Indeed, the collars designed by Jason Wu, Tibi and No. 21's Alessandro Dell'Acqua are undoubtedly girly, but still have the preppy undertones rooted in the classic Oxford shirt.
In an interview with Harper's Bazaar about his spring collection, Wu said, "I'm drawn to the idea of mixing something sporty with something elegant and quite grandiose."
Of course you can get the runway looks for a pretty penny, but stores from Bloomingdale's to Forever 21 to H&M to Nordstrom are stocking derivatives of the looks for the spring. Karl Lagerfeld's mass-market line KARL features a number of detachable collars in leather, sequins and classic cotton embellished with a black brooch.
"It's a very Old World look that's become more edgy over the last couple years," Haver said. "Now the collared shirt is the antithesis of the conservative masculine look it started out as."
Riffing on oxfords
Find an embellished Oxford collar shirt to fit your style:
Glittering gold
DESCRIPTION: Cream blouse with sequined gold collar.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Zara.
PRICE: $79.90.
ALSO CHECK: Zara at The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack or zara.com.
Fixed on floral
DESCRIPTION: Nanette Lepore Cap Sleeve Floral Top.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Bloomingdale’s.
PRICE: $228.
ALSO CHECK: Bloomingdale’s in Willowbrook Mall in Wayne and The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack or Bloomingdales.com.
Lovely in lace
DESCRIPTION: Tibi Katya Lace Blouse.
WHERE TO FIND IT: Tibi.com.
PRICE: $280.
ALSO CHECK: Shopbop.com.
