The Detachable Collar: A Trendy New Accessory for 2012
On a recent trip to Japan, I saw one particular accessory everywhere: detachable collars. Apparently they have been popular amongst the more fashion forward of Tokyo since 2010 and they look absolutely fabulous!
Detachable collars last had a significant heyday in Victorian times, when stiff white collars were the norm. The detachable collars available today are not quite the same thing that was worn back in the 1800s; their modern incarnations are more varied in style and embellished, which makes them easier to incorporate into the modern wardrobe.
While detachable collars have become widely adopted throughout the streets of Tokyo, I have yet to see them take hold in the United States, United Kingdom, or any other country, which is why I see them as having great potential for becoming a trendy new accessory in these countries in 2012.
Styles
In Tokyo, I saw three primary types of detachable collars:
- Traditional detachable men's shirt collars: worn like chokers
- Peter Pan: these have more of a scoop neck and rounded edges
- Fur: these start to edge more ink scarf territory, but are still most definitely categorized as detachable collars
The collars ranged in price from 1900 yen (about $25 at the current yen to dollar exchange rate) to 7500 yen (about $98), so I didn't buy any while traveling, but have found quite a few on eBay that go for a much lower price!
Variations
While most of the detachable collars I saw in Japan were made of fabric, I did see quite a wide rage of variation when it came to decoration and embellishment.
Some detachable collars had been adorned by cool decorative pins. Others had been bedazzled by jewels, while still more were beaded. Quite a few of the detachable peter pan collars I saw were also adorned by lace.
I also noticed a couple of wide, beaded necklaces that were patterned like detachable collars. It was interesting to see how the collars had become so popular that they had expanded into the jewelry market.
Wear
Most of the detachable collars I saw that were being worn by women on the streets and on television were Peter Pan collars worn with sweaters- sort of draped over the tops of them like a shawl.
I was hoping to see more women wearing the men's dress shirt style like a choker- Playboy Bunny style- but did not. Perhaps that is a variation that has yet to come. Considering that shows such as NBC's Playboy Club are bringing the style back into the public consciousness, this may very well happen!
A Fun Alternative
Do you have a detachable collar or two, or have you seen anyone wearing one? Let me know in the comments! I'm quite curious to see where they're catching on.
Even if detachable collars do not catch on in America or Europe, I am going to have fun with them. To be honest, I like the idea of donning a unique accessory that nobody else has, so perhaps I should keep my fingers crossed that the trend doesn't spread!
