The Complete Guide to Suit Lapel Styles: Choosing the Right Collar for Every Occasion

Understanding Suit Lapel Styles: A Professional Guide

The lapel is one of the most defining features of a suit jacket, significantly impacting both its aesthetic appeal and formality level. When ordering a custom suit online, choosing the right lapel style is essential to ensure your tailored suit matches your personal style and the occasions you'll wear it for. This comprehensive guide explores the main types of suit lapels and helps you determine which style suits you best.

1. Notch Lapel: The Versatile Classic

The notch lapel is the most common and versatile lapel style found on business suits and blazers. It features a triangular indentation where the lapel meets the collar, creating a distinctive "notch" that gives this style its name.

Characteristics:

• Clean, understated design with a downward-pointing notch
• Most commonly seen on single-breasted suits
• Available in various widths to suit different body types and fashion trends
• Timeless and professional appearance

Best For:

• Body Types: Universally flattering for all body types; narrower lapels suit slim builds while wider lapels complement broader frames
• Occasions: Business meetings, office wear, job interviews, everyday professional settings, semi-formal events
• Ideal Candidates: Professionals seeking a reliable, versatile custom suit for daily business wear; first-time custom suit buyers; conservative dressers

Style Tips:

The notch lapel is your go-to choice for custom business suits. Its understated elegance makes it appropriate for virtually any professional setting. When ordering online, consider a medium-width notch lapel (3-3.5 inches) for a timeless look that won't date quickly.

2. Peak Lapel: The Power Statement

The peak lapel features pointed edges that angle upward toward the shoulders, creating a more dramatic and formal appearance. This sophisticated style is traditionally associated with double-breasted suits but is increasingly popular on single-breasted jackets for those seeking a bolder look.

Characteristics:

• Sharp, upward-pointing peaks that draw the eye upward
• Creates a broader shoulder line and V-shape silhouette
• More formal and assertive than notch lapels
• Often features wider lapel width

Best For:

• Body Types: Excellent for shorter individuals as the upward lines create height; flatters athletic and slim builds; adds structure to narrow shoulders
• Occasions: Formal business events, weddings, galas, evening functions, important presentations, executive meetings, black-tie optional events
• Ideal Candidates: Executives and senior professionals; fashion-forward dressers; those attending formal events; individuals wanting to make a strong impression

Style Tips:

Peak lapels exude confidence and authority, making them perfect for custom suits designed to command attention. When ordering a made-to-measure suit with peak lapels online, ensure the peaks align properly with your shoulder line for optimal proportions. This style pairs exceptionally well with formal accessories like pocket squares and cufflinks.

3. Shawl Collar: The Formal Elegance

The shawl collar features a smooth, rounded lapel without notches or peaks, creating an unbroken line from the collar around to the button closure. This distinctive style is most commonly seen on tuxedo jackets and dinner jackets, making it the epitome of formal evening wear.

Characteristics:

• Continuous rounded collar with no breaks or angles
• Often finished with satin or grosgrain facing for added luxury
• Exclusively associated with formal and black-tie attire
• Smooth, elegant lines that create a refined silhouette

Best For:

• Body Types: Particularly flattering on individuals with round or square face shapes as the curved lines provide balance; suits all body types for formal occasions
• Occasions: Black-tie events, formal weddings, galas, award ceremonies, opera and theater openings, upscale evening functions, cruise formal nights
• Ideal Candidates: Grooms and wedding parties; attendees of black-tie events; those building a formal wardrobe; individuals seeking a sophisticated alternative to traditional tuxedo lapels

Style Tips:

When ordering a custom tuxedo or dinner jacket online, the shawl collar offers a distinguished alternative to the traditional peak lapel tuxedo. This style should be reserved exclusively for evening wear and formal occasions. The smooth, flowing lines of the shawl collar create an elegant frame for formal bow ties and add a touch of old-world sophistication to your formal wardrobe.

Choosing the Right Lapel Width

Beyond lapel style, width is equally important in custom suit design:

• Narrow Lapels (2.5-3 inches): Modern, slim-fit aesthetic; best for slender builds and contemporary fashion
• Medium Lapels (3-3.75 inches): Classic, timeless proportion; universally flattering and appropriate for all occasions
• Wide Lapels (3.75-4.5 inches): Bold, vintage-inspired look; suits broader frames and makes a strong style statement

When ordering custom suits online, lapel width should harmonize with your body proportions, tie width, and overall suit style for a cohesive, well-balanced appearance.

Making Your Decision: Lapel Style Selection Guide

For Your First Custom Suit: Start with a notch lapel in medium width - it's versatile, professional, and appropriate for the widest range of occasions.

For Executive Presence: Choose peak lapels to project authority and confidence in high-stakes business environments.

For Formal Events: Select shawl collar for tuxedos and dinner jackets to achieve proper black-tie elegance.

For Fashion-Forward Style: Experiment with peak lapels on single-breasted suits or varying lapel widths to express personal style while maintaining professionalism.

Custom Tailoring Considerations

When ordering your made-to-measure suit online at wiaifit.com, our expert tailors ensure your chosen lapel style is perfectly proportioned to your body measurements. Proper lapel construction requires precise tailoring - the lapel should lie flat against your chest without gaping, the gorge (where collar meets lapel) should sit at the appropriate height, and the overall proportions should complement your physique.

Conclusion

Understanding suit lapel styles empowers you to make informed decisions when ordering custom suits online. Whether you choose the versatile notch lapel for everyday business wear, the commanding peak lapel for formal occasions, or the elegant shawl collar for black-tie events, the right lapel style enhances both your appearance and confidence.

At WIAI, our online custom suit platform guides you through every detail of your made-to-measure suit, ensuring your lapel choice perfectly matches your style, occasion, and body type. Ready to create your perfect custom suit with the ideal lapel style? Visit wiaifit.com and experience the art of bespoke tailoring.