The Reverse Collar: A New Look in Designer Dress Shirts

Reverse collar shirt by Franck Michel Paris

The world of men’s dress shirts is generally less dynamic than that of the broader fashion industry.  However, there are some designers who are willing to take risks and striving to produce novel designs that will appeal to more fashion forward consumers.  These designers with an eye for bold designs are often European based and their products are generally described as fashion dress shirts, or just designer dress shirts. One of these designers, Franck Michel of Paris, has pioneered a bold new collar style that provides just the unique dynamic twist that many fashion conscious men are looking for these days.

The reverse collar starts as a longer normal collar but then in a unique twist, it is folded back upon itself and secured with a button. This technique allows the designer to incorporate multiple styles or colors of fabric, much like a double collar does.  The reverse collar has the advantage of being unique compared to the double collar, which has now been adopted by many men’s dress shirt manufacturers, with each one employing a slightly different version of the double collar technique and using it to highlight different fabrics and looks. The reverse collar, however, is still a rarity even inside the world of luxury men’s dress shirts.

In an industry where designers are constantly striving to be different than their competitors, the reverse collar, as designed by Franck Michel, provides a look that will be hard to find elsewhere. This ensures that those who are bold enough to choose to wear the reverse collar will not bump into someone else wearing the look. Additionally, it means that wearers of the reverse collar will constantly have other fashion conscious people questioning where they got such a unique design.

Franck Michel shirts are available through their North American distributor, fashion-shirts.com, and are starting to pop up elsewhere online and around the globe. They are a well known brand in Europe, as they have been producing designer men’s shirts since 1969, however, they are now expanding to markets around the world. A prime example of a reverse collar shirt from Franck Michel is the Miami, available in blue, white and red from fashion-shirts.com for $159.

Collar Styles: A Great Way to Stand Out With a Designer Shirt

Reverse collar by Franck Michel Paris

Double Collars: This type of collar has been in fashion in Europe for some time and is now starting to find its way across the ocean and into the wardrobes of fashionable American men.  There are many variations, but typically a double collar consists of a collar on top of another collar that allows the designer to showcase two types of fabric, usually of contrasting patterns and/or colors, in one shirt.  A prime example of this type comes from the Parisian designer Franck Michel.  Franck Michel provides many shirts of this type, and one of my favorites the Limited Edition Paris Blue Gingham is currently available for just under $150 from online retailer fashion-shirts.com.  This particular example pairs a solid navy blue collar under a light blue gingham collar, which really draws the eye, but does so in an elegant, fashionable way. 

Reverse Collars: This is a truly unique collar design that was invented by Franck Michel in Paris, France.  It is an elegant style that allows for flashy fabrics and interesting complimenting color combinations.  A prime example of the design innovations that typify Franck Michel this look has now been copied by other fashion designers the world over.  Franck Michel offers many styles with this type of collar, my personal favorite being the Miami range, specifically the Miami Red, which is available from fashion-shirts.com for $159, and is a shirt that truly typifies this type of luxury shirt look.  Reverse collars are not for the faint of heart, but rather those who are confident standing out.  One look at a Miami from Franck Michel and I’m sure you’ll agree with me.

Button Down or American Collars:
This is a prime example of the merging of American and European influences in the designs of Franck Michel.  The button down collar was pioneered on American sport shirts, and was popularized as a more formal design in the 1960’s by American style icons like John F. Kennedy.  Franck Michel has taken this traditional American look and added a distinctly European twist.  By making the collar taller and more crisp and defined, they have added an air of formal style that is unlike the original American look.  This transcontinental blending of styles is the essence of the modern look of Franck Michel.  By taking luxury details from different cultures and blending them into a new look, they achieve an international style that sets them apart from the competition.  A great example of this Franco-American blending from Franck Michel is the Eiffel range.  Available in black, blue and white, these designer dress shirts are $129 from fashion-shirts.com and are an exceptional addition to any modern men’s wardrobe.

Reverse Collar: What’s With the Newest Trend in Men’s Designer Shirts

Reverso shirt with leather band cufflinks

There’s a new trend in European dress shirts and it’s starting to make its way across the Atlantic and is now showing up online available here in the U.S.  It’s something that you might not notice the second you look at the shirt, but when you see it, you’ll be surprised and intrigued.  I’m referring, of course, to the reverse collar.  It’s a collar with an extra fold so it ends pointed up instead of down. If you’ve never seen one you’re probably thinking, “Wait, what? How is that possible?  What does that look like? How does it stay folded up?”  Well, no matter the designer or the style, there is always a very strategically placed button on the collar, not too high, not too low, but just in the right spot to keep the collar folded perfectly back up.  This allows designers like Franck Michel to show a classy contrasting color look on the collar, playing with a different color on the underside of the collar.

For an example of a designer playing with this contrast color collar look, check out Franck Michel’s Miami Blue, available in the States for $149 at fashion-shirts.com. It sure isn’t the only Franck Michel offering on fashion-shirts.com that features a reverse collar.  While that price point puts it solidly in the luxury tier of men’s designer shirts these shirts have all the other components of a luxury shirt that you would expect.  The material is the finest Italian cotton, and fit is extra slim.  I love the extra slim fit personally, but it isn’t for everyone and you have to be careful selecting your size.  Franck Michel is a design house in the heart of Paris that is famous around Europe for this trend and is just starting to bring this look to the U.S.

So what are these shirts good for?  Well they aren’t ideal for wearing with a tie, so they might not be perfect for wearing to work for some folks.  On the other hand, they are perfect for a night out.  The thing I love about these shirts, is the attention you get when you are wearing them.  Stylish people notice the details like the reverse collar and are certain to ask you about it.  I’ve never had so many people interested in my shirt as when I wear a reverse collar like this.  For me, that’s always a good thing.  When I go out I’m always aiming to meet new people and if we can start out on the right foot because of my unique and stylish designer shirt that’s great for me. Trust me you’ll meet the right people wearing a shirt like this, if you know what I’m saying.