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How to Pop Your Collar and Keep it Up

I’m a big fan of popping the back of my collar up. I love the sassy attitude it gives and the way an upturned collar frames the face. In fact, I have a hard time not popping my collar on any shirt designed with a structured collar.

A popped collar is just sassy and looks chic. Today I’m sharing exactly what I do to pop my collar and keep it up. I’m updating this post from 2018 with some fresh links to fabulous shirts.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life showing how to pop a collar

Long hair is a real challenge with a popped collar so you’ll have more success if you wear your hair up.

The softer the fabric, the tougher your challenge. As you see, I do fold the collar down but not where the manufacturerĀ intended it to be.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE NO-IRON WHITE SHIRTS ARE HERE

Here are a few things to try:

Spray Starch

Good old-fashioned spray starch like this works wonders at stiffening your collar, which it needs to be to stay up. Lay the collar flat on your ironing board. Spray the top of the yoke and collar with spray starch and press. Flip and repeat. Here’s the important part, leave it laying flat until it cools completely! If you’re planning to hang it up before wearing it, hang it with the collar popped up! Be careful you don’t crush it when hanging on the rod.

How to hang a popped collar on A Well Styled Life

Fold Collar and Finger press

Pop collar up and fold back down 1/2″ in the back. “Press” itĀ lightlyĀ with your fingers for a moment to help set that small fold. This alone can oftenĀ prevent the entire collar from coming down.

Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life showing how to pop a collar

Iron collar to the inside

Most shirt collars are meant to crease along the neckline. If you’re not a fan of spray starch or it’s still not working,Ā iron it the opposite way. Fold the collar to the inside and iron. Let it let cool completely before moving or wearing.

Ironing technique to keep your collar popped on A Well Styled Life

The trick is to pop just the back of your collar and have it angled down toward the front. Are popped collars still in style? Of course, it’s always fun to add a little attitude to your look and a popped collar does just that.

woman wearing white shirt

Any and all crisp or semi crisp button-down shirt is a candidate to pop. I love also adding a brooch at the throat which really keeps a woman’s collar up!

woman with denim shirt collar up

The underside of a popped collar is also the perfect place to showcase a beautiful scarf.

SOME SHIRTS WITH GREAT COLORS TO POP

 


Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.

 

55 Comments

  1. Do you normally just pop the collar in the back or do you on occasion pop it up all the way around?

    1. I sometimes pop the side too, button the top button and add a brooch at the neck.

  2. I love this. So many great tips for how to pop one’s collar – where’ve you been all my life! Lol. Thank you, so much šŸ’œ

    1. My pleasure. Welcome!

  3. Cristi Cameron says:

    My mom used to do this your styles and proportions are very similar. Always classic and classy.

  4. Marge Schembri says:

    i have always loved to have the back of my collar up in back since high school in 1950. It was stylish back then and still chic today. I still , as then, soak my shirts in starch water after washing them. I hang them up dripping , inside out ( no shoulder bump ) on a hanger. The collar is dried in this manner up strait . Mission accomplished . Thank you for your posts. At my age it is difficult to go shopping and you keep us posted of the newest styles and merchandise offered in the market places. Of course, Norstroms is my favorite. šŸ˜Š

    1. That’s a great idea!!

  5. You have the only post I can find about how to keep a collar popped! Thank you! I also love the look, a la Carolina Herrera, and I have a dress Iā€™m wearing to a wedding in December and Iā€™m trying to get the collar to stay up. Unfortunately, I think the material wonā€™t allow it even with your great suggestions. Can I use the collar stays I see on Amazon? Iā€™ve never used them before. Thank you again!

    1. You could have a seamstress insert them in the back of the collar. She’d have to sew a channel to slide it in but it would absolutely work.

  6. Penny Fischer says:

    great post and tips. really needed the suggestions. thanks

  7. Love the look, always have. Been wearing popped up collars for 35+ years! Also, love your sense of humor. You’re hilarious on fb. More please!

  8. Paul Geyer says:

    Though it has died down, how do you feel about the popped collar look on men?

    1. I love popped collars on everyone! They add a level of insouciance that always looks chic.

  9. unless you are wearing an egg, it is a yoke, not yolk.

  10. Great tips on popping the collar. Mine donā€™t stay up
    Love your white blouse. Do you have comments on good ones.?

    1. I think the no iron ones from Foxcroft and Chico’s are fabulous. Some others need touching up, those never do!

  11. Lesley Davis says:

    Thank you for this tip! Iā€™ve never thought of doing this before I canā€™t wait to try it!

  12. Hi Jennifer, I have always and still love to wear my collar up. Thanks for the tips. I love you page. Very inspiring!

  13. You must have read my mind! I was just trying to make this work with a blouse of mine. What do you do for the collar of a denim jacket? Your new hair style is really cute!

  14. Julie,Melbourne,Australia says:

    Yes,wear my hair up,so logical.Thanks for the tip and your hair is looking very pretty šŸ™‚

  15. Sandra Matthews says:

    I too like to wear my collars up. Thanks for the great tips, Jennifer.

  16. Thanks for the additional info! I’ve been using spray starch but results were not optimal and now I know why šŸ™‚

  17. Absolutely love this post. Trying to up my game as I approach 60 with great trepidation (50 was a breeze!). Always admired this look. Will try it soon as spring is upon us in the southeast. Thanks!

  18. Cheryl Ann says:

    Love to pop my collar and wear a beautiful earring…thanks for the tips!

  19. Pondsidehouse says:

    Sometimes a post comes in at exactly the right time. Thanks for this tip!

  20. Suzanne Michel says:

    Check out Collar Pop It. Great product!

  21. You are right…long hair is the enemy and that is why I rarely succeed. But I love the look and you wear it so well.

    1. Iā€™d rather have your nice thick hair than a popped collar;)

  22. This is really helpful. I like a popped collar but don’t like it all the way to front for the very reason you mentioned!

    Love your sassy hair style, too!

  23. Thanks for this post. Just what I needed.

  24. These are great tips! I love the crisp quality a popped collar gives.
    Can’t wait for your Facebook Live tomorrow! Can you address scarves please? Ways to style them so they’re not in your salad, what’s current, etc…
    Thank you!

    1. Iā€™ve giot a post and video in the works about scarves. Upcoming!

  25. I like my collar up but occasionally some one will fold it down thinking I didnā€™t do it on purpose! Do you read Brendaā€™s blog on 1010 Park Place? She had a post recently on thinning hair

    1. Wow, Gayle! Thatā€™s rather rude to adjust someone elseā€™s clothing without permission. I bet you werenā€™t thrilled. Iā€™d be annoyed if it happened to me!

    2. OMG! Iā€™m SO annoyed by someone adjusting my popped collar, assuming that it was to be folded down! ā€¦clearly not someone whoā€™s up on chic styling.

  26. We were talking about ways to put your hair up when itā€™s not real long,so itā€™s not fighting with the collar.

    1. Iā€™m still working on ways and will share what I learn.

    1. Iā€™ve got a lot to figure out about FB Live! Step 1…clean off the coffee table that shows in the video:)

  27. I enjoy reading your posts & love your dressing room diaries. I dress more casual now but still want to look nice Would love more ideas on how to dress up denim & when are accessories too much for a petite figure. Thanks

    1. Thanks for being here Susie! I dress denim up a lot so Iā€™ll be sharing more. Post coming up!

  28. These are great tips Jennifer. I love wearing a collar up, but you’re right, it’s much more difficult when I have my hair longer. I must try the ironing inside out. Tanks.

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