Tailoring & Construction

Lapel

A lapel is the folded flap of fabric on each side of a jacket or coat's front, below the collar, where the cloth turns back on itself. Lapels frame the chest and, by their shape — notch, peak, or shawl — set how formal the jacket reads, from casual blazers to black-tie tuxedos.

The lapel meets the collar at the gorge line, and its width tends to follow trends — wider in some eras, slimmer in others. A balanced lapel width roughly matches the wearer's tie and shoulder proportions.

The three main styles are the everyday notch lapel, the more formal peak lapel, and the rounded shawl collar used on tuxedos and smoking jackets.