Intrigued by this quirky approach to layering (and in desperate need of a new sartorial vibe), I decided to put the trend to the test. For my first attempt, I looked to the fall 2026 Celine show for inspiration, pairing my finest yellow dress shirt with a brown blazer.
Sliding one side of the collar beneath my lapel, I saw the difference immediately: my tailored look became just a little more irreverent and fun. It was still sleek, but in a less stuffy or serious way.
Photo: Christian Allaire
Next up, drawing on the looks at Bottega Veneta, I color-blocked with a blue dress shirt and pink cableknit sweater. Once again tucking one side of the collar in, I found that the outfit felt less preppy-chic, more fun and quirky.
There is definitely something smart about this collar thing. Similar to the “Olsen tuck,” which involves tucking one’s long hair inside of a turtleneck or shirt collar, the half-tuck conveys a cool nonchalance. Sure, your parents may think you just forgot to fix your shirt after putting on a pullover, but that cool girl seated near you at the café will think, Ooh, how very Jil Sander.
