Goodwill Fashion Expert—Bjorn Nasett

Bjorn Nasett - Goodwill Fashion ExpertBe sure to read Bjorn's weekly column for great advice. If you have specific questions send him an email at askbjorn@goodwillsew.com.

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Bling Around the Collar

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Oct 4, 2012 3:26:00 PM

bling around the collarThere’s a popular saying in the world of fashion …“everything that goes around comes around.”  So is it any surprise that we’re seeing stand-alone accessories, such as collars, rise to the top of the fashion heap?  In a word, no. In the past we had dickey’s, which was defined as a garment that is only the front or neck of a shirt, worn under a jacket, shirt or sweater, thus giving the illusion that you’re actually wearing a shirt. Now, we say the heck with the shirt - let’s just focus on the collar. Worn with everything from dresses to t-shirts, this is an easy trend to adopt into your style vocabulary. I’m going to show you some examples of how these items look, and then show you how to make one for yourself using items you can find at Goodwill!

First and foremost, you should think of this trend as another accessory piece.  Just like a necklace or scarf, it can bring to life items you may already have in your closet that need a little sprucing up. The obvious way bling around the collarto work this into your wardrobe would be to pair it with something quite simple, like a neutral colored sheath dress, or a thin crew neck sweater. For example, something that doesn’t have a lot of detail on it would be ideal so that the collar can really make a statement. Blinged up collars made of sequins and beads are now being worn daytime or evening, so don’t miss out on utilizing your collar with multiple clothing items. bling around the collarLike I stated before, this is not really a new idea, in fact I have in my personal collection of accessories some hand-crocheted collars that would look amazing with t-shirts or plain sweaters, so to all of you who knit or crochet, this may be your project. I also have a black velvet rounded collar that looks like it’s from the 1950’s or 1960’s; shown in the picture to the left, top. What a fun and unique way to update your wardrobe in a snap! Or button, as the case may be.

orange crochetMaking your own collar is super easy and will require no sewing. I found a black knit shirt that had a woven collar on it, and thought it would be great for my collar makeover. It also happened to be 1/2 price tag day so the cost of $4.99 became $2.50! I used my rotary cutter and a ruler to cut close to the seam where the collar was attached to the shirt, and then trimmed any loose threads. That was it!  Once your collar is done, it could be worn alone, with a brooch or pin, or even with a necktie for a menswear inspired look. You can really use any shirt that has a collar that buttons. Any color or print you like could be your very own fashion forward take on this trend. With all the possibilities waiting for you at your local Goodwill, you can’t afford NOT to try this idea for yourself!

Topics: DIY, Bjorn Nasett, Fashion Trends, Fashion Accessories, Fashion Expert