The Dagger Collar and the 70s

2021 saw a huge revival of the 70s style. In 2022 some of us are still rocking the flared high-waisted jeans and the fitted shirt with its dagger point collar.

From the mid-’60s into the ’70s, things got wide. The ’70s were all about self-expression. It took elements from the 60’s flares, pop-art psychedelia and re-invented them in a much flashier way. The 70’s era favoured the androgynous look, with high waisted flares, jumpsuits and platform shoes. Shirt collars became pointed. Shirts were made from polyester and rayon and some collars were floppy. These collars were made to be open, spread over the collar and revere of your jacket and this included the men.

With the loosening of the social and sexual scene, the rise of the trendy singles bar and discos, men needed to stand out from the pack. These regular working-class people were able to feel and look like stars for the night. The music was so loud it was impossible to converse with anyone so your outfit did all the talking. It was your best chance to make an impression. Men started to wear all sorts of outrageous fabrics, colours, patterns and even glitter. No one wanted to look business-like on a night out. Girls had lots of dresses and halter neck tops. The men had tight bright disco shirts with pointed dagger collars tucked into long high waisted trousers. If you were stylish you wore your collar out. For the last thirty-plus years, the collar over the lapel look has been extinct, except of course for fancy dress.