Shirt dressing gets a twist: the asymmetrical collar is here
Forget everything you thought you knew about the button-down. This season, the classic dress shirt is undergoing a quiet revolution, one side of the collar at a time. Designers aren’t dismantling the shirt entirely – they're subtly subverting it, and the result is surprisingly chic.
The 'sprezzatura' effect: effortless cool redefined
The trend, spotted at Bottega Veneta, Jil Sander, Balenciaga, and others during the Fall 2026 shows, involves a deliberate asymmetry: one side of the collar neatly tucked, the other playfully peeking out from beneath a sweater or jacket. It's a move that instantly injects sprezzatura – that artfully careless Italian ease – into even the most formal of looks.
But what truly makes it work is the unexpectedness. This isn't about a perfectly coordinated outfit; it's about a hint of rebellion, a suggestion that you threw it all together with a shrug and a smile. And let’s be honest, who doesn't want a styling hack that delivers maximum impact with minimal effort?
From runway to real life: a personal test
Intrigued – and always on the hunt for a fresh perspective – I decided to put this collar quirk to the test. Taking cues from Celine’s Fall 2026 collection, I paired a vibrant yellow dress shirt with a classic brown blazer. The simple act of sliding one side of the collar beneath my lapel altered the entire feel of the ensemble. Suddenly, the tailored look felt less rigid, more playful, shedding its stuffiness without sacrificing its sophistication.
Then, channeling the Bottega Veneta aesthetic, I opted for a color-blocked combination of a blue shirt and a pink cableknit sweater. Again, the tucked-in collar on one side created a disarming contrast, transforming the look from preppy to playfully unconventional. There’s an undeniable cleverness to this seemingly minor adjustment.
Think of it as the evolved version of the “Olsen tuck,” that perennial off-duty style trick. Both techniques rely on a touch of studied nonchalance – a visual shorthand for “I woke up like this,” even if you spent an hour perfecting the look. Your parents might mistake it for a simple oversight, but the Fashion-savvy observer will recognize a knowing nod to Jil Sander’s minimalist ethos.
Beyond the trend: a free upgrade to your wardrobe
The beauty of this isn’t in a novel garment or a complicated construction; it’s in the unexpected way it recontextualizes an existing piece. Fashion frequently chases “It” items, but this is different. This is about embracing a sensibility, a feeling—and the best part? It’s entirely free. So, the next time you reach for a collared shirt, consider embracing a little asymmetry. It’s a small shift with a significant payoff.
The Fall 2026 runways have spoken. It’s time to ditch the rigid rules and embrace the wonderfully unexpected charm of the asymmetrical collar.