Bring Back the Dickie Collar
As the break-neck speed of fashion continues to accelerate, I advocate a revival of the dickie collar.
A Victorian solution to give an otherwise plain outfit an elegant touch, this lace collar was worn by women around their neck, with the loose end tucked in the shirt.
Photographed in Ireland, this collar was essentially an economical way to “dress up”. Later versions of the dickie came in celluloid fabric, cloth or even cardboard.
An additional benefit of later dickies was that they were easily washable and, when ironed, looked like a starched shirt.
For this reason, dickies became particularly popular among those who sweat, including entertainers, musicians and bellboys.
Today, those same characteristics could bring an additional environmental appeal to the dickie: Change your look, but not your shirt.
Note: The word “dickie” is a more recent term. Does anyone know the older word?
Filed under: Fashion, Vintage | 3 Comments
Tags: Dickey, Dickie collar, Lace, Victorian, Vintage
There were a range of collars for ladies around the Victorian era… fichus and chemisettes were often very original handmade heirlooms which took painstaking time and effort to create.
These are still available at some places, such as Lacis in Berkeley; but are generally manufactured and considerably less unique and delicate.
Thank you Holly for your comment! I would love to explore the different Victorian collar designs. The one I photographed above is, as you mention, an original handmade heirloom having passed a few generations.
do you mean “dicky” or “chemise” like we put under a V neck Tshirt in the 1980′s? //originally known as a detachable bosom or chemise
also made in the man’s version to use under a tuxedo jacket.
http://www.vintagevictorian.com/costume_1900u.html
I had come ‘here’ looking for the lace for the front of a dress – that lets you be daring without being exposed. thank you