Ask the Tailor: Should My Lapel Be Notched or Peaked?

by Amy Calpin
Photo by Michael

Each month we ask our expert tailors to address one of your most frequent questions. This month we’re addressing lapels: should you choose notched or peaked?

Lapels are an excellent example of how the small decisions you make during the tailoring process will vastly affect the final look of your suit. 

Whether you choose a notched or peaked lapel may seem fairly arbitrary, but each option will produce a very different final product.

Not sure which one is the right look for you? We’ve argued the case on both sides below. 

The case for notched

A notched lapel is the usual choice for most single-breasted jackets and blazers. It’s created when the lapel is attached to the collar of your jacket at an angle, making a triangle shape. The size of this triangle can vary a great deal, which opens up many different design opportunities.

This option may be right for you if you want a less formal look. Slimmer notched lapels offer a classic, streamlined look that’s ideal for the office, date nights or smart/casual social occasions. 

The case for peaked

Peaked lapels were traditionally used mainly on double-breasted and dinner jackets, as they are considered the most formal option. In this style, the tip of the lapel points upwards, creating a peak. 

This option is probably right for you if you are on the hunt for a formal jacket. Alternatively, peaked lapels can also look great on single breasted jackets and lapels. This is ideal for gentlemen who like to make a statement with their tailoring. 

Which one is right for you?

Still not sure which lapel type is right for you? We’d be happy to talk you through your options. Why not book a bespoke tailoring appointment with us?

Next month we’ll be asking our tailors to give us a briefing on another frequently asked tailing question. Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss it.

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Considering Bespoke?

Every commission begins with a conversation. Here are answers to some of the questions we're often asked.

Business suits start from £999 for single or double breasted, and from £1,299 for a three-piece with waistcoat. Wedding suits start from £999, averaging around £1,500 depending on cloth and detailing.

The standard turnaround is 10 weeks from first fitting to collection. An express service is available in 5 weeks for an additional fee.

Yes. Alongside the York and London showrooms, Mullen & Mullen serves Sheffield and Manchester by arrangement, with fittings available at a client's home or office.

An independent, family-run business with over 50 years of combined experience in the industry, we pride ourselves on exceptional value: quality that speaks for itself without the inflated price tag. Fittings are in person and unhurried, built around a conversation about how a garment should look, fit, and feel, from a standout velvet jacket to a quietly sharp business suit.

The York showroom is at Unit 3, Middlethorpe Business Park, Sim Balk Ln, YO23 2BD, open by appointment Monday to Saturday, 9:30–5:30.

The London showroom is at 35 Sackville Street, Mayfair, W1S 3EG, open by appointment only.

Yes. Fittings can take place at a client's home or office instead of a showroom, at no extra call-out fee.

Bespoke shirts start from £180, made from English and European mill cloths with a choice of over 60 collar and cuff styles.

A bespoke suit is cut to a client's own measurements rather than a standard size, through a multiple-fitting process designed to get the fit right before it's finished. Cloth, lining, buttons, and detailing are all chosen individually rather than fixed in advance.

This individual approach also means better quality and longevity. A bespoke suit is made to fit and move with you, making it a garment built to last for years, not seasons.

Yes, alongside our bespoke suits, we also make bespoke shirts, overcoats, velvet dinner jackets, and shooting attire. Whatever the garment, the same approach applies: an unhurried, in-person fitting process built around getting the look, fit, and feel exactly right.