It’s just a collar, right?
To many people I’m afraid it’s much more then just a strip of fabric. Astonishingly, whether you pop your collar or wear it more “traditionally” categorizes you as a myriad of different things. A narcissistic asshole, a stylish stud, a high-maintenance princess or just another polo shirt wearing person are all labels that may befall your poor collar-popping reputation. Although it is not surprising to me that people make judgments over other people’s appearances, as mistaken as it is in its logic, I cannot honestly say that I have never been guilty of the practice. I can, however, tell you in all sincerity, never have I acted differently toward someone due to the fact that their collar was up or down.
I should not be so bold to say that everyone who pops his or her collar is universally discriminated against. There are those “non-poppers” out there who actually appreciate the collar being up, while they themselves do not sport the collar-up look. And even within the anti-collar popping community, there are many different shades of anger for each style.
There are the simple single polo poppers, there is the double polo pop, as well as the button-down pop, but the boldest of all is the polo pop under a popped button down. I know what you’re thinking, hard to pull off. In fact, the only thing harder than pulling off the polo pop under a popped button down is saying, “simple single polo poppers” three times fast.
So, where does this deep-rooted anger surrounding such a mundane thing come from?
Well, some questions in life are just too deep for me to answer, but I can, however, offer my reflections on the root of the problem, as I am by nature a collar-up kinda guy.
Most point to past experience with collar-up kind of people as being assholes to explain their dislike of the practice, while others simply despise the look. I have even heard that it is only acceptable to pop at certain times, for instance, when you are extremely inebriated. But regardless of these views, I ask you as a concerned collar-up kinda guy that you give us a shot. There are so many other issues at hand in our society that I think collar popping, as important as I know it is to some of you, should take a back seat.
In all likelihood, to pop or not to pop will most likely be argued amongst people for years to come. But this is the tough reality that we must deal with everyday. Do real men really wear pink? And just how acceptable is male tanning? These conundrums, along with the collar up or down issue, could potentially perplex us forever. But if just one more collar popper and anti-collar popper can get along after reading this article, my work is done.
Edwards can be reached at cedwards@campustimes.org.
