The flap surrounds the neck.
The lapel is the sector of clothing that is located in the chest area and is generally folded . In this way, the flap - which is above the buttons - usually surrounds the neck and has buttonholes that can be used to show off flowers .
For example: “I don't like the lapel of that jacket” , “Last night I stained the lapel of my suit with tomato sauce” , “Protect yourself from the wind with the lapel” .
There are different types of lapels: rounded, V-cut, notched, etc. Its design depends on the type of coat and the label . The usual thing is that the flaps are used folded, although it is possible to extend them to protect the neck area in a similar way to a scarf.
Interesting facts about the flaps
It is worth knowing a series of interesting curiosities about the flaps:
- Its origin is found in military clothing, since soldiers tended to unbutton the jacket or shirt they were wearing in order to enjoy greater comfort and have more freedom of movement.
- Currently they can be found in both men's suits and women's blazers and even in coats, both men's and women's.
- For decades, it was customary for men to place a flower on the lapel of their jacket , which gave them a certain air of elegance. A custom that is still used today by men who are getting married and even by godfathers.
- Round lapels are those recommended for tuxedos, peak lapels are those that should be used on coats that cross over in the front area, and notched lapels are those that are placed on coats that do not cross over or directly on jackets.
The flap contributes to the closure of the envelope.
The term in other areas
We cannot ignore that the term lapel is used in the field of accessories and complements . Thus, for example, envelope-type bags, which resemble this stationery material, have a flap in the front area. This is usually responsible for housing the closing system, usually a magnet.
In books , a flap is an extension of the cover that, folded inward, allows various texts to be included. It is common for the author to be introduced on the flap through a short biography or to review his best-known titles. Information about the publisher that published the work can also be included. Thanks to its characteristics, the flap can be used as a bookmark or separator : “I bought this novel because the comments I read on the flap caught me,” “On the flap of the book you can find the titles of other works by the author.”
Packages , containers and packaging may also have flaps. These are extensions of the cardboard or material in question, which help complete the packaging: “To open the box, you must pull the side flaps.”
In the field of computing , finally, a flap or tab is an element that is part of the software interface, allowing you to modify the view of a tool without leaving a window .