Collar-poppers beware

The trend started slowly with a few here and there, but has now spread throughout our campus.

No matter where you go, you can't escape them.

In spring it first became noticeable at bars, and then it began to pop up during daylight hours on campus.

It has now even crossed the gender gap and become a staple of women's fashion as well.

The action consists of flipping your collar into an upright, and incorrect position. The plight is better known as popping your collar.

It first became noticeable during Spring Quarter. At the time, it seemed that as the weather turned warm that maybe these flippers were merely trying to allow more heat to escape from their shirts. You certainly can't criticize a person for trying to stay cool in the unrelenting Cincinnati humidity.

Now it is fall, and on necks everywhere collars still stand at attention.

With the current explosion of poppers, it seems that it has almost become the common thing to do.

No longer is flipping up your collar only for the bar and those special nights out on the town. As the trend moves into the masses, it has become acceptable to pop your collar during even the most mundane tasks.

Going to get your oil changed or even off to Blockbuster to rent a movie? Pop your collar.

This "style" originally appeared during the 19th century. It was a way for the upper - class males to show off the exquisite linings of their jackets. This tradition has been reduced to a bunch off preppy boys desperately searching out tight polo shirts with collars they can turn up.

Lately, I have been hypothesizing that just like the big spoilers on the backs of cars, turning your collar up may actually give you a larger down force at high speeds and lower your drag coefficient. Allowing you to move easily from class to class, while expending much less energy.

It turns out that the collars, just like the spoilers, are merely for show. They serve no real purpose, and are solely attempts to grab others attention.

Why is there such a need to stand out? Is it the quarter-life crisis?

There are too many possibilities to even consider. The only plausible reason to flip your collar up would be to conceal those neck area bruises also known as hickeys. Surely, there are not that many people covering up their necks on the way to campus every morning.

Despite serving no purpose and causing the wearer to look silly, the flipped collar still endures. It continues to stand up against both the forces of gravity and reason. They still rise defiantly above shoulders everywhere, as an example of a good idea gone wrong.