Which collar fits me and my style best?

Choosing a collar style that befits you is an important aspect of your dress shirt selection. There are four basic types with multiple variations of each: straight, spread, tab and buttondown. While selecting your collar style is largely a matter of personal taste, there are a few things you should consider.

Straight collars are generally considered a conservative choice and at Paul Fredrick we offer a traditional (stitched at ¼" from edge of collar), European (edge-stitched) for a more European aesthetic, and the eyelet (available this fall). The eyelet collar is a classic style gaining in popularity today, facilitating the polished finish of a collar pin. Any of our straight collar styles tend to complement almost any facial structure, especially those with a rounder face, by elongating the jaw line providing a more balanced look.

Spread collars are cut at a sharper angle and with shorter collar points, leaving more fabric showing at the top of the shirt placket. Our Windsor spread collar has a straight edge, while the varsity spread is cut with a slight curve for a sportier appeal. If you face is thinner/longer, a spread collar serves to better balance out these physical features and not accentuate the length of your face.

Tab collars resemble straight collars in cut, but the sides of the collar are held together by two small pieces of fabric, each with one side of a snap tab or a button. When attached, the points of the collar lie flat on the body of the shirt affording a neat and precise presentation.

The buttondown collar, long an American icon, is hugely popular, likely for its almost limitless versatility. With or without a tie, it’s appropriate for a wide variety of business and casual settings.

Reading next--