Men’s shirt collar. This classic piece can be worn year-round and with practically any outfit: business casual, formalwear, or even something more daring, like grunge. Men’s shirt collar styles will vary depending on the time of year and current fashion trends. However, if you have a solid understanding of your personal style, body type, and personal preferences regarding fit and material, you should have no problem finding a shirt that perfectly meets your needs. If you’re reading this guide right now, chances are you already own at least one men’s shirt—perhaps even several. What you might not know about this once standard casual staple is that its collar style plays a major role in how it looks and how it fits your body type. There are numerous different collars from which to choose, each one providing its own unique combination of style and functionality.
Button-Down Collar
The button-down collar is a classic style found on everything from Oxford shirts to tropical shirts, and has been popular for over 100 years. It is characterized by two small buttons at the collar points, though not all styles have buttons. The button-down collar has been popular as a semi-formal or casual shirt collar for decades. It’s especially well-suited for wearing with a tie. Button-down collars are best for us.
Polo Collar
The Polo collar is a casual style meant to mimic the look of the traditional Polo shirt. It is characterized by a wide, flat, round collar that usually ends at the base of the neck. It can either be buttoned or unbuttoned, depending on the wearer’s preference. The Polo collar is most often seen on business casual or casual shirts, and is a great choice for golfers. It is a great choice for men who are trying to make a more tailored look more casual, or for a casual look more professional. Polo collars are best.
Butterfly Collar
The Butterfly collar is a formal shirt collar that is usually made with a stiff material. It usually sits higher up on the wearer’s neck; it is often made with stiff interfacing to hold its shape. This collar is usually paired with a tie and is meant to be more formal than other casual collars like the Polo collar. Butterfly collars are best.
Contemporary Collar
The Contemporary collar is a dressier version of the classic button-down collar. It is characterized by a wide, flat band with one or two points. This collar is meant to be worn open and exposes more of the wearer’s neck than the button-down collar. These collars are often made from softer materials than the stiffer, more formal butterfly and polo collars. A contemporary collar is a great choice for men who want a more relaxed look for their shirt without abandoning their business casual attire entirely.
Double Collar
The double collar is a hybrid collar that usually has one stiff point and one more relaxed and rounded point. The stiffer point is meant to be worn either open or closed, while the softer point is meant to be worn open. Double collars are meant to be worn with a tie. They’re often found on more formal shirts and can range in style from contemporary to tropical. Double collars are a great choice for men who need to slightly downplay the formality of their shirt while still wanting to wear a tie.
flared collars
Flared collars are a looser version of the traditional button-down collar. They are characterized by a wider, less structured band and are ideal for men with larger necks as they allow for more comfortable movement around the collar area.
Flat Collar
The flat collar is a relaxed style of shirt collar that is usually found on more casual shirts. It is characterized by a collar that sits lower down on the wearer’s neck and is usually made from a softer material.
Halftone Collar
The halftone collar is a casual collar style that is characterized by a looser band and a less structured look. It is meant to appear more relaxed than more formal collars. Halftone collars are best.
Rolled-and-Double Collar (RADC)
The rolled-and-double collar is an interesting and unique collar style that is usually found on more formal shirts. It is most often seen in business settings and with tropical shirts, and is characterized by a collar that is first folded and then doubled at the top.
Note
Shirt collars can vary greatly, and each one has its own distinct look and feel that makes it appealing to certain types of men. The collar you choose will depend on both your body type and personal style. While some collars are more formal than others, in the end, the type of shirt collar you choose is up to you. Whether you prefer a casual, looser shirt or something more traditional and business-like, there is a collar for you.
