Contrasting collars: Yes or No?

[Master Shake]

Longtime lurker coming out to defend contrasting collars. For whatever reason, I am not a fan of collars with stripes or most other patterns, so I have white collars and cuffs put on my otherwise patterned shirts for business. Also, I think white is a very good color for my skin tone, and so having a contrasting collar (and of course cuffs) allows for better framing of the face and the infusion of color and patterns.

Since most of my shirts are solids, contrasting collar shirts are by no means a linchpin of my wardrobe, and I probably would never try to make this a common look.

I agree that this look is out of place in casual wear.

 

[hopkins_student]

I have a green/blue/white striped T&A shirt with a white collar and cuffs as well as a royal blue solid RLPL shirt with white (Keaton) collar and royal blue cuffs. I'm OK with the T&A and I love the RLPL, although I originally thought the color was much too dark for me.

 

[gdl203]

contrasting collars?

no offense...

 

[designprofessor]

I was under the impression this was somehow an English
idea, and with that some sartorial tradition. For as much as English influence is paid homage, i'd think they would be more readily accepted. I know the connection with the detachable collar historicaly, but does someone know if there is an actual English provenance to this?

 

[Sator]

Originally Posted by MilanoStyle

Contrasting collar shirt always remind of a shirt that had an original collar replaced.


Well that's exactly how they started. When you wore out the detachable collar and cuffs you got new white ones to replace them.

That said, I do like them.

 

[Jovan]

I think I would try it with light blue first, just so if it's a mistake for my complexion it won't be THAT bad.

 

[luk-cha]

i like them and i plan to pick some for next summer but only with contrasting collars not cuffs!

 

[whoopee]

Only if they are high and wide spread. If one doesn't have the face/neck to look good in it, then no. It serves that kind of head up like a platter.

 

[Gradstudent78]

no, I think the movie office space really ruined the idea of this look for me.

 

[Film Noir Buff]

I only get them when I replace collar and cuffs too, but I like the look. It can make a material, that would normally look casual, look terrific with a dark suit.

 

[whoopee]

Originally Posted by Gradstudent78

no, I think the movie office space really ruined the idea of this look for me.

Lumberg wore it the worst possible way: low point collar, baggy shirt, clip on braces plus belt, terrible ties.

 

[topbroker]

Originally Posted by Gradstudent78

no, I think the movie office space really ruined the idea of this look for me.

It is a great movie, I agree, but Gary Cole's smarminess is insufficient to put me off a style that I really like. If I rejected things because I reject some of the other people that like them, I'd be living naked in a cave.

Ron Livingston looked absolutely smashing wearing suits in this film, IMHO, even though his character hated the corporate slavery that the suits represented.

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by topbroker

but Gary Cole's smarminess is insufficient to put me off a style that I really like.


Whatchyou talkin' 'bout Willis?

 

[pkincy]

I have just bought 2, a Brioni and a RLPL. I will wear the Brioni, not because of who made it but because it is a white collar on a predominately white background with dark grey and green pinstriping relatively widely spaced. So the shirt/collar does not contrast much.

That is how I will ease into the wearing for business purposes.

The RLPL I love. It is orange and blue stripes with a white Keaton collar. It was only carried in a few stores this year and is way too forward for business, but I can hardly wait to wear it to dinner with a new RLPL pinstriped Veddy English suit I bought.

Perry

 

[royal618]

I was out shopping at lunch and was in a pen shop - the proprietor had a pale blue shirt with a gingham check. The collar and cuffs had a smaller, mini-gingham check in the same colours.

Interesting look - quirky, and with bow tie, even more so.