How to keep my shirt collars straight and stiff?

leftover_salmon · Nov 8, 2007

Title says it all. I have some nice dress shirts that I've recently acquired. I wash them in a cold-to-warm gentle cycle in the machine and tumble dry low. I'm worried that the collars will lose their shape and stiffness after a few cycles. Should I be washing my shirts like this? How do I iron the collar? Does ironing the collar alone keep it stiff, or do I need to get it starched and get collar stays? I'm completely clueless.

x26 · Nov 8, 2007

Bump for "Inquiring Minds"...

arrrrffff · Nov 8, 2007

No matter how great the quality of that collar, it will start to curl after subsequent washes. As to when... well I've had shirts that fell apart after a few washings and many that have withstood aa year of wearing and washing.

Hang them on a good hanger that will not distort the shape (ie. too much tension) and use collar stays. If you feel the collor points you should feel stays in place, either sewn in or tabbed in, which you can remove or place new ones in. I don't reccomend starching as that will make your shirt age.

j · Nov 8, 2007

You should not be drying your shirts (at least not all the way) in the dryer. Take them out of the washer or dryer while they are still damp, smoothe them out and put them on plastic or sealed wood hangers (that will not bleed stain into them etc.) You can let them dry completely this way, or let them dry part way then iron them from damp. Do a search about ironing shirts, that will explain the laundry workflow a bit better.

benjamin831 · Nov 8, 2007

What is the reason behind not drying shirts in the dryer?

Thanks.

mack11211 · Nov 8, 2007

The heat is harsh on their fabric.

Also, you may shrink them.

Also: Always remember to remove the collar stays before washing, drying, and ironing. It's amazing how many guys you see wearing shirts that have been ruined by forgetting to do this.

JayJay · Nov 8, 2007

Originally Posted by j

You should not be drying your shirts (at least not all the way) in the dryer. Take them out of the washer or dryer while they are still damp, smoothe them out and put them on plastic or sealed wood hangers (that will not bleed stain into them etc.) You can let them dry completely this way, or let them dry part way then iron them from damp. Do a search about ironing shirts, that will explain the laundry workflow a bit better.
I do not put my dress shirts in the dryer, either. They hang dry.

leftover_salmon · Nov 8, 2007

Did the search...can't quite understand how to iron the collar, though (flip it up? Iron from the inside of the shirt or the outside?). I have a RL Made-in-Italy shirt with a soft collar that is now wrinkled, so it wasn't exactly a cheap shirt. Ditto an Etro shirt that I washed for the first time. Thankfully my two more formal shirts (Brioni) have retained most of their collar shape/stiffness.

Dmax · Nov 8, 2007

A certain Mr. Kabbaz

had put together a guide on laundering and ironing shirts here.

thinman · Nov 8, 2007

Viagra....

chai · Nov 8, 2007

get it in starched with iron it is effective...

Ark18 · Oct 27, 2018

As it's been pointed out, definitely use collar stays (high quality plastic or metal), and for the love of God, don't iron with collar stays still in your collar! Lol

I've used unscented hairspray for my blue navy uniform before... would work the same as starch (though not sure about using it on white shirts)

There are also neat products I've come across that help a lot:
- Slick Collar (https://luxeavant.com). They are basically adjustable shirt collar supports that you can wear with both dress shirts and polos. I've actually tried them and they work really well, especially when combined with collar stays.
- Million Dollar Collar (https://milliondollarcollar.com/). Cool invention to keep your plackets straight which also helps with keeping the shirt collar stand up straight as well. You gotta have your tailor sew them in for you which they can easily do for you.

notdos · Oct 27, 2018

Seems like a rash of necroposting lately...thread from 2007.

Ark18 · Oct 27, 2018

notdos said:
Seems like a rash of necroposting lately...thread from 2007.

I know. I was Googling for the same question and came across this post from back in 2007.

How to keep my shirt collars straight and stiff?

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