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thefuryuk

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i can imagine the answer to this is quite simply "nothing" but....


Bought some new shirts recently (Harvie Hudson) and they fitted at first.

Since then, the collar button seems to have tightened somewhat so it makes it possible but almost painful to do the top button.

I know most collars shrink but these seem to have more than other brands.

I like the shirts (and spent money on them) so was wondering what others would do in my situation?
(I will lose weight and so eventually they will fit - but in meantime, is there anything i can do to "stretch" the collar a little??)

Would anyone just do a big knot tie and try disguise an undone top button (i know its a fashion crime in these forums but what choice do i have??!)
 

YRR92

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I don't use a big knot to hide an unbuttoned top button. I've got a couple shirts that I can't comfortably wear with the top button closed. I just tie my tie properly and don't sweat it. They're buttondown collar shirts, though, so a little mussiness is no problem.
 

Bounder

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First, I always wash dress shirts in cold water to help avoid this problem. Not that this helps you very much now.

I have had this problem myself so I bought a collar stretcher. This works but the way it grips the collar to stretch it can leave some pretty serious marks so you have to be careful. You also have to do it after every wash.

One trick I learned here is holding the collar with both hands and running it over a 90 degree table edge several times. This does work but it must put a huge amount of wear on the collar so I can't recommend it as a regular fix.
 

Wayward

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Look into collar extenders. Basically, it's a button attached to an elastic loop that you hook onto the shirt's collar button. The collar extender provides a second buttoning point and creates some room.

Of course this only goes so far, so if the shirt's really shrunken a lot, then it may not be enough.
 

johnvw

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Look into collar extenders. Basically, it's a button attached to an elastic loop that you hook onto the shirt's collar button. The collar extender provides a second buttoning point and creates some room.

Of course this only goes so far, so if the shirt's really shrunken a lot, then it may not be enough.


+1. Assuming the shirts still fit through the body, one other possibility would be for you (or a tailor/alterations person) to move the collar button toward the outside edge of the collar to maximize size.
 

Mr Cucumber

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Yeah, the easiest way is to just move the button. You don't need much extra space so it won't screw the proprtions or the look of the collar.
 

thefuryuk

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Thanks for advice. the rest of shirt hasnt shrunk, just the collar.
I always wash shirts at 30 and hang dry so its not my washing technique (also have numerous other TmLewins that havent shrunk that much in the few years ive had them)
(also believe that its normally the dryer that shrinks clothes more than the washer)

Maybe i should order 0.5" larger next time and slightly more fitted so it doesnt drown me!

Collar extenders seem a bit drastic to me. I think ill move the button or go for "no button and big knot."
 
Last edited:

josiahj

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Second vote for moving the collar button if all you need is an 8th of an inch or so, it might screw up the angle of your collar and placket though if you move it too much, so be careful.
 

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