Collar me

[Threadbearer]

I've been told on more than one occasion that my shirt collars are lacking in one way or another. Usually those comments are directed at my RTW shirts -- of which I still have a few -- but once in a while I get flak about some of my MTMs, too. The most common complaint is that my collar points don't extend below my jacket lapels.

The following examples are both MTM. Both have what MyTailor.com calls the Traditional Spread collar, which I think is well suited to my oval face and long neck. These shirts also have collar bands 1/4" higher than the default size to help camouflage my neck length. (I included long shots to demonstrate why I think I need the extra collar band height.)

What changes should I make on my next MTM shirt order to get a better collar?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I personally think the height looks very nice. I would get a wider spread on the collars, however.

 

[forex]

Get a wider spread collars so that the end of the collar doesn't show and maybe get more tie space or knot your tie smaller.

 

[Threadbearer]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

I personally think the height looks very nice. I would get a wider spread on the collars, however.

Originally Posted by forex

Get a wider spread collars so that the end of the collar doesn't show and maybe get more tie space or knot your tie smaller.
Thanks, gentlemen. Two questions, though:

First, isn't the visibility of one's collar points as dependent upon the jacket's gorge as it is on the shirt's collar spread? In my sample pics, for instance, it looks like my high-gorged 3-button suit closes the gap better than my 2B does. Does a man really need one set of shirts for his high-gorge jackets and another set for his low-gorge jackets?

Second, shouldn't a man choose his collar type based more on what flatters his face shape and neck length than on whether or not his collar points are hidden? After all, don't some men wear very narrow point collar shirts in order to lengthen their faces? The points of those collars couldn't possibly be hidden by one's jacket, could they?

 

[forex]

I think that those are valid points,however, I think that collar points can be hidden no matter what shape they are (spread,point collar,etc.) It might be difficult to achieve this with RTW shirts and suits but if you are getting custom,it will be pretty easy to do that. Since you are getting your shirts custom and are wearing RTW suits, I would get a slightly wider spread collar, it doesn't have to be very wide but in your case, wider spread will definitely help.
And yes, I wouldn't exclude the possibility of having and/or wearing specific collar shirts with specifit suits,that's just how it is when you are wearing RTW. I think that collar points showing looks very sloppy and spoils the whole look.

 

[ndw]

Originally Posted by forex

Get a wider spread collars so that the end of the collar doesn't show and maybe get more tie space or knot your tie smaller.

^This. I think a slightly wider spread will also suit your face.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by Threadbearer

Thanks, gentlemen. Two questions, though:

First, isn't the visibility of one's collar points as dependent upon the jacket's gorge as it is on the shirt's collar spread? In my sample pics, for instance, it looks like my high-gorged 3-button suit closes the gap better than my 2B does. Does a man really need one set of shirts for his high-gorge jackets and another set for his low-gorge jackets?

Second, shouldn't a man choose his collar type based more on what flatters his face shape and neck length than on whether or not his collar points are hidden? After all, don't some men wear very narrow point collar shirts in order to lengthen their faces? The points of those collars couldn't possibly be hidden by one's jacket, could they?

I don't think it is the gorge really, more the "straight" or "crookedness" of the jacket, however I don't think it should be enough of a difference to make or break wearing a certain shirt with a certain suit for collar reasons.

I know My Tailor says this is a traditional spread collar, but in my opinion it isn't all that spread. That is boarderline point. Some people argue over the face shape factor and type of collar, but I think the height you have paired with a sliiight more spread could hold the shape very well. If you had a real round meatball head with big ears it might be an argument.

All in all I don't think they look bad at all, but I think you could handle more of a spread and in my opinion they just always look better.

 

[Threadbearer]

Originally Posted by ndw

I think a slightly wider spread will also suit your face.
Wouldn't a pixellated spread suit me better?

 

[ndw]

Originally Posted by Threadbearer

Wouldn't a pixellated spread suit me better?

good one.

 

[Threadbearer]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

Some people argue over the face shape factor and type of collar, but I think the height you have paired with a sliiight more spread could hold the shape very well. If you had a real round meatball head with big ears it might be an argument.
I guess there's no harm in experimenting with it. With a long face and neck, however, I'm afraid that a wider collar will make me look like this from the shoulders up:

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

All in all I don't think they look bad at all, but I think you could handle more of a spread and in my opinion they just always look better.
Wide spread collars seem more elegant, that's for sure. Are they always appropriate, though? I though most SFers saved their wider spreads for "dandier" occasions.

 

[MBreinin]

I am going to ape everyone else's comments and say get a wider spread for sure.

Mike

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by Threadbearer

I guess there's no harm in experimenting with it. With a long face and neck, however, I'm afraid that a wider collar will make me look like this from the shoulders up:

Wide spread collars seem more elegant, that's for sure. Are they always appropriate, though? I though most SFers saved their wider spreads for "dandier" occasions.

You mean like posting on WAYWRN?

 

[Threadbearer]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

You mean like posting on WAYWRN?

Zzzzzzactly!

 

[SpooPoker]

Spread em wider TB. WIDER!

 

[NORE]

Forget the face/neck crap. Get a killer collar. Just make sure the points fall under your lapels. Nothing but win.