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How much shirt collar should be above the suit collar?

Schwazer

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So what is the verdict?

If wearing a small sized shirt, would less shirt collar be shown compared to a larger shirt? Holding everything else constant?
 

MyOtherLife

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Whatever compliments the mans proportions will be the right amount.
 

Schwazer

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Taller man should show more shirt collar and vice versa?
 

alexanduh

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i like to get the whole shirt collar popped.
 

Schwazer

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Haha.
 

MyOtherLife

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Originally Posted by Schwazer
Taller man should show more shirt collar and vice versa?
Neck length and width should also be considered. A man with a longer neck would be better complimented with a higher collar, whereas a man with a short neck wearing a high collar would look wrong, simply because it is disproportionate on him. The overall guideline to a good fit is balancing ones features proportionately. This is why there is no set figure I can give in inches or millimetres, though I am sure someone has this down to a finer science than myself. Now a man with a shorter neck can also have his hair trimmed slightly higher up on the back of his neck to give him a more balanced appearance but he should still avoid high collars because a high collar on him will give the effect from the front, that his head is sinking into the shirt. A taller man or one with a longer neck may want to have his hair a bit longer, or perhaps he may find that a trimmed beard can balance his appearance. This, in combination with a higher collar can do wonders to balance him out. Overall guideline 2...shorter man=narrower collar.....taller man=wider higher collar (BD's included)
 

Blackhood

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In "The Gentleman: A Timeless guide to Mens Style" Roetzel recommends showing the same amount of collar as you show cuff. Personally I've found this to be a nice guideline.
 

Schwazer

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With a properly fitted suit, would the suit collar always sit correctly on the shirt collar when leaning, sitting or crossing of the arms?
 

Roger Everett

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I suppose if I were a male model, and posing for a picture, I could have everything adjusted properly for the shoot. But having the shoulders and posture where every jacket I buy has collar roll, that needs altering, coupled with a fairly short neck, I could set the reveal just right, but once I move around a bit, it is what it is.
 

emptym

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Originally Posted by Man Of Lint
Neck length and width should also be considered. A man with a longer neck would be better complimented with a higher collar, ... Overall guideline 2...shorter man=narrower collar.....taller man=wider higher collar (BD's included)
I think this is true, but I'd add that, ideally, the jacket collar would be taller/shorter too. That way, for example, a taller shirt collar would still only stick out a proportionate amount above the jacket collar, say 1/2-3/4". Personally, I prefer a little more shirt collar to stick out than shirt sleeve. 1/2-3/4 for the collar vs. 1/4-1/2" for the cuff. Edit: great post in the 16 yr old needing help thread, MoL.
 

nhannon

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I wear custom shirts with a tall collar due to a long neck, but RTW coats, so I end up showing more collar that way. Were I to commission a MTM or bespoke coat they would probably make a higher collar on the coat too. I don't mind the collar showing though; just collar gaps.
 

MyOtherLife

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Originally Posted by emptym
I think this is true, but I'd add that, ideally, the jacket collar would be taller/shorter too. That way, for example, a taller shirt collar would still only stick out a proportionate amount above the jacket collar, say 1/2-3/4". Personally, I prefer a little more shirt collar to stick out than shirt sleeve. 1/2-3/4 for the collar vs. 1/4-1/2" for the cuff.

Edit: great post in the 16 yr old needing help thread, MoL.


I agree with this, and thank you emptym.
 

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