How to get a dress shirt collar to stand up after washing like it's new?

I've had problems with this for years and can't figure out how to maintain that "new dress shirt" look on my collars after washing. I usually hand wash in Woolite and hang dry. The problem I have is that after washing/ironing, the collar wears itself a lot more "spread out" when I have the top button undone (which is always since I work business casual) than when it was new. I look like I'm from the 70s/Saturday Night Fever and my undershirt always shows. You can basically see everything underneath the shirt above the first button I have fastened (undershirt, chest hair if I'm not wearing an undershirt, etc.). You can also see the inside of my collar towards the front because of the way the collar is limp/spread out.

So how to I get my dress shirt collar to stand upright like the attached photo below (taken wearing a new shirt for the first time)? Is it simply a matter of starching (which I've never tried because many advise against it)? If so, how do I starch properly to ensure that look? Or is there a particular ironing or hang dry technique that I'm foregoing?

Like this

Originally Posted by jmoody15

Click to expand...

Like this


I don't understand what that would achieve over regular collar stays, which I already use in my dress shirts. Sure, they keep the collar itself in a straight line over that portion, but it doesn't solve the "spread out" look I describe above.

I used to have this problem as well, until I bought better shirts. Now I wear mostly Finamore, plus a few Borrelli and Isaia. In my experience, their collars always look sharp. I wash my shirts with regular detergent (no starch) in the machine and then line dry them.

Originally Posted by blueheronNC

Click to expand...

I don't understand what that would achieve over regular collar stays, which I already use in my dress shirts. Sure, they keep the collar itself in a straight line over that portion, but it doesn't solve the "spread out" look I describe above.
It does solve the spread out look. Through magic!* *Unless you can explain magnetism, I'm calling it magic.

Originally Posted by Hans

Click to expand...

I used to have this problem as well, until I bought better shirts. Now I wear mostly Finamore, plus a few Borrelli and Isaia. In my experience, their collars always look sharp. I wash my shirts with regular detergent (no starch) in the machine and then line dry them.


All my shirts are MTM and in the $150-200 price range, so I'm not sure how much higher I need to go! Do you use any particular practices when line drying, like fastening various buttons (e.g. the top one)?

Originally Posted by blueheronNC

Click to expand...

I don't understand what that would achieve over regular collar stays, which I already use in my dress shirts. Sure, they keep the collar itself in a straight line over that portion, but it doesn't solve the "spread out" look I describe above.

It all depends on your positioning of the magnet. If you position the magnet wide, you'lee get the spread out look. If you slide the magnet into a narrower and higher position, then your collar stands up.

Those magnets are pretty strong, so it usually stays however you position your collar

Boil the body. Starch the collar and cuffs before your man buttons them on.

Change collar and cuffs to a fresh set before 2PM.


- B

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Click to expand...

Change collar and cuffs to a fresh set before 2PM.


- B

Before your mid afternoon shave.

Originally Posted by blueheronNC

Click to expand...

All my shirts are MTM and in the $150-200 price range, so I'm not sure how much higher I need to go! Do you use any particular practices when line drying, like fastening various buttons (e.g. the top one)?

No, I just dry them on a rack and then iron them while they are still a little bit humid. After that, I keep them on a hanger with the top button fastened.

Originally Posted by jmoody15

Click to expand...

Like this

I don't understand how these magnetic collar stays work. Can someone explain?

Where does the little magnet go?

Inside the shirt.

Originally Posted by Bentley

Click to expand...

I don't understand how these magnetic collar stays work. Can someone explain?

Where does the little magnet go?



I use a bunch of these instead of a belt.


- B

Originally Posted by blueheronNC

Click to expand...

I don't understand what that would achieve over regular collar stays, which I already use in my dress shirts. Sure, they keep the collar itself in a straight line over that portion, but it doesn't solve the "spread out" look I describe above.

Originally Posted by Bentley

Click to expand...

I don't understand how these magnetic collar stays work. Can someone explain?

Where does the little magnet go?

Some of you are too slow, not enough coffee today?

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

Click to expand...

I use a bunch of these instead of a belt.


- B

Have you found the realignment of the molecules in your reproductive area to of advantage?