Collars and cuffs: what to consider when you’re buying business shirts online

photo by millicent_bystander

If you’re shopping for a business shirt, you’ll find no shortage of options either online, or offline. There’s shirts with a button-collar, others that are barrel cuffed… and no matter what style they come in… the priority is always that the business shirt is the best possible quality. As people get older, their styles change; they may even have the physical marks to show the mistakes they made with their clothes. When you’re out shopping, keep in mind the different types of business shirt collar options suitable to highlight your best features.

A look at the six varieties of collars

Banded – Banded collar shirts basically means there is no collar; just a lone button that can be found at the neck. Many male celebrities have worn this type of shirt… including MacGyver.
Button-down – Shirts with this type of collars are quite popular with Mormons, consulting firms, schools, etc. This shirt should not be worn unbuttoned and you shouldn’t alter it by cutting off the buttons, trying to make it a regular shirt. You’ll still have the buttonholes in the collar area and people are going to notice.
Curved – A curved collar is just a straight collar that will curve away from the face ever so slightly. If you’re looking for a different look, you’ll find it with this kind of collar. You can find Steve Martin wearing this shirt type from time to time.
Spread – This type of collar is straight but has been so spread out that it’s no longer straight. Due to space that can be seen between the collar tips, the shirt collar is also known as cutaway. These types of shirts are usually narrower than shirts with straight collars. These shirt types are found in an array of spread distances.
Straight – The most common type of collar you’ll find being sold on the market is the standard collar. Straight collars have a number of spreads, which means the distance between collars where your tie might reside. Of course, you don’t want to choose to narrow of a spread, as it might cause some problems.
Tab – It’s not understood why there is a tab collar but it’s a collar that’s got a small snap-tab, which connects both sides of the collar together.

The idea with having so many choices of collars is to find one that you like. If you’ve got a narrow face, your best bet is to use wide collars so that you can broaden your face (make it stand out). If a man has a wide face, he should use only collars that are narrow so that the business shirt will lengthen their face.

Keep in mind that your personal preference should play out before you disregard a collar type. However, you should never just settle on any collar. Wear what you want and forget what anyone else thinks. If you look good in it and know it, wear it.

Tips and advice about cuffs

There are several options for your business shirt cuffs, however, you mainly see either built-in buttons or holes for your cufflinks. Just like the collars of men’s business shirts, your choice of cuff types should be based on your personal style. Our preference is to go for the double cuff or French cuff shirt, so you can bust out the cufflinks!

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