Tips for Your Collar
A collared shirt adds another element of style, as well as an additional element of ironing, creasing, folding and care taking. For a clean and sophisticated look, learn keep your collar in top shape both during wearing and washing.
Wash and Dry
Collared shirts are ideal candidates for professional cleaning; best results usually come from sending out your collared shirts for a wash and fold, or dry cleaning service. To wash your shirt at home, check the care tag inside the left or right side seam. Note the materials your shirt is constructed from, as well as the instructions and what to avoid. Common tags might read, "Machine wash warm, tumble dry, iron warm" or "Machine wash cold. Hang dry." Note the fabric in order to set the water temperature for washing, and follow the tag instructions. Remove any "stays" in the collar prior to washing, save them for insertion once your shirt is cleaned. For best results, do not machine dry a collared shirt. Hang your shirt, with all buttons secured. Use your hands to pull and smooth the fabric of the shirt and collar. Insert your collar stays, and use your fingers to fold the collar over while wet so that it dries in the proper position. Iron your dry shirt according to tag instructions; make sure that you remove wrinkles with the tip of your iron. Check the References section for more information on iron your collar or collared shirt.
Store and Wear
A collared shirt is best stored on a hanger, rather than folded. If you can, hang all your collared shirts with all buttons secured, between wearing and washing. Make sure you wash these shirts right away after wearing, as light colored shirts can acquire permanent stains on the collar from body oils if allowed to sit between washing and wearing. Collar stays should be in, if provided. When worn casually, most people like to leave the top button unbuttoned on a collared shirt. In general, collars should always be worn smooth and folded down.
Accessorize and Style
For women's shirts, with or without a button-down front, decorative pins or a scarf can be placed at the collar line to add style and a bit of personal flare. In general, collars should be worn smooth and folded down. For wider collars with open shoulders, try tilting your collar so that your shirt appears off the shoulder, or styled. Collars made of fur, with ribbon or snap closures, can even be added over your collar, or to non-collared shirts. This can help to add a formal touch for a night out, or simply as a practical touch for colder seasons.
When dressing, if you are wearing a tie or a bow tie, your collar should be flipped up during positioning, and then folded down over the tie or bow tie strap. Buttons should be done up all the way to your neck, and the tie should be centered in the collar. Women have more flexibility as a scarf can be worn tucked under the collar, like a tie, or wrapped over it in any style they chose. For the popular "popped collar" look, iron the collar flat without a fold.
Tags: your collar, your shirt, collared shirt, folded down, best results, buttons secured, collared shirts
