The collar is one of the most distinctive parts of any dress shirt. It can be used to express your personal style and provide your outfit with a specific look.
Just like there are various types of men’s dress shoes for every occasion, certain collars can be better suited for different dress codes. Height, size, stiffness, and spread are all factors that influence a collar’s overall appearance.
Having a variety of collar styles in your dress shirt collection will ensure that you’ll be dressed to impress for every type of event. In this guide, we’ll explore the details of what differentiates each of the dress shirt collar types and the best ways to wear them.
10 Popular Dress Shirt Collar Types
Take a look at the most popular choices for men’s dress shirt collars. These ten types of collars range from casual to highly formal.
1. Forward Point Collar
Also known as the straight point, this standard collar type is appropriate for a variety of occasions. The narrow spread between the collar points makes it ideal to wear with a smaller tie knot.
This is a traditional collar choice to wear to the office and can easily be dressed up or down. Pair it with a classic suit and tie for any formal event or business meeting. One of the most popular dress shirt collar types, it also works well with a blazer and jeans for a more casual look.
2. Long Point Collar
As the name suggests, the collar points of this style are longer, which creates a wider spread. The vintage long point collar is coming back into fashion as a more comfortable alternative to the standard point collar.
This straight collar is not as stiff as traditional point collars. The style walks a fine line between dressy and casual without making too much of a statement. A long point collar can be worn for business and formal occasions.
3. Button-Down Collar
This type of collar has its roots in England’s polo fields and was popularized by the Brooks Brothers in the 1900s. Two small buttons secure the collar points to the shirt, giving it a practical and stylish appearance.
The button-down collar is usually considered a sportier look and therefore less formal than some other collar styles. However, with today’s more laid-back fashion standards, you can easily pair these casual shirts with a suit and tie for a spiffier look.
4. Spread Collar
The spread is the most common dress shirt collar type, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. With a wide distance between collar points, the spread collar can accommodate a number of interesting tie knots. It also works well with thicker ties made from heavier fabrics.
The spread collar has become an umbrella term covering anything from 4’’ small spread collars to 6’’ cutaway spreads. You can wear these collars as part of a business or smart casual outfit.
There’s also a semi-spread collar, which has points finishing 4 inches apart, compared to a spread collar which has points finishing 5 to 6 inches apart.
Adorned with a bow tie or necktie, or even without a tie, this collar can give any outfit a polished look. It’s a popular choice for stylish men. Match a spread collar with one of the wider tie knots such as the Full Windsor or Balthus Knot.
5. Cutaway “Windsor” Collar
The cutaway collar is an amplified version of the spread collar. The points are angled back towards the shoulders, opening up to 180 degrees or more. With this large spread, the collar allows for the biggest Windsor knot you can tie, hence the nickname.
This collar has a bold and sharp look that can be dressed up or down. It is generally not appropriate to wear a Windsor collar in the workplace. However, for any other event, the cutaway adds a subtle rakishness that you won’t find in other collars.
You can find two-button band cutaway collar shirts as well as regular one button Windsor collar shirts.
6. Tab Collar
This classic collar was very popular in the 1920s and 30s, but it is rare to find it outside of custom shops nowadays. The collar features a snap tab or small button and buttonhole underneath the tie. This lifts up the tie knot and pulls the collar points closer together for a sleek look.
You can wear this collar type for dressier occasions, to give a classy appearance. Never wear this collar without a tie – the whole purpose of this collar is to prop up your tie knot to make it more pronounced.
7. Band Collar
If you want to go tieless, the band collar is the perfect option. This type of dress shirt collar has no collar leaves, making it technically just a neckband. Also known as the granddad, this collar is always worn without a tie.
The band collar can give you a dressy look without appearing too stiff. You can wear the collared shirt alone for a clean business-casual style or under a blazer for a more modern look.
A variant of the band collar is the mandarin, which doesn’t have a button on the collar. However, Mandarin collars sometimes fasten with a small eyelet hook.
8. Club Collar
Another vintage choice is the club collar embellished with unique rounded edges. In the mid-nineteenth century, the club collar shirt was part of the uniform of the elite Eton College prep school in England. Today, club collars are sold as a separate “stiff” or detachable collar.
Worn with or without a tie, this collar gives a more relaxed feel than the harsh lines of other formal collars. If you want to add a unique element to your wardrobe, this vintage collar is the ideal choice.
9. Wing Collar
This is the most formal of all collar types. It is a band collar that is named for its starched collar points that protrude outwards like wingtips. This collar is exclusively worn for black-tie and white-tie events.
If you want to dress up for a black-tie occasion, a wing collared shirt paired with a bow tie and tuxedo gives a classic look. For a white-tie dress code, a wing collar is an absolute requirement.
10. Pinned Collar
A pinned collar provides you with the unique opportunity to add some sparkle to your outfit. The collar has pre-made holes in the points where you can push a collar pin or bar in place.
The main purpose of a collar pin is to elevate your tie. However, you can also experiment with different pin and bar styles for a touch of man jewelry, similar to cufflinks.
This collar is a great way to express your personal style and should be a key element of any men’s capsule wardrobe. You can also wear it for semi-formal occasions, where your unique look will be sure to draw attention.
Choose the Best Dress Shirt Collar for Your Face Shape
If you have a round face, the best shirt collar styles have narrow points. Choose button-down collars for a casual look or Windsor collars for a more elevated style.
If you have a long, narrow face, a spread collar will balance it nicely. A semi-spread collar is a good choice if you have an oval face.
Those with shorter necks should opt for standard height collar bands of 1″ or less. You might also be interested in our tips on how to dress to look slim and tall.
Final Thoughts on Dress Shirt Collar Types
A collar is not merely part of a shirt, but should rather be seen as one of its defining characteristics. You can choose from a variety of different types of shirt collars to expand your collection of dress shirts.
A combination of the perfect shirt, a well-chosen suit, and shoes, paired with a luxurious watch and pocket square, can help you leave a lasting impression at any event you attend.
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