Collar Stiffeners

[Scoundrels]

I love them. A much underrated item in my opinion.
I can't believe the amount of people I see wearing a shirt with curling collars. Possibly the greatest invention since the Star Bar.

 

[RedHorseman]

Always a must when suited and booted, useful when you need a screwdriver as well.

 

[Ben88]

Yep, curled collars rolled into the shirt make me cringe. I have a set for every shirt and spares at work incase I ever forget.

 

[ChopperHarris]

I've got a vast array of them, collected over the years from various suits - all of the thin, plastic, bundled with the shirt variety. They do a job - and I'm happy with them in - but given that I never wear shirts without them, why don't they just stitch them in place and be done with it?

 

[FrankieG]

I've got a vast array of them, collected over the years from various suits - all of the thin, plastic, bundled with the shirt variety. They do a job - and I'm happy with them in - but given that I never wear shirts without them, why don't they just stitch them in place and be done with it?

Maybe they're not sewn in because after several pressings/ironing the outline would start showing through the fabric?

 

[ChopperHarris]

Maybe they're not sawn in because after several pressings/ironing the outline would start showing through the fabric?

That's a fair comment and not one I'd considered. I think that the type of interfacing used would make a difference but you could be on to something!

 

[jds]

I've got a vast array of them, collected over the years from various suits - all of the thin, plastic, bundled with the shirt variety. They do a job - and I'm happy with them in - but given that I never wear shirts without them, why don't they just stitch them in place and be done with it?

Maybe they're not sawn in because after several pressings/ironing the outline would start showing through the fabric?

That's just it. The cheaper formal shirts do have flimsy plastic stiffeners that are give the collars a notional rigidity, but don't really do the job.

Whilst we are talking about shirts - pockets on formal shirts, why?

 

[RedHorseman]

So when you take your jacket off your nipples don't show through.

 

[jds]

So when you take your jacket off your nipples don't show through.

I have to say I'd never considered that as a reason. If that is indeed the reason for shirt pockets why is there generally only one on the left chest panel?

 

[FrankieG]

I prefer no pocket on formal shirts, although on an office shirt, when worn without a jacket, a pocket can be quite handy for holding a pen etc.

 

[Scuba Steve]

I also wear collar stiffeners, mine are either made from brass or chrome plated steel.
If these were sewn into the shirt then I doubt if the shirt would last any longer than a few washes.

 

[Tall_Paul]

I ordered some Charles Tyrwhitt shirts and they came with brass collar stiffeners which I thought was a nice touch.

The collars do still have a slight bend to them though, even with them in.

 

[Scuba Steve]

Paul,
The beauty of those collar stiffeners is you can actually bend them into the position that you would like your collar to sit.

I ordered some Charles Tyrwhitt shirts and they came with brass collar stiffeners which I thought was a nice touch.

The collars do still have a slight bend to them though, even with them in.

 

[OrangeSport]

I've got a vast array of them, collected over the years from various suits - all of the thin, plastic, bundled with the shirt variety. They do a job - and I'm happy with them in - but given that I never wear shirts without them, why don't they just stitch them in place and be done with it?

Maybe they're not sawn in because after several pressings/ironing the outline would start showing through the fabric?

That's just it. The cheaper formal shirts do have flimsy plastic stiffeners that are give the collars a notional rigidity, but don't really do the job.

Whilst we are talking about shirts - pockets on formal shirts, why?

I have always thought that if they have a pocket shirts are not formal.

 

[Ben88]

I buy the same shirts Paul and the collar stays are included with the embossed logo as you say.

No pocket on my formal work shirts. Makes you look like a buss driver otherwise

 

[Scoundrels]

I've got a vast array of them, collected over the years from various suits - all of the thin, plastic, bundled with the shirt variety. They do a job - and I'm happy with them in - but given that I never wear shirts without them, why don't they just stitch them in place and be done with it?

Maybe they're not sawn in because after several pressings/ironing the outline would start showing through the fabric?

That's just it. The cheaper formal shirts do have flimsy plastic stiffeners that are give the collars a notional rigidity, but don't really do the job.

Whilst we are talking about shirts - pockets on formal shirts, why?

I don't like pockets on any shirt.

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The most recent set of collar stiffeners I bought were from stiffies.co.uk

Great idea having a magnet to keep your collar in place when not wearing a tie.