The right collar shape - the perfect shirt collar for every occasion
Which collar shape suits me?
The most important thing with a shirt is a well-fitting collar. It should neither tie up nor be too loose. It should emphasize your own physical advantages and fit the occasion. The shape of the shirt collar is therefore decisive for a successful business or leisure look and also determines whether and what kind of tie or bow tie can be combined with it.
Basically, the collar shapes differ in the length and shape of the collar tips, as well as the height of the back. If the collar height is chosen correctly, it helps to visually stretch short necks and to conceal long necks.
So that the shirt collar not only fits the occasion but also harmonizes with the face of the wearer, you should not leave the choice of collar legs to chance. Depending on the spread and angle, they flatter rather narrow or wider facial shapes. To give you precious time and save you the tiresome search for "the perfect" collar, we have sorted the most important collar types and shapes according to occasions and face shapes and put together a suitable selection of shirt collars for you. Now you only have the agony of choice.
Collar shapes according to occasion: Which men's collar suits which occasion?
So that you can come around the corner perfectly styled for future meetings, birthday parties, barbecues or the next game evening with friends and don't miss a thing when it comes to collars, we show you the most important and most beautiful shirt collars for festive occasions, leisure time and the office.
Men collar for festive occasions
Man likes to wear shirt not only at business appointments. Also on festive occasions such as Christmas or New Year's Eve, the stylish man of today should show himself from his best side - and that can hardly be better than with a simple but noble men's shirt with matching collar and exciting tie. You can find out which collars are best suited for special moments and make you shine here in our shirt guide.
Wing collar
The Wing Collar, called Smokingkragen or Wing Collar, is the chic classic for festive occasions of the special kind. The striking stand-up collar with its small collar legs folded forward is worn exclusively with a bow tie and, as the name suggests, is best combined with a tuxedo or tailcoat. Here is an overview of our tuxedo shirts.
Tab collar
For festive occasions, where you want to dance the night away, the tab collar is particularly suitable. A firm fabric cuff and small snap fasteners, which are closed behind the tie knot, keep the collar legs close together and thus ensure a perfect fit of the tie. The tab collar looks most noble in combination with high tie knots.
Shirt collars for leisure time
If you like to be sporty but chic in your free time, a matching men's shirt with a stable and insensitive collar is just the right thing for you. Our casual collars offer you perfect support in every movement and make you look good even after an action-packed day.
Button-down collar
The button-down collar is the sporty leisure classic and is worn without a tie. It is especially appreciated for its stability and its soft fabric fits snugly on the skin. The button-down collar owes its firm hold to the buttons at the end of the two collar tips, which attach it to the shirt chest. This way the collar always stays in position after it has been buttoned once. The best collar for action packed days! Here is an overview of shirts with button-down collar.
Under-Button-Down collar
The Under-Button-Down collar is the chic brother of the Button-Down and still brings all the positive features of a casual collar. Non-visible buttons under the collar legs fix the collar to the shirt and make it look good without a tie and even with an open collar button. Here is an overview of shirts with under-button-down collar.
Which shirt collar fits in the office?
In the office, shirts are part of good manners and with the right styling tips can help you achieve the desired success. Monochrome business shirts in blue or white are regarded as classics of office wardrobe and enhance every business look. With the right collar you can show off your advantages and score points with your colleagues.
Kent collar
The Kent collar is the all-rounder among shirt collars. It looks particularly respectable at business meetings in a suit or business evening events. It is characterized by its particularly long collar legs, which can be worn with a tie or bow tie. The Modern Kent (also New York Kent), on the other hand, has shorter and slightly wider collar legs and is therefore known as an intermediate form of the Kent and shark collar. Here is an overview of shirts with kent collar.
Cutaway collar
If you want to set a fashionable accent with your business shirt, the best choice is a trendy cutaway collar. With its widely spaced collar wings it leaves plenty of room for voluminous tie knots and looks particularly expressive with suits with wide lapels. Our tie recommendation is the double Windsor: It emphasizes a self-confident appearance, looks elegant and yet not too severe. Here is an overview of our shirts with cutaway collar.
Double collar
Are you looking for an original shirt collar that stands out and yet can be worn in the office? Then the double collar is just right for you. Two layers of fabric on top of each other form the collar legs and the use of different patterns makes it look particularly youthful and modern. The double collar is also available as button-down or under-button and can be worn with a tie or open. Here is an overview of shirts with double collar.
Stand-up collar
The stand-up collar is the most original, puristic collar shape. The standing collar completely dispenses with the collar tips as well as with a turned-down fabric section. The stand-up collar thus consists merely of a stiff band around the collar neckline. Stand-up collar shirts are becoming more and more popular with fashion-conscious men and are absolutely in trend. Here is an overview of shirts with stand-up collar.
The 7 best shirt collars for every occasion
Wing collar: The chic classic for special occasions, which can be carried with a fly best to tuxedo or tailcoat
Tab collar: always keeps its fit, even at swinging events, and fits perfectly with high tie knots
Button-down collar: Sporty leisure collar that can be worn without a tie and is particularly suitable for action-packed days thanks to its stability
Under-Button-Down collar: The chic brother of the Button-Down can be worn without a tie and with an open collar button and meets all requirements of a casual shirt
Kent collar: Perfect companion for office and leisure time, which can be combined with a tie or bow tie with its long collar legs
Cutaway collar: Expressive shirt collar that gives your business look that certain something and harmonizes especially well with voluminous knots
Double collar: The eye-catching collar with the double layer of fabric has a youthful and modern look and is still suitable for a serious office outfit
Collar shapes according to face types: Which shirt collar fits which face shape?
The right collar shape can work wonders. It allows you to show off your physical advantages and easily conceal excess pounds. You can find out from our overview which collar is particularly flattering to your face shape.
Short neck
Men with a short neck should avoid high collars, as these visually shorten the neck. A short collar on the other hand stretches the neck and gives you the necessary centimeters.
Recommendations for you: The classic Kent collar. Its long, tapered collar legs lengthen the neck and offer enough room for almost all types of ties and knots. The characteristic turn-down collar can be worn with both business and leisure outfits.
Long neck
For men with a long neck we recommend a collar with a high back height.
Recommendations for you: The Mini Kent or shark collar. The short, wide collar legs conceal the neck area in no time at all.
Broad face
Low-board collars, i.e. collars with collar tips pulled down far, make the face appear smaller and are therefore particularly suitable for men with somewhat broader facial shapes.
Recommendations for you: classic Kent collar, button-down or under-button-down. The pointed, long collar legs narrow wider face shapes and conceal the neck area. Not suitable for men with double chins: This emphasizes the chin area.
Narrow face
If you have a rather narrow face and do not want to hide it behind a giant collar, it is best to reach for a slightly higher collar with short collar tips.
Recommendations for you: Modern Kent or shark collar. The collars make your face look more masculine and flatter particularly prominent features. Watch out! Men with a round face should not reach for the shark collar, because the wide apart collar legs make the head look even rounder.
The top collars for your face shape
Men with short necks reach best to collars with low back height: Kent collar
Men with long necks we recommend collars with a high back height: Mini Kent or Shark Collar
Short collar tips flatter particularly narrow face shapes: Modern Kent or shark collar (not suitable for roundish faces)
Wide collar thighs stretch wide face shapes, but are taboo for men with double chins: classic Kent collar, button-down or under-button-down
