Fashion: Collar Stays

Have you ever wondered why sometimes a man’s collar is straight, while another bends or folds like a wet piece of paper?  It’s all because of the collar stays.  This simple yet effective accessory can change your whole look instantly, and make an ordinary look become KlassiQue!  Also known in some areas as “stiffeners” or more commonly known as “tabs”, collar stay is a small piece of material (most commonly plastic) that help keep your collar straight throughout the day to help preserve the proper structure of the shirt.  This is done by its weight and the strength of the material.  Sometimes these are sewn in, and if so you should bring them to a tailor and have it opened if you can.  They come in different shapes and lengths depending on your shirt.  We will explore the different kinds of collar stays, just remember, most likely 90% of the people you meet will never see them, but will see how they look by your shirt.

Simple:
Buttons
You see these on a lot of shirts in place of collar stays and normally are purchased that way, yet on occasion people add them.  These should not be used for business shirts, but more casual, or summer attire.  Yet an option nonetheless for those who want an easy way to keep their collar down.

Plastic:
These are the most common and have the most variability in them.  They can be thin, thick, clear or cloudy.  You see them a lot in shirts you buy from the store, which is good because you can take them out and preserve them for emergencies.  You can get them really cheap and if you break them, which they will, you can dispose of them.  I would steer clear of these because they often don’t work over time. So think of plastic collar stays as your disposable or your “in case of emergency” solution.  Then tend to break or not allow your shirt to “lay” correctly.  If you have to choose one, get the thicker plastic one’s for they will be more durable.  Just think of it this way, if you just spend a significant amount of money on a great shirt, spend a little more to make sure it looks right on you. Jos A Bank has the best ones for the price.

Sophisticated:
Magnetic (power stays)
This is the newest and most innovative collar stay.  These are perfect for keeping that crisp look with or without a tie.  The magnet is a the base of the collar stay that sits behind the collar.  Really great for the sweater, collar shirt combination where the collar can tend to drift outside the v-neck sweater keeping a cleaner and more polished look. Wurkin Stiffs has a great selection.

Steel (aluminum or stainless)
These are the most popular and suggested collar stays.  They are sharp and give your shirt the look it was intended to have.  They weight is barely noticeable and the material is strong enough to last a lifetime.  They are more expensive, but in the long run, will be worth it.  You can get a pair of 10-12 for less that $20 - $25.  Some places offer the option of personalizing them with your name or initials or they may come with a case.  Not necessary, but helps keep them in one place.  Stainless steel is more popular, yet aluminum is available since its lighter. Qstays has the best value for the price.  It comes with a case too.

Classic:
Golden & Silver
If you have cash money to spend on these, by all means.  They are not cheap.  For silver you are looking at $150+ and gold $500+.  Not necessary, but surely will make an impression for those who know.  Brooks Brothers has a good set of sliver ones, i would go to a specialty store to get authentic gold collar stays.

Brass
Although not as popular in the modern era, a great alternative option to stainless steel.  It adds a great classic look to your accessories, yet moreover something to bring things back to vintage.  It will surely set you apart from others. Ties.com has a great brass set.