STAY THE COURSE

An essential (overlooked) accessory in every man’s wardrobe.

Invented in the early 1900’s, collar stays replaced the once-popular detachable collar, which fell out of fashion in the 20th century after being deemed “too rigid” by public opinion.

Collar stays, a narrow, flat tab usually made from metal or plastic and inserted into a pocket on the underside of a dress shirt’s collar, are still an essential accessory in a man’s wardrobe. However, after more than a year of dressing down, The Inevitable Gentleman feels compelled to provide a primer.

Collar stays serve a valuable purpose. They keep a shirt collar firm and crisp and help to properly frame the face and the knot of a necktie in a way that is congruously pleasing and harmonious with the entire outfit. A droopy shirt collar that sags or curls screams "sloppy."

Be sure to keep a supply on hand, as they do tend to disappear. And remember – collar stays should be removed from shirts before dry cleaning or pressing. If they aren’t, the cleaning process can damage the shirt and also leave a revealing impression on the collar.

MacGyver Tip: Arrive at a meeting and forgot your collar stays? A larger paper clip works just fine in a pinch.

And for the man who has everything, designers like Tom Design Shop can engrave or monogram stainless steel collar stays for a truly personalized gift.