What Are Collar Stays?
Collar stays may not get the attention that lapel pins or cufflinks do, but they play an essential role in your outfit. And what are collar stays? These small accessories have been working behind the scenes for over a century to keep your shirt collar looking sharp and crisp. They help anchor the collar down, ensuring it stays in place and maintains a neat, polished appearance. Let's take a closer look at what else makes these accessories so important.
A Brief History of Collar Stays
Collar stays were invented in 1908 to replace the detachable collar, which had been popular since the 18th century. As the detachable collar lost popularity in the 20th century, collar stays became favoured for their compactness and convenience.
People first used the term "collar stay" in 1953. With cufflinks, tie bars, lapel pins, and collar bars all at their prime and competing for attention, it's easy to overlook collar stays. However, they continue to play a vital role in keeping your collar sharp and well-structured.
What Are Collar Stays & What Do They Do?
Collar stays are small, flat inserts that slide into your shirt collar to keep it crisp and neat. They come in gold, plastic, stainless steel, silver, and brass. Only collared dress shirts are designed to hold collar stays, as they feature a slit on the underside of the collar for easy insertion. If you want your collar to stay sharp and tidy, especially for formal or business events, collar stays are a must-have. Pair them with neckties or collar pins to complete your polished look.
Are collar stays necessary? Absolutely! They're a practical addition that keeps your collar sharp and in place, particularly for formal or business occasions. Collar stays help anchor your collar, giving it a crisp shape that looks neat and polished, especially when paired with ties or collar pins.
2 Types of Collar Stays
Collar stays generally fall into one of two different categories.
Removable Collar Stays
Most collar stays are sold independently from dress shirts, meaning most shirts don't come with them. Although they're an extra add-on that you have to buy separately, their benefit is that you can insert them into any dress shirt you own, giving you flexibility. These are always sold in pairs (as your collar has two sides), and you can insert them or remove them from your collar whenever you wish.
Sewn-In Collar Stays
Some pricier dress shirts come with collar stays sewn in. Although this is an obvious convenience, it also increases the price of the shirt and decreases your flexibility. It means you can't remove them and put them into another shirt. However, if you don't mind paying a few extra dollars and are happy for them to be fixed to a particular shirt, sewn-in collar stays may be the way to go.
How to Wear Collar Stays
If your collar stays aren't sewn in, learn how to put on collar stays correctly. Most collar stays have one end narrower than the other so that you can feed them through the fabric more easily:
- Lift your collar on both sides to access the fabric's underside.
- Locate the slit in the fabric with your hand.
- Please take one of your collar stays and slide it through the fabric towards the front end of the collar, narrow end first.
- Push the collar right to the front of the collar so that the fabric entirely envelops it.
- Repeat on the other side.
Collar Stay Materials
Collar stays come in various materials, so there's a considerable disparity in quality and cost. Choosing the right pair of collar stays for you will depend on your wallet-friendly or practical values. Choose the best collar stays that suit your style, whether smooth metal or clear plastic, to ensure the sharpest look for your collar.
Plastic Collar Stays
The most abundant and easy-to-find collar stays are the plastic collar stays. They're easy on your wallet, and you can purchase them in large quantities. If you lose one, it's easy to replace. This is the most common type of collar that stays sewn into dress shirts. Plastic collars' downfall is that they're less heavy than other materials, making them less effective. They'll stop your collar from blowing around in the wind, but they'll do only a primary job of keeping it flat-lined and sturdy.
Gold Collar Stays
Gold collar stays are on the opposite side of the spectrum and will easily set you back $50 or more. They make an excellent heirloom to pass down your family tree for the more showy personality who doesn't mind splashing a dime. Just be aware that because collar stays aren't visible to the naked eye when worn, gold collar stays can be seen as a bit excessive.
Metal Collar Stays
Metal collar stays are cost-effective and functional, a superb marriage of practicality and wallet-friendliness. Stainless steel, rhodium, and brass are popular metal types for collar stays, offering a magnificent weight. They do their job without the high price tag.
How to Wash & Care for Shirts With Collar Stays
Be careful when washing shirts with collar stays. We recommend removing the collar stays beforehand. To properly wash shirts with collar stays without damaging them, follow these steps:
- Remove the collar stays: Always remove removable ones before washing to prevent damage.
- Wash the shirt: Follow the care instructions, using a gentle cycle and cold water to protect the fabric.
- Dry the shirt properly: Air-dry or tumble-dry on low heat to avoid shrinkage or damage.
- Clean the collar stays: Wipe the metal stays with a damp cloth, polish them for extra shine, and clean them regularly to avoid dust buildup.
- Reinsert the collar stays: Reinsert the stays into their slots after drying.
- Polish metal stays shiny occasionally to avoid rust. Replace plastic stays if they warp or lose shape.
If your collar stays are sewn in, you can wash the shirt as usual without removing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the point of collar stays?
The collar stays, so keep your shirt collar stiff. This will give it a sharp, crisp look throughout the day.
Are you supposed to remove the collar stays?
Yes, remove collar stays before washing your shirt to prevent bending or damaging them.
Where to put collar stays?
Insert collar stays into the slits on the underside of your shirt collar to keep it firm and well-shaped.
How to use military collar stays?
Insert military collar stays into your shirt to maintain a sharp, professional look, ensuring the collar remains crisp all day.
