Few guys pay attention to their shirts. After all, a shirt’s a shirt, right? In reality, there are several ways that a shirt can stand out from the rest: fit, sleeve, cuff and so on. A collar is one of the more defining characteristics of the shirt because it’s such a visible feature. Before you dismiss the collar as trivial, keep in mind that there are different kinds in use, and that they each go with a certain kind of tie.

Spread Collars
Easily the most versatile type of collar, the spread style can work with all but the thinnest neckties out there. It’s just an added bonus that they’re also the most common type on the market, and can thus be found very easily at any price point.

One of the best things about spread collars is that they’re not very demanding with regard to the way you do up your necktie. Your knot need not be perfect, so long as it’s relatively small to keep things in proportion. A four-in-hand, however, is recommended as the most suitable knot for this kind of collar. If you’re not sure about what combination of collar style and tie to get, ask for a spread collar and a medium width necktie.

Straight-Point Collars
Get this if you’re feeling a little more fashionable and daring. This is the safest choice if you have a slimmer build, not in the least because it’s the most appropriate collar style for a thin tie. Another great thing is that this style of collar looks very neat when worn under a suit jacket, as the elongated tips help keep the collar neatly in place under the jacket.

It’s best to pair straight-point collars with those thin bar-type ties and skinny neckties that are in favor with the younger crowd today. The slimmer shape of the collar is an excellent complement to the trimmer proportions of the tie. Regular-width ties, however, can still work with this style of collar.

Button-Down Collars
Although button-down collars are regarded as the most casual of collar styles, you can still pull one off at the office by getting it in a finer fabric instead of the regular oxfords. You may, however, want to think twice about wearing these to strictly formal events like weddings and fancy dinners. Keep your button-down collars to casual evenings out and family brunches.

Pair a shirt with a button-down collar to a regular- or medium-width tie so that you don’t end up emphasizing the presence of those extra buttons. One trick to pulling off button-down collars in the office is to get them in patterns like stripes instead of simple solids; the latter tends to make you look like a salesman from the department store.

With so many things to consider, choosing shirts to go with neckties and occasions is a fine art. It takes a bit of practice, but you should be able to get everything down in no time. Just remember to try different combinations and always trust what you see in the mirror.

Hendrik is an expert on mens fashion. He himself has a passion for formal attire, neckties, bow ties, and business attire. He is also the founder of discount tie retailerCheap-neckties.com -= a site offering a wide range of discount silk ties and cheap bow ties.

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