MapsMapsMaps wrote:So I went to Macy's to pick up a bunch of dress shirts. It seemed like 90% of the stuff I found had "point collars" rather than the wider collars. I tried on 5 or 6 different brands, and I think 4 of them had these type of collars. I need to get slim fit, lest I look like a square (Im short and muscular).
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I got frustrated and said fuck it. I just bought 2 and made sure to ask about the return policy. I wanted to try it on with my suit and see how it looks. I dont really like it, but Im not sure if that's because Im just not used to it or if it genuinely looks retarded. I dont like that the collar doesnt go underneath the collar of my suit.
Thoughts?
Traditionally, you could tell the formality of an event by the width of the collar that was expected at it. For a formal portrait in a suit, you wouldn't would definitely have a collar wide enough that the collar tips would be fully concealed behind your jacket lapels. Notwithstanding the current popularity of the wider forms of the spread collar, this is still generally the rule.
Everything you will ever do as a lawyer (except for taking the odd formal portrait or fancy ass dinner) is not formal. It's business. For business, a narrower spread is most appropriate, but the current style dictates that up to a medium spread is fully acceptable. Basically, the range is standard point to medium spread. If you go narrower, you look like an extra from Goodfellas. If you go wider, you look like you're going to a prom. (If you go button-down, you look like you shouldn't be wearing a tie.)
If you prefer medium spread, return your point collars for a couple medium spreads and nobody will ever look at you twice. However, with the shorter length of today's collars (particularly in slimmer-cut off-the-rack shirts), a lot of medium spread collars won't be hidden by your jacket lapels either.
Also, despite the apparent plethora of brands at Macy's, everything there is made by the same two companies. There's no reason to shop at Macy's for anything, ever, unless you particularly like the store-brand Alfani undershirts or they're having one hell of a sale. All their label stuff is available at TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Ross/Burlington Coat Factory/anywhere for a lot less.
-Pufer