One of the most popular forms of dress shirts among royalty, Hollywood celebrities, and men of stature for the past 100 years, is the classic spread collar shirt. The main characteristics that make this collar stand tall in men’s formal wear is how far apart the two tips of the collar are spaced, creating a wide inverted “V” shape.

The signature look to pulling off the ideal “spread collar” attire has nothing to do with matching tie and pocket square. Instead this look is tailored mostly for men thin in stature. The spread collar shirt wasn’t designed for everyone, but there are options for those looking to enhance their wardrobe with a touch of society’s elite.

To understand the spread collar dress shirt, one must first understand the variations in collar style. The most popular men’s turn down dress shirt is the standard point collar, comprising 90% of men’s dress shirts sold. A point collar shirt is recognized when a man’s necktie fits exactly between the two tips of the collar with little wiggle room for adjustment.

The button point collar is also very recognizable, for its functional use. Considered the casual dress option, button point collars are selected by men who wish to avoid using the tie, yet still want to remain presentable. Collar buttons must always remain fastened on these shirts as a standard rule of thumb. Moving from these narrow based collared shirts, the spread collar offers an essence of regal presence for its exclusive design.

Spread collar dress shirts come in three variations: medium, classic and wide, otherwise known as curved. Medium spread collar shirts are a great stepping stone into this choice of collar, as the medium collar is safe for all men. Facial construction is crucial when selecting the appropriate collar width. Those with rounder or heavier faces should not fear wearing medium spread collars.