Re-Collaring a White Shirt?

[Guest]

I have a bright white herringbone shirt, and the collar has a burn mark. I do not have the original fabric. Except for the collar, the shirt is in excellent condition.

Would it be worthwhile to re-collar and re-cuff in white broadcloth or pinpoint oxford? If yes, should it be a bright white and something with some shine or a more matte cotton? Or will the non-match be too obvious? Should I just discard the shirt?

Thanks.

[Guest]

Based on my experience re-collaring otherwise fine shirts, I'm sorry to say that you may be out of luck. In the past, I've re-collared non-white shirts that have white collars and cuffs and, in a couple cases, replaced non-white collars and cuffs with white when the shirt body remained serviceable. Without exception, the new white collars look different from the collars on older white shirts by the same maker and, for this reason, I've never tried to re-collar white shirts. Perhaps altering the color (i.e., the shade of white) or the fabric would solve this problem, but I fear that a collar in a new color or fabric would stand out even more.

I hope that others may be able to offer you better news.

[Guest]

I meant to add my username to the reply I made a second ago; it's palmer. Please feel free to let me know if you'd like more information about my experiences with shirt collars. They've been a pet peeve of mine for a while.

Regards,

palmer

[Guest]

I had the collar of a white shirt replaced once about two years ago. Since the original collar didn`t have a specific pattern replacing was no problem and I do wear the shirt more often now than I did when the old collar was one (because the shape and height of the new collar is more becoming to my face).


Richard

[Guest]

I have a number of shirts with barrel cuffs that I'm thinking of re-collaring in white. I'm not used to seeing shirts with white collars that aren't double (or French) cuffed-- would it be odd to have a barrel cuff shirt with contrasting white collar? If so, I suppose I could re-cuff in white as well, but I'm not fond of white cuffs.

Thanks.

[Guest]

I have a number of shirts with barrel cuffs that I'm thinking of re-collaring in white. I'm not used to seeing shirts with white collars that aren't double (or French) cuffed-- would it be odd to have a barrel cuff shirt with contrasting white collar? If so, I suppose I could re-cuff in white as well, but I'm not fond of white cuffs.

Traditionally only double cuffs would be correct. However, on one striped shirt on which I had the collar and cuffs replaced I opted for turnback (cocktail/James Bond) cuffs. I quite like the look even if it may not be traditional.


Regards,


Richard.

[Guest]

I have a number of shirts with barrel cuffs that I'm thinking of re-collaring in white. I'm not used to seeing shirts with white collars that aren't double (or French) cuffed-- would it be odd to have a barrel cuff shirt with contrasting white collar? If so, I suppose I could re-cuff in white as well, but I'm not fond of white cuffs.

White contrast collars on striped or solid coloured shirts give an elegant touch and are very appropriate with daywear suits ; in order to avoid a too much stylish look it seems preferable that the cuffs are not white but in the same pattern and color of the body shirt , as suggested by the classical english tradition. In my opinion barrel cuffs with a white contrast collar are even more appropriate , according to the adagio that a sort of restraint should be always present in man dressing. Your idea of re-collaring in white patterned or coloured shirts with barrel cuffs is really fantastic and for sure I will follow it.

Angelo, Genoa -Italy

[Guest]

Hello!

Re-collaring and/or re-cuffing a shirt is probably less a matter of style or fabric than a technical one.
Both, collar and cuffs, are in most cases fused with either a woven, cotton stiffener or a synthetic, non-woven material. If you don't have the right stiffener and a (steam)press the collar or cuffs might crinkle after a few washes or show bubbles from the stiffener not beeing fused correctly.
Still, if you can find a matching fabric, the right "ingredients" and a professional to do the job well, it can be easily done. But ask for the price first, so you can figure out, if the whole thing is worth it!


SG