Ask Harry: Different Types of Shirt Collars

Originally designed for sport, the button-down collar has since become one of menswear's most versatile staples, defined by the small buttons that fasten the collar points to the shirt, creating a relaxed yet polished ‘collar roll’. For this reason, the button-down collar wears just as well open as it does with a tie, and just as well under a sport jacket or worn on its own. Should you pair yours with a tie, make sure to match the collar’s relaxed nature with a knit or casual style.

The cutaway collar makes a bold, contemporary statement, defined by its dramatically angled points that face toward the shoulders rather than down, creating a wide spread that elegantly frames the face. It's a particularly flattering choice for those with narrower faces, as the wider stance helps balance proportions. When wearing a tie, the cutaway accommodates larger knots beautifully, though it looks just as sharp worn open with modern tailoring.

The camp collar is warm weather's most effortless neckline; a relaxed, one-piece collar that lies flat against the chest with no stiff structure or top button, creating a breezy, open V-neck that feels a world away from a traditional dress shirt. Typically cut straight and boxy with a straight hem designed to be worn untucked, camp collar shirts are equally at home paired with linen trousers, shorts, or layered over a tank top — relaxed sophistication at its most wearable.