How do you wear a collared shirt with a blazer...

ironkurtin

...without looking robotically corporate or like disco Stu?

I can't figure it out.

I wear dark jeans every day pretty much, and I have collared shirts, and I have blazers, but wearing a collared shirt under a blazer feels really, really weird to me.

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12 years ago

Dressing

36 replies

Latest reply was from collarup2016

MsMary

Veteran

I generally wear the collar inside the blazer. I may be mistaken, but I don't think I look robotically corporate...

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12 years ago

Liz A.

Veteran

I wear my collar inside as well. I'm not super comfortable with the look though.

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

MaryK, I think you work in a much more official capacity than I do. You also wear many more colors and patterns, which breaks up the robotic penguin aspect that I get when I dress like this.

Would tucking it inside really work?

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12 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Well, your choices are inside or outside. My feeling is inside is a cleaner line and lets the blazer shine.

Although sometimes I split the difference!

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12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I could wear a tie...

12 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I rather like disco stu!!

I am not a fan of the collar worn out over the blazer, tho a number of fabbers including Angie wear this look rather well:) I prefer the look of the collar just sitting up inside the blazer, it does create a kind of cool vibe. I also don't mind the shirt collar done up 'man style'. Having said all this I don't wear collared shirts very much and prefer a non collared top under my blazers.

12 years ago

Nicole D

Veteran

I'm with MK, usually tuck it in the collar, but I agree, it is a bit tricky and can look sort of stiff. The good thing about wearing it inside is less adjustment required if you need to remove the jacket at some point.

12 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I also like to wear a scarf over the whole mishegas.

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12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

It's just annoying that I have blazers, and I have collared shirts, and I hate wearing them together. It takes a big swatch out of my closet.

12 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

You know what? I seem to remember some blogger (maybe Already Pretty?) actually tucking her shirt collar under to make it look like a v-neck. Would that work for you?

ETA: Found it!

12 years ago

MsLuna

Veteran

Ironkurtin, you read my mind. I've been meaning to ask that question given that I suddenly own 3 button downs after almost 5 years of not wearing them.

And thanks for posting photos ladies! I'll be having a look at them!

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Heh. I just button mine all the way up. And then pop the collar even further.

No, seriously -- I DO that.

But I also wear them like Mary K. OR out over the jacket. Or I pop a scarf on top. Whatever works best with the lapels of the jacket and the particular shirt style.

12 years ago

deb

Veteran

I wear my color inside my blazer whether it is to work or to play. I follow the men's style guide in this.

12 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Inside, inside, inside. I'm on team inside, without exception (unless it's a halloween party and you're going as a male disco professional).

According to Paul Fussel it's also "higher class", as are crew, rather than v, neck sweater vests (v-neck sweaters were invented to advertise that a man was wearing a tie). (-:

Fussel aside, I just think it looks tidier.

12 years ago

pil

Veteran

Inside for me too, though I prefer colarless with a blazer.

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for asking, IK! I struggle with this, too.

MaryK, your visuals are super helpful!

12 years ago

Jeanie

Veteran

Cool idea that MaryK has to tuck the collar. I hope someone tries this.

12 years ago

annaj

Veteran

My style is very casual, and I wear my collars inside my blazers. I usually have my shirts unbuttoned so that you can get a glimpse of a plain coloured tank underneath, which breaks it up and makes it a little less office, and a little more relaxed. I often do the half tuck too, so the back of my shirt hangs below the blazer. Casual and scruffy enough sounding for you?!

12 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Given you have one of those arctic offices, I vote an infinity scarf or shawl to camouflage the collar and leave it standing. Shirt untucked with belt over (under blazer) could help penguin suit issues. Or very non-suit pants or skirts. I like the idea of a tie too... especially for you. Or an irreverent neck accessory like a leather choker or something. Or a fringe necklace if you can stand it. Or hey, how about pushing the suit too far with suspenders or vest?

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I was totally joking about the tie.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Re your question on Rae's thread...once in a blue moon I'll get a collar that chokes me, but most shirts that fit me in the shoulders will have appropriate room in the neck. My neck is not super skinny (I don't think) but it's not super thick, either. It is on the long side.

I do know that guys can have this issue (in both directions -- collar too tight, collar too baggy) and in the good old days they could buy shirts with sleeve and collar sizes specified -- but nowadays that is harder even for them.

12 years ago

cciele

Veteran

I dunno, I like the idea of look #1 with faded flared trouser jeans and scrunched sleeves.

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Don't mock the tie! I have worn a tie with a collared shirt (open) and blazer - the only way I can manage a collared shirt and blazer is if I channel "insouciant British schoolboy".

12 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I think Disco Stu is hawt.

No advice on the shirts, alas. I have trouble wearing them too.

12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Okay, I lied - I did wear a buttoned up shirt too.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....oots-fryes

12 years ago

always trying

Veteran

Mary k -love all your looks! shirt collors over blazers always reminds me of old movies-like 40's, 50's looks.

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

C'mon, lovin' that disco suit!

I love the look of collared shirts, but they don't love me back, alas, so not much help there. I wonder how Angie wears hers . . .

From 2012, but looks like she wears the collar over the blazer. Not corporate at all IMHO. http://youlookfab.com/2012/01/.....obe-items/

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

It's just not my style. Angie and MaryK have a much more polished persona.

12 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

Dana, I think you have it in a nutshell with your last comment. A collared shirt with a blazer is just inherently more of a polished and corporate look. I don't think there is much you can do to change that. You have to reconcile yourself to wearing them separately if you don't want a buttoned up look. (Or maybe wearing the blazer with a fully unbuttoned shirt as a mid-layer and a bottom layer underneath, but that could look like exhausted teenage boy attending family event.) A patterned shirt and an interesting cut on the blazer will take you further from polished and corporate, but only a few steps. If it makes you feel better, even I don't easily wear collared shirts and blazers often. They feel too formal for me too. I only wear them for big client meetings where I need to be one of the suits at the table.

12 years ago

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