Removing shirt collars? - YouLookFab Forum

I had a realization while putting away laundry and putting aside some things I don't wear: sometimes I feel like my shirts and blouses without collars are easier to wear than collared shirts. For instance, slippery silk shirts (like the classic Equipment ones, for example) seem a little fussy with jackets since I'm always trying to figure out how to deal with the collar -- wear it out over the jacket lapels (which can look either a little too officey, or maybe 70s?, or the collar styles fight), or wear the collar inside the jacket, which is problematic because it slips down, especially on one side, and never looks quite right.

I was wondering if many of you have tried removing the collar from these kinds of shirts so the result would be like the photo below. Were you happy with the results? Did you do it yourself or have a tailor do it, and did it cost much?

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10 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I have not done this Janet but I have decided to avoid collars on shirts too. I only own one which is a work logo shirt which I wear about one day a year so I am being successful.

Collars get so fussy with jackets and hair and a bust.

I will be interested to see if any of the clever tailors and sewers can provide advice as it sounds like a terrific idea.

barbaraq

Active Member

I think you could do this very successfully. Carefully remove the stitching that holds the collar to the band. Then close the resulting gap from the removed collar. A sewing machine works best, but you could do this carefully by hand, too.

Adelfa

Brilliant, Janet. Me too. Short neck makes it even worse. I sew, and it's not that difficult an alteration in principle, but I would take it to a tailor. The stitching is so close to the face that it should be as perfect as possible.

I have an Equipment shirt with a funky round collar that I think is not long for this world....

Style Fan

I don't wear shirts with collars for reasons stated above except for denim shirts and one plaid flannel shirt (I just bought it so we will see). I am a wimp when it comes to doing my own sewing. I use to sew my own clothes in high school and university but now I take everything to the tailor.

Brooklyn

I have been thinking about this too! I have a denim shirt dress that I recently removed the sleeves from (too tight) and now I am thinking I would like the collar gone as well. Fashion by attrition. I think I will have a go at it myself. But if it were an equipment shirt I would take it to a tailor.

Firecracker (Sharan)

I'm intrigued by the idea. I would try it first with a blouse that I felt I had nothing to lose
with. I would probably do the work myself, and if I found it too
difficult on the trial, I would take the next ones to a tailor.

I've recently had an epiphany about sewing blouses with collars: maybe I can give myself permission to stop trying to perfect my technique on collars with stands, because I don't really enjoy wearing them! What a concept, huh? Today I'm wearing a collared blouse that has a one-piece collar, and while it's more comfortable on my short neck than a collar with a stand, I do run into the same problems you describe, Janet. Collars are hard for me to layer.

Colette

I've never done this but it's an Interesting idea. I have a silk shirt in my archive with a funky collar that I've been trying to figure out what I can do to make it work. Your idea of removing the collar just might be what it needs. I'm not sure my sewing skills are advanced enough so this would need to go to the tailor.

I was challenged with a collar/jacket last week when I was wearing a collared shirt out to dinner. It's a looser, slouchy style shirt but it was just flopping about too much for me that night so I ended up wearing the shirt buttoned all the way up.

Caro in Oz

I often do this Janet Depending on the shirt I either unpick the stitching that holds the two pieces together. remove the collar & re-sew or I just use very sharp scissors to cut off the collar close to the join. On silk shirts I've had a few loose threads for a couple of washes then they seem to be fine.

Jeanie

Brilliant idea Janet! I think I will give this a try as collars just seem to get in the way and don't look great on me.

catgirl

I used to do this all the time with thrifted vintage men's shirts in college. Trouble is, I don't like the rounded collar either (what is the name for this? Not Nehru, but there is a name I'm forgetting). This is why I don't wear button downs very much.

ETA: looked it up. It's a band collar.

Anonymous

You might try just turning the collar under when you wear a shirt. I don't know about silk, but cotton and flannel stay tucked pretty well. At least you would get an idea of how the shirt would look before cutting.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

I would love to give this a try. I love my gingham thrifted print shirts but don't wear them enough due to the collars.

tulle

Like Alaskagirl, I used to do this all the time with fine cotton men's shirts from the thrift store, to end up with a sort of Edwardian band-collar effect. I learned to look carefully at the shape of the band (the strip of cloth the collar is sewn into) before attempting this. A fairly narrow, straight band works best; the wider, shaped, or overstitched ones look awkward without their collars. A seam ripper (that little tool with a sharp, curved blade that slips under a stitch to break it) will be your best friend for the job. Just cut all the stitches along the top of the band, remove the collar, and restitch with matching thread. This works very well for cotton, but silk can be delicate and slippery; you might want to take a valuable silk to a tailor. For less precious silk, removing the collar, then inserting a strip of fusible hem tape like Stitchwitchery inside the band will both help close it and make the band a bit sturdier before stiching. But Caro's method of simply cutting off the collar close to the band is the easiest, and could be a cool, RATE look for a silk blouse (especially one made of sheer chiffon or georgette) Good luck!

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