Why Are Collared Shirts So Uncomfortable? Enter The Flannel Shirt

Style

12 Feb

A brief guide on what makes collars on shirts so uncomfortable, what you can do to fix it, and why this superfine flannel shirt from Berkeley Company has been the answer for me.

Shirts, of any kind, must be super comfortable. This flannel shirt from @berkeleycompany_official I’m wearing above is a favourite of mine for that reason. I remember taking it out the packaging and thinking, ‘Wow’, because I’d never felt a fine, formal-looking, shirt that soft before.

Why are collared shirts so irritating on my skin?

I think I can speak on behalf of many men who naturally find the idea of collared shirt somewhat restrictive and uncomfortable, which is no surprise nowadays when we practically grow up in T-shirts, knitwear, or gymwear.

The wrong material

Many things cause discomfort in shirts. Needless to say, synthetic fabrics are no friend to our skin for all sorts of reasons, they can trap moisture as opposed to release it. Cheaper shirts (synthetic and natural) can be packed and pressed with chemicals that can cause bad reactions for some necks.

The wrong-size collar

The wrong-size shirt also causes additional discomfort. A collar too tight can agitate the skin when you turn your head even a jot to the right or left. A collar too big can leave gaps in the wrong places, and your movements can cause your skin to constantly graze up against the fabric, feeling more irritating as opposed to the fabric and you sitting comfortably together.

What is the right collar size?

Collar size is personal. The masochists among you may enjoy feeling choked, but I can’t say I do. Some of you may love a big open collar with no need for a tie, but it can’t be too big otherwise, you disrupt the proportions of the shoulder, placket, and whole shirt even.

Objectively speaking, when the top button is fastened, you should be able to get two fingers down your neck without struggling, but not too easily. That is, not like a car driving down a tunnel. Using that as a basis, you can try out what size collar you like best. Are you ever going to wear a tie with it? If not, that may give you some room to play with, because if you have a looser collar and suddenly wear a tie with it, there will be this noticeable gap between the top button and your neck, which is not a great look.

Superfine flannel shirts are the way to go

Bearing all that in mind, I have found this super fine cedar flannel shirt to be a winner for comfort, like, a genuine pleasure to wear for its softness. Official details from Berkeley state:

Yarn: 100% ELS cotton
Ply: 2/80, 2-ply
Weight: 140 g/sqm
Weave: Twill
Dye: Yarn dye

I also like that this collar stands quite tall compared to the average office shirt from mainstream brands. The button-down feature creates a lovely sartorial curve making it look and feel more organic, if one can say that.

Here, I’m wearing it with a navy Merino knitted blazer, and the tall button-down collar helps it to stand firm and stylishly without the risk of it collapsing or rumpling underneath.

In short, if you want to try a quality shirt, of natural fabric, and comfortable, put cotton aside for once, and try a superfine flannel shirt. I’m so delighted with it that I am on the lookout for a navy equivalent. Berkeley has a navy option (for those who might lunge for that instead first), but I’m not keen on contrasting white buttons, but we will see. Otherwise, I can’t fault the product.

John-Paul Stuthridge

John-Paul is an etiquette and style coach from United Kingdom who provides a range of effective, informative, and fun etiquette courses to suit all purposes, ranging from social etiquette to business etiquette and everything in between.