For the sheer hell of it I bought a white tab collar from Paul frederick. For those of you outside the US, this Frederick outfit is the purveyor of some of the most spectacularly cheesy shirts and appalling ties known to Western man – sort of a cross between International Male and a store selling carpet remnants.

However, PF also makes inexpensive, ordinary shirts, in colors such as white, and light blue. They are about what you'd expect — made in China, somewhat tent-like, and unremarkable. They are also no worse than their Lands End counterparts, for instance, and they are affordable for an experiment.

I bought my normal neck size and immediately ran into problems because the tie I chose was too thick. When I closed the tab the tie bulged. I looked like I had just finished my last meal before execution, and had overdone it.

The problem went away with a less substantial tie.

Overall I kind of liked it. I have a round face (some might say a fat one), and the contrast with the narrow line of the collar seemed to ease the strain a little bit.

So if you want to take a stab at it for around $30, maybe this is the way to go. What's the worst thing that could happen? You could probably swap it back for a buttondown. Their pinpoint buttondowns aren't half bad, come to that.

Yes.  Good feedback.  I did notice that ALL of the shirts on the site were described as slim fit.  I could maybe swing it though, being very twig like.

Tom, I also expected the collar to be softer. But it is not really stiff, either. There wasn't a real occasion for me to actually wear and wash it.

WM, I would say it is safe to say you shouldn't have issues with it. It is not skinny, but really, really slim. Unlike the slim BB, which still are a bit roomy.

I bought one which was on sale, which makes it a very decent shirt for the price.

Thanks for the advice.  Considering it's a tab collar it necessitates a tie, and I'd most likely be wearing the shirt under a jacket, so it could definitely work.

I've seen the Stones sport that look, usually under crewneck shetlands.

Last edited by Oliver (2014-02-14 15:09:12)

You menacing looking ruffian!