The Best Collar Stays
Nothing will ruin a professional look faster than a wrinkled or unruly collar. We’ve all been there. You get showered, styled, dressed, and pull out your favorite shirt only to realize that the collar is a mess. Sure, you can try ironing it, but sometimes it still won’t cooperate. When you least expect it, this tragedy can strike and derail your whole day. So what do you do? Well, allow us to introduce you to the collar stay. A collar stay can help troublesome collars stay down and in place. They weigh down and straighten the collar to help it return to its natural look. And don’t worry, we’ve gone through and selected the best ones to help you get back to looking presentable for any occasion. So without further ado, here are our top picks for the best collar stays on the market.
Wurkin Stiffs Stiff-N-Stays Plastic Magnetic Collar Stays
Absolutely magnetizing
These collar stays are the modern traveling businessman’s dream. In addition to providing solid support for limp collars with the ease of magnetic pieces to keep everything in place, this set also comes in a convenient travel case. Even though they’re made of plastic and not primarily metal, these stays are durable and built to be long-lasting.
These plastic stays are also made with small amounts of airport-safe stainless steel, and they won’t set off any security alarms or pesky metal detectors. In our humble opinion, they’re essential for any business professional who needs to travel quickly and without a hitch.
Pros:
- Magnetic pieces allow for extra hold
- Easy to use and install
- Won’t set off metal detectors
- Set comes with a case
Cons:
- Only includes two sizes
Moulet Metal Collar Stays Box (56-Piece)
Heavy metal
If you need more than a few stays for your closet of dress shirts, this bulk buy ensures you have a collar stay for every occasion. The pack comes with 56 metal collar stays, all of which are rounded at the end to make sure your shirts don’t end up with worn-down holes in the collar.
This pack includes four different sizes, so even if your collars vary in style or size, you can be confident that you have what you need to look put-together and professional. Plus, you won’t have to worry if one falls out or gets lost at work because there are dozens more where that one came from.
Pros:
- Stainless steel construction
- Come in a convenient case
- Great price for buying in bulk
- Includes four different sizes
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with magnets
Stiff Collar Stay The Original Collar Shaper
Support your collar
If you need more than just your standard collar support, the adjustable collar shaper may be your weapon of choice. Unlike other options, this accessory wraps around the entire collar for increased support. It’s made of flexible metal, so it’s not too rigid or too flimsy. You can also use it on dress, casual, and polo shirts without making any alterations.
The collar shaper comes in over 20 different sizes, so it’s important to know your neck measurements before ordering. Once you get the right fit, it’s easy to just slip it under the collar and go. It’s height-adjustable, too, so you can make sure you’re getting the best fit for each shirt you plan to use it with. If you’re serious about stiffening up your shirts, start here.
Pros:
- More complete collar support
- Good price
- Easily adjustable
- Metal construction
Cons:
- Could be uncomfortable
- People might be able to see it underneath your collar
Quality Stays Metal Collar Stays Box (44-Piece)
The more the merrier
You shouldn’t have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks, and Quality Stays proves that style doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. This box contains 44 metal collar stays in a convenient case that’s divided by sizes. Speaking of sizes, this package includes four different measurements to fit various collars.
The stainless steel construction won’t rust, bend, or break, so the low price doesn’t equal low quality. Normally, getting close to 50 collar stays would cost twice as much, but this pack makes it inexpensive to look professional and polished.
Pros:
- Low price
- Comes in a large quantity
- Convenient box packaging
Cons:
- Non-magnetic
Wurkin Stiffs Power Stays Leather Travel Set
The finer things
If you’re someone who enjoys indulging in luxurious amenities and you’re looking for a more permanent solution to your collar troubles, consider this leather travel set from Wurkin Stiffs. It includes three sizes of magnetic collar stays and comes in a quality leather case that folds into the size of a wallet.
Sure, the price tag is a bit steep, but these collar stays are just about as tough as you can get. The stainless steel stays are corrosion-resistant and built to last. The build quality of this product may be overkill, but if you’ve got the money, it’s a great way to travel in style.
Pros:
- High-quality leather case
- Solid stainless steel construction
- Strong magnets
Cons:
- High price tag
- Doesn’t come with many extra replacements
Frequently Asked Questions
Are collar stays easy to install?
In most cases, yes. Some stays are magnetic and some aren’t, but both are simple to install on typical formal shirts. Most dress shirts come with collar stays in them already. These factory stays are meant to be temporary, and they’re usually flimsy. Replacement collar stays are made of metal or durable plastic, and they slide right into where the old stays came out.
On most dress shirts, there are areas underneath the collar with openings for stays to be inserted. Not all shirts have this, and if they don’t, then you may need to have some alterations done. Be sure to inspect your shirt before you determine which collar stay is right for you.
Does a collar stay work better than ironing a shirt collar?
Collar stays are not meant to replace ironing a shirt collar — they’re merely meant to reinforce curly or weak collars. Many people iron their shirts and collars first before inserting collar stays. Otherwise, their collar would be straight but wrinkled. In some cases, once ironed, the collar will stick out in an odd way or start to curl at the ends. This is not a very good look, and so collar stays help to keep the collar straight and professional looking at all times. To get the most noticeable results, it’s best to iron the shirt and collar. Then, you can add a collar stay for added support.
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