The button-down collar was developed to keep the collar of a polo player from flapping in the wind and evolved into the ubiquitous workshirt of the Ivy League student and the junior excutive of the 1950's.  Unfortunately these collars do not flatter any man's neck or face, and on many, when worn with a tie look downright terrible.

So for years our mantra has been that it is okay to wear a button-down sans tie, but when dressing with a tie, a spread collar (traditional or otherwise) is vastly preferable.  The shirt collar frames the face, and everyone looks better with simple, clean lines there.  Many button-down collars when buttoned to the top, exhibit an unsightly rolling or wrinkling at the neck that leads the eye upward to the face of the wearer.  Enough said.

Nowadays,a shirt may often be required to serve double duty, being worn with a tie part of the day, and part without, so what is the answer?  In the past we've designed the hidden button-down, on which the button is underneath the collar and is secured with either a loop or an extra triangle of fabric on the collar's underside.  While this works, it can be tedious and pressing by an overzealous dry-cleaner can leave an ugly imprint of the button.

Enter Jonathan Boos, a creative acquaintance who has invented a simple solution we are proud to offer you:  Wurkin Stiffs Magnetic Collar Stays have revolutionized the shirt wardrobes of many of our clients.  You can now wear our perfectly proportioned spread collars casually as you wish!  See the photos below for a visual explanation and when we visit, ask us for a real demonstration.