Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

You might just be wearing the wrong men’s dress shirt for your face shape

Here's how to use the shape of your face to determine the right dress shirt for you

By

There are no fewer than a dozen things for a man to consider when shopping. You have been dealing with most of them constantly, so you probably don’t think about them. Your height, weight, shoulder width, arm length, waist size, and inseam all change how garments fit. But what if we told you there was one element you likely have never thought of that will immediately change how everyone sees you?

There are countless types of dress shirts out there, and which one you buy depends on a few things, like your neck size, sleeve length, pattern, and color. However, you should also consider the shape of your face. The shirt you choose will either complement your face and make you instantly more attractive or exaggerate your face and be incredibly unflattering. Keep reading for our overview of the different collar shirts for men and how to find the one that flatters your face the most.

Idris Elba
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Dress shirt collar types

There are a lot of dress shirt collars to cover, but for now, we’ll go with the four most common you’ll run into when shopping. 

  1. Point collar. This is the most common collar on this side of the Atlantic. As a matter of fact, in England, it’s sometimes referred to as an American collar. There is a narrower distance between the two collar points and a smaller opening for the tie knot to rest. Because of this, the collar points reach lower on the upper chest. 
  2. Spread collar. There are a few variations to this collar; the spread can be small, wide, tall, short, and so on. The thing to remember is that it has a broader distance between the two collar points and a large opening for the tie knot, making it more appropriate for larger knots. 
  3. Button-down collar. The most casual of the four, this collar has a button at the point to fasten the points to the shirt. This shirt collar is best worn without a tie and with more casual sport coat outfits.  
  4. Cutaway collar. Technically, this collar is a form of the spread collar, but more extreme. In some cases, the points are spread so far apart that they create a straight line between them above the tie knot. If the point collar is the American collar, this one is the counterpart, as it carries a distinctly European feel.
Ryan Gosling
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Long, narrow face

If you have a long and narrow face, then the spread collar is right for you. If you wear a point collar, it will only lengthen your face and make it look even longer and skinnier. Avoid that effect by wearing a spread collar and using it to widen your face, giving you some balance. The button-down collar and cutaway are also appropriate for you because they don’t typically have long ends.

Leonardo DiCaprio
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Round face

For all of you gentlemen with round faces, your problem is exactly the opposite. You have a fuller face with a rounded jaw, which means you already look like you have enough width. Naturally, if you have the opposite problem from the long and narrow-faced guys, you have the opposite solution. Opt for the point collar to add some length to your face and counteract the facial roundness.

Tom Hiddleston
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Diamond shape

If you have a diamond-shaped face, meaning you have high, pronounced cheekbones and a pointed chin, then you want to stay away from men’s dress shirts with a point collar or the button-down collar style. These will lengthen and narrow the appearance of your jawline. The cutaway and spread collars will give your jawline some width and add some balance to your face.

David Beckham
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Oval face

If you have an oval face, congrats: There’s no collar that looks bad on you. If your face already has a natural balance, then you don’t have to worry about the collar you wear adding to or creating any imbalance. That said, the spread collar is best for the big, wide knots like the full windsor, and the point collar will work best with the smaller and more narrow knots, such as the half-windsor.

Recommended Videos

Two of these shirt collars can work for all face types in a pinch. The cutaway collar creates a straight line under the chin that goes along the shoulders and doesn’t add to or take away from the shape of your face. The button-down collar, if worn open, creates a V in the negative space beneath the shirt. However, if it’s worn open, it should be worn the same way as the point collar.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark McKee
Mark McKee
Contributor
Mark is a full-time freelance writer and men's coach. He spent time as a style consultant and bespoke suit salesman before…
The 13 best men’s watches you can buy under $1,000
Keep your wrist looking great with these watches
Torgoen T16

A man’s style reflects his inner self, who he wants to be, and where he sees himself in society. If there’s one item in a man’s wardrobe that says more about his hopes and aspirations, it’s his watch. With a quick swap, you can make an all-new statement, from all-business to wild and crazy to chic and sophisticated. Is this the day you stride to the driveway looking like the neighborhood’s most-followed style influencer? Maybe you’ll channel your inner Speed Racer tomorrow, even if it’s on the drive to the grocery store. Later in the week, you’ll save the planet by sorting the recycling and picking up some litter from the sidewalk.

What kind of man will you be today? To help you figure it out, we’ve selected some of today’s best men's watches, focusing on those that — for under $1,000 — represent a bit of an investment but won’t blow your clothing budget for the rest of 2024. Here they are, the best watches for men under $1,000

Read more
Signet rings for men: Up your accessory game with our top picks
The best men's signet rings to add to your wardrobe
Mejuri Black Onyx Square Signet Ring on model

In the modern era, where fashion trends often oscillate between the contemporary and the nostalgic, one accessory has consistently maintained its allure: the signet ring. Historically regarded as a symbol of lineage, authority, and social status, the signet ring has endured centuries of cultural evolution to emerge once again as a coveted emblem of prestige. From ancient civilizations to contemporary pop culture icons, the journey of men's signet rings reflects not only the evolution of fashion but also the enduring human desire for identity and connection.

King Charles III is one of the most famous people who rocked a gold signet ring engraved with the esteemed Prince of Wales crest and carries a rich legacy spanning over 175 years. Previously worn by his controversial uncle, the Duke of Windsor, it embodies a profound sense of familial heritage and tradition. The cherished heirloom has adorned the king's hand with quiet dignity since the 1970s and has seen some of his most pivotal moments play out, like his engagement to Princess Diana in 1981 and his wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005.
Signet rings: A history

Read more
Snapback hats are cool again: Why everyone is wearing this ’90s men’s fashion trend
These 90s staples are back in 2024
Man in Travis Mathew hat and Privé Revaux sunglasses

Snapback hats are some of the most versatile and fashionable accessories in a man's wardrobe. Unlike learning how to wear a fedora, the snapback is about as simple as it gets for a man. While they began as functional additions to a baseball uniform in the 1950s to keep the sun out of a player's eyes, they soon became a beacon in urban style.
The hi-hop boom of the 1990s and the adoption of some of the biggest names in rap and R&B gave men's snapback hats life in the fashion world. Now, in the wake of a renaissance for some of millennials' favorite fashion statements, the snapback is making its comeback all over again. Austin LaBoda, Director of Marketing at Hat Club, answered a few questions as to what sparked the return of the classic.
"The rise in snapbacks represents the next trend in headwear; the snapback today has evolved past the look of a traditional fitted aesthetic with a snap closure and is now providing hat enthusiasts with an alternative canvas to express their personality and unique fashion style. The upswing witnessed at Hat Club could be attributed to the rise in fitted hats, prompting a return to snapbacks as a distinctive style statement and a way for people to stand out."

Old is new again
Of course, fashion trends are cyclical. When a style dies out, it is almost inevitable that we will see it return. Those of you who were happy to see the bellbottoms go late in the 1970s were probably horrified to see them return briefly at the turn of the century. Right around the same time, we saw the low-rise jeans make stars out of pop music starlets until the mom jeans of the 1980s stormed back. Now, the rise continues to drop steadily. If you have been paying attention in the last few years, the denim jacket jumped right off of Bon Jovi's back in the days of the hair bands, only to land on a whole new generation of admirers.

Read more