The right shirt collar size is your neck measurement at the base, where the collar sits, plus a comfort allowance of about 1–2 cm depending on the fabric and collar style. A shirt fits when the top button is closed and you can still slide two fingers between collar and neck. The tricky parts are measuring correctly, converting between centimetres and inches, and handling a whole team.
How to measure your neck at home
You need a soft tape and a helper:
- Sit or stand upright with relaxed shoulders and your head facing forward.
- Wrap the tape around the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple, where a shirt collar rests.
- Keep the tape touching the skin without pressing; slide one finger underneath so you do not measure too tight.
- Read in centimetres and round up to the next half centimetre.
- Add 1–2 cm depending on cloth: rigid fabric or a stiffly interlined collar needs close to 2 cm; a soft cloth with a light interlining may need only 1 cm.
A second method is to measure a shirt that already fits: lay the collar flat and measure from the centre of the button to the far end of the opposite buttonhole.
Example: a neck of 38 cm in a cotton-polyester shirt usually means a collar size of 39–40 cm.
Centimetre to inch chart
Men's shirts often list collar size in inches, including half sizes. These values are approximate:
| Collar (cm) | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collar (inch) | 15 | 15½ | 15¾ | 16 | 16½ | 17 |
When two sizes are close, go larger for a cloth with little stretch and smaller for a cloth that stretches well.
Signs the collar is too tight or too loose
- Too tight: the top button chokes, leaves a red mark after a shift, and the collar rides up when you lower your head.
- Too loose: there is a gap between collar and neck, the collar sags without a tie, and the button shifts sideways when you turn.
- Right: the collar sits close without pressing, two fingers slide in and the button stays centred.
Mon Amie Uniform has worked with Nhựa Đạt Hòa.
How collar style changes the fit
- Classic spread collar: the most common office style, buttoned to the top when worn with a tie, so size accuracy matters most.
- Band (mandarin) collar: no fold-down, so it stands against the neck and needs slightly more allowance.
- Button-down collar: the points button to the shirt body, which looks more relaxed; the collar size only needs to fit the neck.
- Open collar (no tie): if the top button is usually left open, a slightly easier fit looks more natural.
If the shirt will be worn with a tie, try it with the tie knotted, because a tie makes the collar feel tighter. You can browse specific collars in our design library.
Shrinkage and weight changes
Cotton can shrink in its first washes, so a shirt that fits snugly on delivery may feel tight months later. Wash a sample before settling on the final size, or choose a polyester blend that shrinks less. Weight changes also move the neck measurement, so remeasure after a significant gain or loss.
Women's shirts are usually graded by bust and waist more than neck circumference, so in women's uniforms the collar is typically adjusted to the overall block.
Ordering shirts for a whole team
For large orders, lettered sizes (S, M, L) tend to miss at the collar. Mon Amie measures each employee at your office and stores the figures under employee IDs, so later orders do not repeat measuring for people already measured; new hires are measured individually and made to the approved sample. This is step 4 of the six-step process, after your company signs off the sample in step 3. At delivery, staff try the shirts and we adjust on the spot, with free alterations for 3 years at every showroom.
Men's shirts start from 600,000 VND and women's from 480,000 VND, minimum 20 pieces; real prices depend on fabric, style and quantity. Allow 4–6 weeks after sample approval. You can request a quotation on our quote page or call 0888.111.118 (same number on Zalo).
Frequently asked questions
My neck measures 38 cm. Which collar size should I choose?
Usually 39–40 cm (about 15½ to 15¾ inches), depending on fabric and collar style. Close the top button and slide in two fingers; if it feels easy, the size is right.
What are the effects of a collar that is too tight?
It is uncomfortable, leaves red marks and makes the collar ride up when you lower your head, so the shirt looks untidy. For a full working day, choose a slightly easy fit rather than a close one.
Should I remeasure after losing weight?
Yes, after any significant change. With Mon Amie uniforms, the free alteration warranty for 3 years at every showroom lets you adjust when your build changes.
Do women's uniform shirts need a collar size?
Not separately, as a rule. Women's shirts are usually graded by bust and waist more than neck circumference, so in uniforms the collar is typically adjusted to the overall block. When Mon Amie measures each person at your office, the figures needed for the chosen items are recorded under the employee ID.