Just Say No: The Men's Buttoned Collar

The Professional could go on for days about the many ways to rock the men's collared shirt. Fly "pop" it, bow-tie it, rock it open, or by all means...please suit it up and get your sexy-ass grown man on. The Professional is a sucker for the grown man look. For sure.

What you don't do, however, is get caught wearing the buttoned collar. What are you, a Republican? Are you going camping? Leading the Cub Scout meeting tonight? If so, by all means, grab your pass and do your thing. But if not--if you live in an urban area...if you have any ounce of fresh in you--Just Say No to the buttoned collar.

To take it a level further, what you never, ever (evva-evva) do EVER IN YOUR LIFE, is partner a buttoned collar with a tie. Don't. Do it. Do. Not. Do. It. The Professional regretfully must issue a citation to the Washington Post analyst whom she watched pontificate over the election of Barack Obama on CNN last night. He appeared on national television wearing a buttoned collar and tie. We must do better people! Absolutely NOT ACCEPTABLE.

What is the point of the buttoned collar? Originally, they were meant to keep a gentleman's collar in place during Polo matches. So unless you're swingin' the sticks, or participating in the aforementioned activities, you MUST forego the buttoned collar. This is not open to negotiation.

Advance your fresh! Gentlemen, invest in some great chrome, silver, or brass collar stays to keep that colllar in place. If that's too advanced for you, even the plastic collar stays will work perfectly fine. Using the button as a means to keep your collar in place is akin to using velcro to keep your shoes on. Rudementary. Elementary. Not okay.

The Professional considers this topic duly covered, and not open to discussion. Please do not get caught in the buttoned collar. Period.