How to recognise it
Just a standing band, 2–4 cm tall, with no fold. At the front the ends are rounded and either do not meet or fasten with a button.
Where it comes from
The name comes from the dress of Qing dynasty officials (mandarins) in China. In India a similar collar is called the Nehru collar, after Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Who and when it suits
Clean and minimal, it appears on shirts, blouses and light jackets. It looks modern and suits both the office and the evening.
Variations and look-alikes
It comes low or taller, buttoned at the front or open, on shirts, blouses, jackets and dresses. The Nehru jacket with a band collar is an Indian classic. It differs from a turtleneck in being woven and low.
How to style it
- Jewellery: earrings rather than a necklace.
- Works under a blazer instead of a classic shirt.
- Short neck: choose a lower band.
- Linen band-collar shirts for summer.
Similar styles
Frequently asked
01How is a mandarin collar different from a shirt collar?
A mandarin collar has no turned-down fall with points.
02What is a Nehru collar?
The Indian version: a band collar on a jacket, named after Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
03Is a mandarin collar office-appropriate?
Yes, it looks neat and modern.
04Which band-collar shirts suit summer?
Linen or cotton, loosely cut, with rolled sleeves.