OF COLLARS AND CUFFS

The basic and common attire  with the most conspicuous presence for the males is the shirt  and for the men with taste, the crisp and well shaped  collars and the cuffs run the show. Hard ready-made collars came on the scene much later. Earlier  collars used to come with a thin fold or filling of the same cloth, the extra layer providing the required thickness. The collars were not crisp or stiff. Starch was applied to White shirts at the time of washing which would make the collars look crisp, especially if one was to sport a tie. Even as a school student, I used to soak the shirt collar in 'peechh' kept aside after boiling rice and afterwards, the shirt was ironed. That was my way of improvisation.
These days, there is no need for such improvisation, as even the cheapest shirts come with ready-made collars and even the shirts got stitched by tailor has readymade collar with buckram and plastic strips tucked inside. The cuffs are also made with care which adds value to the shirt. The collars come in different shapes, like the usual tie collar with drooping corners and the cut away collar with the corners drifting away.The market has the variety to pander to every taste and liking.