Over the past few months, a new trend has been sweeping the streets: more and more men's Mao collar shirts. Some have adopted it straight away. For others, however, the mao collar remains a sartorial mystery. But don't panic! LE CHEMISEUR®, the men's shirt specialist, has put together the perfect guide to make the Mao collar shirt your new ally.

Men's Mao collar shirt: a history from Asia

Formerly known as the mandarin collar, the mao collar differs from other shirt collars in that it has no flaps. Instead? A simple collar stand, for which it's famous. To discover the origins of the mao collar, we need to go back to the 20th century, to the time of the king's courtesans. They wore the qipao, a traditional Chinese dress cut from a single piece of fabric and adorned with a split collar, the predecessor of the Mao collar. It was Mao Zedong who popularized the Mao collar in the '50s, appearing in public only with this type of shirt. Simplicity is the keyword that characterizes this collar. Minimalist and sophisticated, the mao collar shirt has been a staple of men's wardrobes for decades, providing the perfect accompaniment to any occasion.

Adopting the mao collar shirt for men

More original than a shirt with an Italian collar, the mao collar adds an exotic touch to sometimes too-smooth drapes. The advantage is that it adapts to all fabrics, so don't hesitate to juggle styles. Casual, the men's Mao collar shirt goes perfectly with a casual style: opt for a gray flannel shirt with trousers, raw denim jeans and white sneakers. For a more formal look, a suit jacket is de rigueur, while a pair of brown leather shoes enhances the drape. For a classic look, tuck a white collared shirt into a pair of raw denim jeans. As always, for a corporate silhouette, we prefer sober colors and neutral tones such as blue or white to respect professional dress codes.

Buttons play an important role, allowing you to adopt different looks according to your morphology and style. Buttoning them all the way up will give you a minimalist look, while leaving two buttons open may reveal a more casual side.

How to accessorize a shirt with a mao collar?

Choosing the right accessories for a shirt with a mao collar is no easy task. Ties and bow ties are out of the question for this type of shirt. To accentuate a chic drape, opt for classic leather shoes such as lace-up ankle boots or derbies. A tan leather bag can also add an elaborate touch to your overall look. If, on the other hand, you're in the mood for a preppy style, opt instead for warm materials like cotton or suede, which are easy to pair with moccasins or a braided waistband. In any case, stay away from patterns that could compromise your overall silhouette: nothing is too much! If you'd like to know more about the accessories to choose for your shirt style, check out our tips for accessorizing your shirt.

LE CHEMISEUR® advice

Men's collar shirts are 100% cotton, but there are also beautiful linen shirts, a favorite for weekends by the sea and lazy vacations, which also go perfectly with a men's collar shirt.