Hi, lovelies! A new (beautiful + sunny!) day, a new Ask Emmaline question. You guys are sending us so many great questions — keep ’em coming! :) This email is from Rochelle who wants to know about metal collar stays vs. plastic for her groom. She asks,

“Hi Emmaline, does the groom need to wear collar stays? If so, which is better… collar stays made of metal or plastic? I’m new to all of this stuff. Thanks!”

Hey, Rochelle, great question! And hey, I was never an expert in menswear until doing lots of research on it, and you’re not expected to know this stuff! These are a unique accessory for men that they wear but are invisible — you won’t see them. That’s because collar stays are used to provide a straight, upright collar and are placed underneath it.

Here are some other frequently asked questions about these accessories, why they’re used, and where to buy sets of them for your wedding or special event.

When Do You Use Collar Stays?

They are used whenever you wear formalwear/dress shirts.

Is a Collar Stay Necessary?

Yes! They’re a must-have for formal weddings to keep your collar upright.

Are Metal Collar Stays Worth It?

Yes: metal lasts longer and works better than plastic. Many dress shirts come with plastic inserts, but for a wedding, a set of metal collar stays make a great gift.

Can You Get Personalized Collar Stays?

Yes — you can get them personalized with anything you’d like. Include a special message, favorite location, quote, lyric, wedding date — as long as it fits, you can get it stamped onto them.

Where to Buy Metal Collar Stays?

You can buy metal stays from NickLaskin. These are the best collar stays Etsy has to offer (in our opinion, since they’re made with high-quality materials and the stamping is clear, easy-to-read, totally custom, and there are fantastic reviews). Nici specializes in quality collar stays in her unique collection.

Here are a few examples of metal collar stays to inspire you. And of course, these are handmade (yay for shopping small!) by NiciLaskin and they’re amazing! Take a look!

These love you stays are simple + sweet.

“Forever thine, forever mine”. :)

These stays read, “I love you forever”.

These “I Love You To The Moon And Back” stays are a popular gift for the groom.

Include a special location you share together: where you met, where you live, where your proposal took place, etc. with latitude and longitude coordinates collar stays.

If you were selecting a custom pair, what would yours say? I think it would be fun to have a set that says, “Love You More” on one and “The End, I Win” just for fun. :)

Collar Stays for Fathers

If you are looking for a Father of the Bride or Father of the Groom gift, here are some perfect options.

Want to buy personalized collar stays? Want to ask questions or request bulk orders for the groom or groomsmen? CLICK HERE to shop now! Nici Laskin is a Featured Artist at Emmaline Bride + awesome to work with!

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma