Neck is the collar measurement, taken close around the base of the neck, exactly where the shirt collar will sit. It is among the most important measurements in tailoring, because comfort at the collar changes the entire experience of wearing a shirt: a tight collar makes for an uncomfortable day, while a loose one loses its shape and looks careless.
What the neck measurement is, and what it gives you
When the tailor brings the tape around the base of your neck, he is fixing the number that decides four things:
- An exact fit: the collar sits close without being tight or slack, and feels easy in wear.
- Flattering proportion: a correctly sized collar brings the face into balance and harmonises the whole outfit.
- Genuine comfort: no constriction, no chafing, so you stay confident through a long day.
- Proper function: it allows the collar to fasten, the tie to be knotted, and different collar styles to work as intended.
Why the neck measurement matters so much
Among shirt measurements, the neck receives the least attention yet turns against you the fastest when it is wrong:
- A collar that is too tight is uncomfortable from the first moment — especially with the top button fastened for a tie.
- A loose collar loses its shape and looks unconsidered, leaving a visible gap between collar and tie.
- It bears directly on how you look and feel in meetings and introductions.
- It sets the foundation for everything else that fits around it: tie, bow tie and jacket lapel all anchor at the neck.
Six rules for an accurate neck measurement
- Close but not tight: the tape sits snugly around the neck, with room for one finger between tape and skin so the finished collar is comfortable in real wear.
- The correct position: measure just below the Adam's apple, exactly where the collar will sit — higher or lower gives a false figure.
- A straight posture: stand upright with the eyes level, so the reading is not distorted by tipping the head forward or back.
- Thin clothing only: measure over a thin shirt or directly on the skin; heavy fabric inflates the number.
- Measure twice and check: take the measurement at least twice and compare — half a centimetre at the neck is enough to change how a shirt feels.
- Add the allowance: add 0.5–1 cm depending on whether you prefer a close or an easy fit; this is the breathing room for a full working day.
Where the neck measurement shows
The neck measurement makes itself felt most clearly here:
- The shirt collar: where the measurement becomes collar size directly.
- Tying a tie: the knot only sits well when the collar fits — a loose collar lets the knot drop and slip sideways.
- Bow ties: the band follows the collar, and an error in the measurement shows as an off-centre bow at once.
- Jacket lapel and collar: the shirt collar should stand a little over a centimetre above the jacket collar — achievable only when both are correctly measured.
- Formal dress: where every detail at the neck is seen at close range.
What a correct neck measurement gives you
- A collar in true shape: standing well, sitting lightly around the neck, without rippling or gaping.
- A faultless tie knot: the knot sits where it should, balanced and easy to adjust.
- Comfort all day: no constriction, no chafing, so you feel confident and at ease.
- A flattered face: a neat collar frame brings out the lines of the face.
- Elevated style: a well-fitted collar is the mark of a considered man.
- Lasting durability: the collar holds its shape and distorts little after many washes.
A word from Mon Amie's artisans
At Mon Amie, the maker always measures the neck twice and asks about your habits: do you usually fasten the top button, how many days a week do you wear a tie, does your neck change with the seasons — because whether the allowance is 0.5 or 1 cm depends on those answers. Your measurements are kept for life in the Mon Amie system, so from the second shirt onward you need only choose the cloth. The finished collar is completed with natural horn buttons and meticulous stitching so it holds its shape over the years.
We invite you to book an appointment for a fitting at one of Mon Amie's five Ho Chi Minh City showrooms (Nguyen Trai, Ho Van Hue, 3/2 Street, Caravelle Hotel District 1, Nguyen Thi Thap) or call 0888.111.118. You may also look through the tailoring process to see how a first measuring session unfolds.