Shirt collar locking system and apparatus

A shirt collar locking system for locking a shirt collar in an upright position adapted for use with a stick-shaped collar stay having a first end and an opposing second end, the system comprising a shirt collar attached to a collar stand at an upper portion of the collar stand, an inner side of the shirt collar facing an outer side of the collar stand when the shirt collar is in a folded down position relative to the collar stand, wherein: the shirt collar includes a shirt collar stay pocket formed on the inner side of the shirt collar and configured to receive the first end of the collar stay, the collar stand includes a collar stand receiving portion formed on the outer side of the collar stand and configured to receive the opposing second end of the collar stay so as to lock the shirt collar to the collar stand, and when the shirt collar is in a folded down position relative to the collar stand, a first end of the shirt collar stay pocket adapted for insertion of the first end of the collar stay is aligned with and proximate to a first end of the collar stand receiving portion adapted for insertion of the second end of the collar stay.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a shirt with a collar and, in particular, to a shirt collar locking system and apparatus.

A button-down shirt generally includes a collar that wraps around the circumference of an individual's neck. The portion of the shirt that contacts the individual's neck and connects a body of the shirt to the collar is referred to as a collar stand. Without the use of a neck tie or the top button being fastened, collars on dress and casual shirts tend to collapse away from the collar stand causing the ends of the collar to spread apart, fall away from the neck, and look untidy. A freshly starched collar will remain neatly positioned on the individual's neck, however, after prolonged use, the collar loses stiffness, curls up, and spreads apart.

FIG. 1shows a front view of a conventional button-down shirt10. The shirt10includes a shirt collar15, a collar stand20that connects the shirt collar to a body of the shirt, sleeves25and buttons30.FIG. 2shows a perspective view of an illustrative conventional stick-shaped collar stay35used for keeping the shirt collar15straight. The collar stay35includes a first end40and a second end45. The first end40is generally pointed in shape, to match the shape of a pointed tip of the shirt collar. The second end45is generally rounded in shape. In order to keep the collar from bending or losing a straight and tidy appearance, the individual can insert the collar stay35into a pocket disposed on an inner side of the shirt collar15. The collar stay35, when inserted into the pocket, does not contact any other component of the shirt10.

In order to help the shirt collar maintain a tidy appearance, various technologies have been employed. Buttons placed in appropriate places on the body of the shirt have been used to fasten to the points of the shirt collar in order to keep the collar at a fixed position relative to the body of the shirt. Even with such buttons, however, the shirt collar may still fall away from the collar stand and bow out. Also, buttons are visible when viewing the front of the shirt, potentially resulting in an undesired style or undesired aesthetic appearance.

Snaps and/or buttons may be placed behind the collar that are not visible when viewed from the front of the shirt. However, the snaps and/or buttons are also placed at the point of the collar resulting bowing out of the collar. In addition, because the snaps are not flat and are permanently attached to the collar and the shirt body, and ironing the shirt and the collar over the snaps is difficult and can leave unsightly bumps and/or indentations in the fabric.

Sewing the top of the collar to the collar stand provides a permanent solution, but does not allow for a tie to be worn with the shirt because it cannot be threaded under the collar.

Magnets may be placed inside the shirt and on the collar causing the collar and the shirt to stick together. However, the magnets tend to fall off and get lost since they are not a permanent part of the shirt.

Finally double sided adhesive material purchased separately from the shirt may be placed between the collar stand and the underside of the collar, sticking the two parts of the shirt together. The adhesive material is not a permanent part of the shirt and only lasts a couple of uses until it has to be discarded. In addition, when the material is taken off the shirt, some of the adhesive may remain on the shirt, thus, causing damage to the fabric of the shirt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a shirt collar locking system and apparatus that maintains an upright position of a shirt collar while being invisible when viewed from the front of a shirt.

It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a shirt collar locking system and apparatus that is permanently integrated into a shirt, can be used with a conventional collar stay and does not impede ironing of the shirt or restrict an individual from wearing a tie.

The above and other objectives of the invention are achieved by a shirt collar locking system for locking a shirt collar in an upright position adapted for use with a stick-shaped collar stay having a first end and an opposing second end. The system comprises a shirt collar attached to a collar stand at an upper portion of the collar stand, an inner side of the shirt collar facing an outer side of the collar stand when the shirt collar is in a folded down position relative to the collar stand, wherein the shirt collar includes a shirt collar stay pocket formed on the inner side of the shirt collar and configured to receive the first end of the collar stay, the collar stand includes a collar stand receiving portion formed on the outer side of the collar stand and configured to receive the opposing second end of the collar stay so as to lock the shirt collar to the collar stand, and when the shirt collar is in a folded down position relative to the collar stand, a first end of the shirt collar stay pocket adapted for insertion of the first end of the collar stay is aligned with and proximate to a first end of the collar stand receiving portion adapted for insertion of the second end of the collar stay.

In the shirt collar locking system, the first end of the shirt collar stay pocket is disposed at a predetermined distance from an upper edge of the shirt collar attached to the upper portion of the collar stand, with the predetermined distance being equal to or greater than a distance between the upper portion of the collar stand and the first end of the collar stand receiving portion. In some embodiments, the predetermined distance is substantially mid-way between the upper edge of the shirt collar and an opposing lower edge of the shirt collar.

In some configurations of the locking system, a second end of the shirt collar stay pocket is disposed at a tip of the shirt collar. The shirt collar stay pocket may be separately formed from the shirt collar and attached to the inner side of the shirt collar. The collar stand receiving portion may be separately formed from the collar stand and attached to the outer side of the collar stand. In certain embodiments, the shirt collar comprises two or more layers of material, and the shirt collar stay pocket includes an opening formed at the inner side of the shirt collar and extending through at least one layer of material, the opening forming the first end of the shirt collar stay pocket.

In certain embodiments, the collar stand receiving portion is formed as an elongated pocket with the first end of the collar stand receiving portion formed at between a lower portion of the collar stand and the upper portion of the collar stand and the elongated pocket extending in a direction of the upper portion of the collar stand. In other embodiments, the collar stand receiving portion is formed as a loop on the outer side of the collar stand. In other embodiments, the first end of the collar stand receiving portion may be formed as a pocket or as a loop at any location between the lower portion and the upper portion of the collar stand, such as at a mid-way location between the lower portion and the upper portion of the collar stand. In yet another embodiment, the collar stand is formed from two or more layers of material and the collar stand receiving portion is formed as an opening at a lower portion of the collar stand or about midway between a lower portion and the upper portion of the collar stand and extending through at least an outermost layer of the collar stand.

When the first end of the collar stay is inserted into the shirt collar stay pocket and the second end of the collar stay is inserted into the collar stand receiving portion, the shirt collar stay pocket and the collar stand receiving portion are oriented to be substantially linearly aligned with respect to one another.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises the stick-shaped collar stay and the first end of the collar stay is inserted into the first end of the shirt collar stay pocket and permanently attached to the shirt collar, while the second end of the collar stay is configured to be removably inserted into the first end of the collar stand receiving portion.

A method of manufacturing a shirt including a collar stand and a shirt collar attached to the collar stand and further including a shirt collar locking system for locking the shirt collar in an upright position adapted for use with a stick-shaped collar stay having a first end and an opposing second end, is also disclosed. The method comprises providing a collar stand and a shirt collar, attaching the shirt collar to the collar stand at an upper portion of the collar stand, an inner side of the shirt collar facing an outer side of the collar stand when the shirt collar is in a folded down position relative to the collar stand, forming the shirt locking system by providing a shirt collar stay pocket on the inner side of the shirt collar and providing a collar stand receiving portion on the outer side of the collar stand, wherein the shirt collar stay pocket is configured to receive the first end of the collar stay and the collar stand receiving portion is configured to receive the opposing second end of the collar stay so as to lock the shirt collar to the collar stand, and wherein when the shirt collar is in a folded down position relative to the collar stand, a first end of the shirt collar stay pocket adapted for insertion of the first end of the collar stay is aligned with and proximate to a first end of the collar stand receiving portion adapted for insertion of the second end of the collar stay.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As stated above, without the use of a neck tie or the top button being fastened, collars on dress and casual shirts tend to collapse away from the collar stand causing the collar to spread open, fall away from the neck, and look untidy. While collar stays may be used to keep a collar straight, collar stays do not keep the shirt collar upright.

According to the shirt collar locking system and apparatus described in more detail below, by shortening a collar stay pocket on the shirt collar, providing a receiving portion on the collar stand, and simultaneously inserting a single stick-shaped collar stay into both the shirt collar and the collar stand, the shirt collar is coupled to the collar stand preventing the collapse and spread of the shirt collar away from the collar stand. The shirt collar locking apparatus is built into the shirt such that the shirt collar locking apparatus is not visible and allows for the shirt to be worn with or without a tie. The collar stays used in the shirt collar locking system and apparatus are removable so that the shirt collar and the collar stand can be ironed flat. When the collar stay is inserted into the shirt collar and the collar stand, the collar stay keeps the shirt collar stiff, straight, and upright. The shirt collar is coupled to the collar stand using the collar stay near a midpoint of the shirt collar, and thus, the shirt collar remains upright and does not bow out.

FIG. 3shows a front view of a first embodiment of the shirt collar locking apparatus and system100configured to receive a stick-shaped collar stay35and lock a shirt collar to a collar stand so as to keep the shirt collar upright without the use of a tie. The collar stay35includes a first end40and a second end45, as illustrated inFIG. 2. The shirt collar locking apparatus100includes a shirt collar200, which has an outer side210and an inner side220. InFIG. 3, the shirt collar200is shown as being half folded up and half folded down, so as to show both the outer side210and the inner side220.

The shirt collar200includes an upper portion235extending from a first upper end240along an upper intermediate edge portion245to a second upper end250. The shirt collar200also includes a lower portion255extending from a first lower end260along a lower intermediate edge portion265to a second lower end270. The shirt collar200includes a first side portion275extending from first lower end260of the lower portion255to the first upper end240of the upper portion235so as to form a pointed tip277of the collar. The shirt collar200includes a second side portion280extending from the second lower end270of the lower portion255to the second upper end250of the upper portion235to form a second pointed tip282of the collar.

A collar stand300is coupled to the shirt collar200at the upper portion235of the shirt collar. The collar stand300includes an inner surface320and an outer surface330opposing the inner surface320. The inner surface320of the collar stand310faces the individual's neck when the individual wears the shirt10. The outer surface330faces the inner side220of the shirt collar200when the shirt collar200is in the folded down position. An upper, lengthwise edge335of the collar stand300is coupled to the shirt collar200along the upper portion235from the first upper end240to the second upper end250of the shirt collar, while an opposing, lower edge340of the collar stand300is coupled to the shirt10from a first bottom edge end350along an intermediate bottom edge360to a second bottom edge end370. The collar stand300may be attached to the shirt10by, for example, stitching or any other suitable means. In some embodiments, the collar stand300and the shirt110may be formed from one continuous piece of fabric, with the shirt collar200separately attached to the collar stand300along the upper portion235. In other embodiments, the shirt collar200, the collar stand300, and the shirt10may be formed from one continuous piece of fabric.

As shown inFIG. 3, a shirt collar stay pocket230, configured to receive the first end40of the collar stay35is provided on the inner side220of the shirt collar200. The shirt collar stay pocket230has an elongated shape configured to retain the first end40of the collar stay35in place. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 3, the shirt collar stay pocket230is formed by a through opening in one or more layers of material of the shirt collar200, wherein the one or more layers of material do not include at least the outermost layer of the shirt collar forming the outer side210thereof. In this way, the inner side220of the shirt collar200includes a slit opening at one end234of the shirt collar stay pocket230for inserting the first end40of the collar stay35, and the collar stay35is not visible from the outer side210of the shirt collar200. Stitching around the periphery of the shirt collar stay pocket230may be provided in order to guide and orient the first end40of the collar stay35in the direction of another end232of the shirt collar stay pocket230which is located at or near the pointed tip of the collar277. Alternatively, adhesive between certain layers of the shirt collar200may be used around the periphery of the shirt collar stay pocket230. In other embodiments, the shirt collar stay pocket230may be separately formed and attached to the surface of the inner side220of the shirt collar200using stitching, adhesive or other suitable methods.

In some embodiments, the collar stay may be inserted into the shirt collar stay pocket230and permanently attached to the shirt collar so that the collar stay would not be removable from the shirt collar stay pocket230. In such embodiments, the end of the collar stay may be sewn into the shirt collar stay pocket230, or attached by an adhesive to the collar or by any other suitable means of attachment. The other end of the collar stay which is not inserted into the shirt collar stay pocket230is exposed from the inner side of the shirt collar and can be inserted into the collar stand receiving portion310. This configuration allows the collar stay to remain inserted into the shirt collar so as to keep the shirt collar straight, while also allowing for flexibility of wearing the shirt with a tie or without a tie. When the shirt is worn with a tie, the other end of the collar stay is not inserted into the collar stand receiving portion. However, when the shirt is worn without a tie, the wearer has the option of inserting the other end of the collar stay into the collar stand receiving portion so as to keep the shirt collar locked and upright.

As shown inFIG. 3, the shirt collar stay pocket230is configured so that the length of the elongated collar stay pocket is smaller than the length of the collar stay35. In this way, when the first end40of the collar stay is inserted into the shirt collar stay pocket230, the second end45of the collar stay is exposed and can be inserted into a collar stand receiving portion310described herein below. In the illustrative embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the length of the shirt collar stay pocket230is less than about ⅔ of the length of the collar stay35, and in some embodiments, about ½ of the length of the collar stay35. As shown, the shirt collar stay pocket230is formed at an angle with respect to the edge formed by the lower portion255of the shirt collar200, preferably at about a 45 degree angle or smaller. Moreover, the shirt collar stay pocket230begins at a predetermined distance away from the upper portion235of the shirt collar200so as to allow for insertion of the collar stay35into both the shirt collar stay pocket230and the collar stand receiving portion310. In the embodiment shown, the shirt collar stay pocket230begins at about mid-way between the upper portion235and the lower portion245of the shirt collar. However, the predetermined distance will vary depending on the configuration of the shirt collar and the height of the collar stand relative to the width of the shirt collar. In the configuration ofFIG. 3, the predetermined distance is equal to or greater than the height of the collar stand. In any case, the predetermined distance is equal to or greater than a distance between the upper portion of the collar stand and a first end of the collar stand receiving portion310adapted for receiving the second end45of the collar stay.

As shown, the collar stand receiving portion310is disposed on the outer surface330of the collar stand300and is configured to receive the second end45of the collar stay35. InFIG. 3, the collar stand receiving portion310is formed as a sleeve or a pocket with an opening310aat or near the bottom edge340of the collar stand. In this illustrative embodiment, the collar stand receiving portion310comprises an elongated sleeve or pocket that extends from one end314that includes the opening310aat or near the bottom edge340of the collar stand to an opposing closed end312which is at or near an upper edge335of the collar stand300. The collar stand receiving portion310is positioned on the outer side of the collar stand300and oriented so that when the shirt collar200is folded down, the opening234of the shirt collar stay pocket230is aligned with and/or proximate to the opening310aof the collar stand receiving portion310without overlapping with the collar stand receiving portion310. In addition, when the shirt collar200is folded down, the collar stand receiving portion310and the shirt collar stay pocket230are oriented so as to be linearly aligned relative to one another. This configuration allows for the linear or substantially linear collar stay35to be inserted into both the shirt collar stay pocket230and into the collar stand receiving portion310. The relative proximity between the opening234of the shirt collar stay pocket230and the opening310aof the collar stand receiving portion310may be adjusted so that the collar stay35remains inserted into both the shirt collar stay pocket230and the collar stand receiving portion310without causing excess tugging or pulling on the shirt collar200or on the collar stand300and without being noticeable or visible from the outside.

As further described herein, the collar stand receiving portion310may be a embodied as a loop, as illustrated inFIGS. 5-6, or a through opening in one or more layers of fabric that form the collar stand300so as to form an internal pocket, as shown inFIGS. 7-8, or other similar configuration capable of retaining the second end of the collar stay35. The shirt collar stay pocket230and/or the collar stand receiving portion310may be constructed of cotton fabric, fabric blend, plastic, silicone or any other suitable material with sufficient flexibility to allow for insertion of the collar stay into both the shirt collar stay pocket230and the collar stand receiving portion310.

With the shirt collar stay pocket230and the collar stand receiving portion310, the shirt collar locking apparatus100is configured such that when the first end40of the collar stay35is inserted into the shirt collar stay pocket230and the second end45of the collar stay35is inserted into the collar stand receiving portion310, the shirt collar200is releasably coupled to the collar stand300via the collar stay35. Furthermore, the shirt collar locking apparatus100is configured such that the opening234in the shirt collar stay pocket230and the opening310ain the collar stand receiving portion310are aligned with each other and/or are proximate to one another, and so that the shirt collar stay pocket230and the collar stand receiving portion310are oriented to be substantially linearly aligned with respect to one another. Moreover, the shirt collar stay pocket230and the collar stand receiving portion310are oriented and aligned in such a way that when the first end40of the collar stay35is inserted into the shirt collar stay pocket230and the second end45of the collar stay40is inserted into the collar stand receiving portion310, the shirt collar200remains coupled to the collar stand300without being visible from the outside and without causing excess tugging, pulling or bending three on the shirt collar200or on the collar stand300. In this way, when the collar stay35is inserted into the shirt collar stay pocket230and into the collar stand receiving portion310, the shirt collar200remains straight and upright because the shirt collar200is retained against, and engaged with, the collar stand300.

FIG. 4shows an expanded front view of the shirt collar locking apparatus100with the collar stay35inserted into the shirt collar stay pocket230and the collar stand receiving portion310and with the shirt collar200in the folded down position. For purposes of demonstrating the shirt collar locking apparatus100, the collar stay35, the shirt collar stay pocket230and the collar stand receiving portion310are illustrated inFIG. 4. However, when implemented in a product, these elements are not visible when viewed from the outside.

As shown inFIG. 4, the shirt collar stay pocket230includes a first pocket end234that is open and a second pocket end232that is closed. The second pocket end232of the collar stay pocket230is located at or near the pointed tip of the collar277where the first side portion275and the first lower end260of the lower portion255meet. The first pocket end234of the collar stay pocket230may be disposed at a distance away from the first side portion275and at the predetermined distance away from the upper portion235of the shirt collar200. In the embodiment shown, the predetermined distance from the upper portion235of the shirt collar200is about mid-way between the upper portion235and the lower portion255of the shirt collar200. The predetermined distance may vary depending on the dimensions of the shirt collar200and of the collar stand300. As discussed above, the predetermined distance for the positioning of the first pocket end234of the shirt collar stay pocket230is preferably equal to or greater than a distance between the upper portion of the collar stand and a first end314of collar stand receiving portion310. That is, the first end234is positioned so that the shirt collar stay pocket230does not extend to overlap with the collar stand300when the shirt collar is in the folded down position. As discussed above, the shirt collar stay pocket230extends at an angle with respect to the lower portion255of the shirt collar200, which is preferably about 45 degrees or smaller. The length of the shirt collar stay pocket230between the first and second ends234,232is such that the collar stay35can be inserted into the shirt collar stay pocket230and remain inserted without falling out while also maintaining the shape of the shirt collar. Moreover, the length of the shirt collar stay pocket230is such that the collar stay35will remain inserted in the shirt collar stay pocket230, without additional retaining means, even if the other end of the collar stay is not inserted into the collar stand receiving portion310. This allows for versatility in wearing the shirt with or without a tie, so that when the wearer wishes to put on a tie, the wearer can remove the second end of the collar stay from the collar stand receiving portion310and put on a tie while also retaining the collar stay in the collar stay pocket230.

Although not shown, the other side of the shirt collar includes a similar shirt collar stay pocket for inserting another collar stay. In some embodiments the shirt collar may include multiple shirt collar stay pockets230having like configurations and disposed at various positions along the shirt collar200.

As shown inFIG. 4, the collar stand receiving portion310includes the first end314which is open and a second end312which is closed. The first end314is provided at or near the bottom edge340of the collar stand and the collar stand receiving portion310extends in a substantially linear direction to the opposing second end312which is provided at or near the upper edge335of the collar stand300near the upper portion235. The positioning of the first and second ends314,312relative to the bottom edge340and the upper edge335of the collar stand may vary depending on the height of the collar stand300, the length of the collar stay315and the desired alignment with the shirt collar stay pocket230.

Although not shown inFIG. 4, the other side of the shirt collar includes a similar collar stand receiving portion fir inserting another collar stay. In some embodiments, multiple collar stand receiving portions may be provided at various positions along the collar stand300and in corresponding alignment with corresponding multiple shirt collar stay pockets.

FIGS. 5 and 6shows an alternative embodiment of the shirt locking apparatus100in which the collar stand receiving portion310comprises a loop380provided in a predetermined position on the outer surface of the collar stand300. InFIG. 5, the shirt collar200is shown in the half folded up position for ease of illustration.FIG. 6shows an expanded front view of the shirt collar locking apparatus100with the collar stay35inserted into the shirt collar stay pocket230and through the loop380with the shirt collar200in the folded down position. InFIG. 6, the shirt collar stay pocket230, the loop380and the collar stay are shown for illustrative purposes and it is understood that these elements would not be visible from the outside in the actual product.

As shown, the loop380comprises a piece of material which is attached to the collar stand at a first end385and a second end390. The loop380may be made from any suitable material, including fabric, plastic, metal and the like. The first and second ends385,390of the loop380are attached to the outer surface330of the collar stand300by, for example, stitching, bonding using adhesives, a variety of fasteners, including snaps, posts, prongs, etc., or any other suitable attachment means, In this configuration, the second end45of the collar stay35is inserted through the loop380, between the first and second ends385,390, and rests on the outer surface330of the collar stand300. The positioning of the loop380relative to the upper and bottom edges of the collar stand may be varied. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, the loop380is provided near the bottom edge340of the collar stand. However, in other embodiments, the loop may be provided mid-way between the bottom edge340and the upper edge335of the collar stand300, or closer to the upper edge of the collar stand. Moreover, the positioning of the loop380along the length of the collar stand300is selected so that when the shirt collar200is in a folded down position, the loop380aligns with the opening end234of the shirt collar stay pocket230to allow for insertion of the collar stay into both the shirt collar stay pocket230and into the loop380.

FIGS. 7 and 8show another embodiment of the shirt locking apparatus100in which the collar stand receiving portion310is formed as a through opening or a partially through opening395within the collar stand300.FIG. 7shows the shirt collar200in the half folded up position, whileFIG. 8shows an expanded front view of the shirt collar locking apparatus100with the collar stay35inserted into the shirt collar stay pocket230and through the opening395with the shirt collar200in the folded down position. InFIG. 8, the shirt collar stay pocket230, the opening395and the collar stay300are shown for illustrative purposes and it is understood that these elements would not be visible from the outside in the actual product.

As shown, the opening395is formed in the outer surface330of the collar stand300and may be formed as a through opening that extends through all of the layers of material of the collar stand, or preferably, as a through opening that extends through some but not all of the layers of material of the collar stand300. In the configuration ofFIG. 7where the opening395extends through some but not all of the layers of the collar stand300, the second end45of the collar stay35may be inserted into the opening395so as to rest between the inner surface320and the outer surface330of the collar stand300.

Although not shown, internal stitching or internal adhesive or bonding may be provided within the collar stand to define the outline of the collar stand receiving portion310, including the second, opposing, closed end of the collar stand receiving portion. In this way, the collar stay will be guided through the opening395and into the limited area of the collar stand receiving portion310. Alternatively, no additional stitching or bonding is provided so that the collar stay inserted into the opening395is not limited in the way that it can be angled or shifted within the collar stand300.

A method of using the shirt collar locking apparatus and system100is also provided. The method includes providing the shirt collar locking apparatus and system100, as described above. The method further includes inserting the first end40of the collar stay35into the shirt collar stay pocket230to the first shirt collar stay pocket end232and inserting the second end45of the collar stay35into the collar stand receiving portion310so as to couple the shirt collar200with the collar stand300.

The present invention also involves a method of manufacturing a shirt that includes a collar stand and a shirt collar attached to the collar stand and also includes the shirt collar locking system and apparatus shown inFIGS. 3-8. The method includes the steps of providing a collar stand and a shirt collar and attaching the shirt collar to the collar stand at an upper portion of the collar stand, so that the inner side of the shirt collar faces an outer side of the collar stand when the shirt collar is in a folded down position relative to the collar stand. The method further includes a step of forming the shirt locking system by providing a shirt collar stay pocket on the inner side of the shirt collar and providing a collar stand receiving portion on the outer side of the collar stand. The configurations of the shirt collar stay pocket and of the collar stand receiving portion are as described above with respect toFIGS. 3-8. The method of manufacturing also includes providing or forming a shirt body, which is attached to the bottom edge of the collar stand using conventional techniques.

The above-described system and methods allow for the shirt collar to be attached to and locked relative to the collar stand using a conventional collar stay, which has a substantially planar stick-like shape. Since the system and methods of the invention do not require use of any other elements or locking mechanisms, the shirt collar can be locked relative to the collar stand using only the conventional stick-shaped collar stay inserted into the locking apparatus, without using any additional devices, such as shaping devices or further attachment mechanisms. Moreover, by attaching the shirt collar to the collar stand, instead of the body of the shirt, a neater appearance can be achieved where the shirt collar does not tug or pull on the body of the shirt due to the attachment and movement of the wearer. Moreover, attachment of the shirt collar to the collar stand can reduce the risk of visible damage to the body of the shirt because the collar stand typically includes multiple layers of material. Furthermore, the configuration and positioning of the shirt collar stay pocket and the collar stand receiving portion relative to one another provide for a simple configuration of the locking mechanism that can be used with conventional stick-shaped collar stays and does not require specially made collar stays. The positioning and orientation of the shirt collar stay pocket230and the collar stand receiving portion310also allow for insertion of the collar stay only into the shirt collar stay pocket without also inserting the collar stay into the collar stand receiving portion so that the collar stay can be retained in the shirt collar stay pocket and to allow versatility of wearing the shirt with or without a tie.

In all cases it is understood that the above-described arrangements are merely illustrative of the many possible specific embodiments which represent applications of the present invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with the principles of the present invention without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.