Cadet collar

The cadet collar is an upright stand collar without folded points, familiar from 19th-century military and cadet uniforms. It hugs the neck closely and is usually fully closed with a button placket or hooks. Collar height ranges from 3 to 5 cm.

Structurally the cadet collar resembles the mandarin collar but differs in a tighter, often slightly upward-drawn band with a clear, hard edge. Metal or mother-of-pearl buttons are often placed on the front. Traditionally it is stiffened so it does not collapse.

Today the cadet collar is found mainly on the workwear of waiters, baristas, hotel staff and security personnel, as well as on fashion shirts and jackets. It lends the wearer an upright, disciplined silhouette and is a fine alternative when a classic turndown collar would be too formal.

In menswear the cadet collar is often used on sporty shirts without a tie or on Nehru-style jackets. Compared to the mandarin collar it appears somewhat stricter and more military, less fluid.