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  1. BruSwain

    Starching Detachable Collars

    I just checked pounds to dollars and I was off by about ten bucks, so it came to around $75, which included return shipping. It ran about $17 to mail the collars from the U.S. to the U.K. This venture wasn't necessarily cheap but I don't think unreasonable, especially considering I'll get a lot...
  2. BruSwain

    Starching Detachable Collars

    Recently found on eBay nine vintage Slidewell collars, new old stock, "Newmarket" model. Since never used they were in great condition but as is typical with these had some yellowing due to age. I sent them to Barker's (Bournemouth, U.K) after some email correspondence with them suggesting their...
  3. BruSwain

    Thread to display you collarless/tunic/Grandad shirts

    I've had a few vintage shirts over the years but this one has always taken top honors. Got it on eBay long ago and have worn it but a few times fearing even washing it by hand might cause some deterioration. It's in remarkable shape for a garment that's a century or so old. The pleated bosom is...
  4. BruSwain

    Starching Detachable Collars

    Try putting a thin cloth (e.g., flour sack towel) over the collar when ironing at high heat setting. No promises, but it should help.
  5. BruSwain

    Cuff Links and Button Down Collars

    You might say I'm of two minds on this matter. I do think french cuffs with a buttondown collar is pushing it a bit, the two don't seem made for each other. OTOH I've seen vintage ads for Arrow collars with buttons on them, one suggesting it's a good model for, say, playing tennis. Most (if not...
  7. BruSwain

    Paper detachable collars?

    God bless Amazon Dry Goods but last time I ordered some collars from them (in 2014) what I received was stock that had been sitting around a bit too long and had yellowed somewhat. Anyone please correct me but I think I recall seeing (maybe a year ago) that ADG was either going out of business...
  8. BruSwain

    Removing cigarette smoke smell on ties (or other clothes)

    I've not tested this on ties but if you'd prefer to avoid any kind of laundering, this may work: put a box of baking soda open at the top in a plastic bag with your ties, tie the bag shut and let it sit for a few days (or more).
  9. BruSwain

    Is British style not what it was (or maybe never was in the 1st place)?

    M'lud: I did try to avoid using "English" as comprehensive of everyone in the U.K. and am also aware the Scots and Welsh wouldn't be happy if I called them British, either. Is "Briton" a better choice, or does that term also exclude others? How do people feel about "Brit?"—My inclination is that...
  10. BruSwain

    Is British style not what it was (or maybe never was in the 1st place)?

    Well, Mr. Nabaro was certainly natty and wow, that mustache! The MP to whom I referred was in the House maybe 10 to 12 years ago? Bruce
  11. BruSwain

    Darcy detachable collars - Washable Vs. Starched?

    Gotcha, Hap, thanks for the clarification. I have none of those now but once had a bunch of them that belonged to a grandfather, probably from the '30's and '40's and in what one would call piquant patterns (or "wild" ties if you prefer). One of these days I really must learn to sew. First...
  13. BruSwain

    Is British style not what it was (or maybe never was in the 1st place)?

    Allow me to unbaffle you. I'm not naive about the tendency of American trends to leap overseas (God help you). Hope you're enjoying all those baseball caps, baggy pants with waistbands ten inches below the navel, etc. Our culture often spreads like a virus. If I singled out the British it's...
  14. BruSwain

    Is British style not what it was (or maybe never was in the 1st place)?

    No wish to start any wars of words here and will begin by stating I'm a lifelong Anglophile with paternal ancestry from the U.K. Emigrants with my surname were in New England in the 17th Century. They didn't come over on the Mayflower but were close behind. It has been my endeavor since I was...
  15. BruSwain

    Darcy detachable collars - Washable Vs. Starched?

    Hap, Yes! What I like about vintage collars is their height. If I could have my way they'd all be about 1.75 - 2" in height, so as to rise above the coat collar suitably but not so high as to look really odd. The Darcy "casual" is 2.5" and even for me is on the extreme side. When you say...
  16. BruSwain

    Darcy detachable collars - Washable Vs. Starched?

    I have that Darcy collar, too, and agree with your criticism of the design. And while I'm at it, I wish modern collar-makers would copy the old Slidewell feature of a flap over the rear buttonhole to prevent the tie from getting caught on the stud!
  17. BruSwain

    Darcy detachable collars - Washable Vs. Starched?

    Volvo, I have one of the Darcy spearpoint collars but never use it; don't you find that at only 1.25" in height the edge of the loop of a necktie protrudes at the bottom of the collar? Or do you use a very skinny tie with that particular model? Or maybe Darcy was copying this:
  19. BruSwain

    How to deal with Static Terror!

    I'm in Wisconsin so this time of year the air in my flat is as dry as the Sahara. The heating plant here doesn't have a humidifying system. I run a warm mist steamer to help with being zapped whenever I touch a light switch but its reach is limited, of course. Most of my suits are wool or...
  20. BruSwain

    Starching Detachable Collars

    Thanks, Yesteryear, for these videos. Goes to show how machine- and labor-intensive it was/is, and all for small pieces of cloth! In your instructions you mention dipping the collars into the starch solution only until they're damp; I've read elsewhere that some makers soak 'em for 24 hours...
  21. BruSwain

    Darcy detachable collars - Washable Vs. Starched?

    There, that's what I need! An industrial press that heats to 200 degrees. No wonder our piffling department store steam irons can't cut it. Many thanks for posting that video. --Bruce
  22. BruSwain

    Darcy detachable collars - Washable Vs. Starched?

    I have one of the casual models, here's a quick selfie (with apologies for my unshaven neck). It's tall, 2.5" at the back. Bruce
  23. BruSwain

    Darcy detachable collars - Washable Vs. Starched?

    Ironing them to get a smooth result is a task devised by imps from Hell to torture us Edwardian-types. Finding the right moment when the collar is damp enough from starching--not too wet, not too dry--is almost impossible. The edges are the most difficult to smooth out with the iron because...

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