A camp collar shirt is a button-front shirt with an open, notched collar that lies flat against the chest instead of standing around the neck. It commonly has no conventional separate raised collar stand, though construction varies by maker. Most versions are short-sleeved, but the collar itself is not limited to sleeve length. Browse the camp collar shirts collection for examples.
At a glance
- Collar: open, notched and lay-flat, commonly without a conventional raised stand.
- Front: typically a full button placket, worn closed or open.
- Common sleeve: short, though not a rule.
- Cut: often relaxed or boxy, but it varies by style.
- Naming: often overlaps with Cuban collar, Cuban-style, revere or loop collar.
- Fit check: compare garment measurements with a shirt you own.
What the open collar looks like
A standard dress or casual shirt collar usually has a band that rises around the neck and a collar that folds over it. This raised structure holds the points upward and makes a tie possible. A camp collar is generally defined by how it sits: it rolls open and rests on the shoulders and upper chest, forming a soft notch at the neckline.
Exactly how that shape is achieved varies. Some shirts have no separate stand at all, while others use different internal patterning or finishing. What the wearer sees is the open, lay-flat posture rather than a stiff, upright neckline. The result looks natural left unbuttoned at the top, and it can feel less formal than a pointed-collar shirt, although fabric, cut and finishing still affect the overall look.
Camp collar versus other collars
The terms below describe nearby ideas, and they are not always mutually exclusive. A shirt can have a camp collar and also a chest pocket, a yoke or a relaxed cut.
| Collar | Typical structure | Typical posture | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camp collar | Open notch, commonly no conventional raised stand | Lies flat | Works open or buttoned |
| Pointed (spread) collar | Separate collar and stand | Upright around neck | Can hold a tie |
| Button-down collar | Collar points fasten to the shirt | Upright, points held down | Structured, usually with a stand |
| Band (mandarin) collar | Narrow stand, no fold-over | Stands up | Closed neckline |
Cuban collar and other names
Many retailers use "Cuban collar" and "camp collar" for the same open style. Some makers use Cuban collar for a version with a slightly deeper or more pronounced notch, and others reserve it for a specific heritage look. Revere collar and loop-collar shirts also overlap in everyday use. Since usage differs, rely on the product details and photographs rather than the label alone. The common thread is the open, flat collar without a conventional raised stand.
How it is worn
The open collar suits two basic approaches. Buttoned fully, it creates a clean, collar-forward line with trousers or shorts. Left open over a plain tee, it works as a light layer. Cut matters here: a boxy or relaxed shirt drapes loosely, while a closer cut sits nearer the body. Fabric also changes the effect. A linen or linen-look shirt tends to look textured and airy, so the linen shirts collection is a useful comparison, but check each fabric listing instead of assuming the content.
Two examples of the design in practice
The Men's Light Blue Shirt with Camp Collar and Dark Stripes shows the classic features clearly: an open notch collar, a full white-button front, a chest patch pocket with horizontal stripes and a back yoke with a center pleat. The straight hem sits slightly cropped on a boxy cut, so the collar is only part of the overall shape.
The Men's Oversized Short-Sleeve Camp Collar Button Shirt uses the same open collar in a different way. It has metal-look stud buttons on the placket, a pleated shoulder yoke, turned-up cuffs with stud accents and a slightly curved hem. Its relaxed, oversized cut shows that two shirts with the same collar can look quite different. See more in the full camp collar range.
Checklist for identifying and measuring
- Look at the neckline: does the collar lie flat and open, or does a raised band hold it upright?
- Read the product details for terms such as camp collar, open notch collar or Cuban collar, and remember that naming varies.
- Confirm sleeve length in the listing, since not every camp collar shirt is short-sleeved.
- Use the size chart and note whether chest is given as circumference or flat width. Double a flat width only if you are comparing with a full circumference figure.
- Remember that chart numbers are garment dimensions, not body dimensions, so they include room for ease.
- Measure a shirt you already like, laid flat, and compare the same points: length, shoulder width, chest and sleeve length.
- For dropped shoulders, shoulder-to-cuff sleeve length can be shorter than a neck-to-cuff reach, so compare like with like.
- Do not assume that a larger size will fit the same way, because cut and proportions differ across brands and styles.
For wider comparisons, see men's shirts or the broader shirts collection.
Camp collar shirt FAQ
Is a camp collar the same as a Cuban collar?
Often, in everyday retail language, yes. Some makers use Cuban collar for a particular notch depth or heritage look, so check the photos and description.
Can a camp collar shirt have long sleeves?
Yes, the collar can appear on long-sleeved shirts. Many are short-sleeved, so confirm the sleeve in each listing.
Is a camp collar shirt always oversized?
No. The collar describes the neckline only. Fit can be boxy, relaxed, oversized or closer, depending on the pattern and size chart.
Can I wear one with a tie?
It is not designed for it. With an open, lay-flat notch and no conventional raised stand, the shirt does not form the structured neckline a tie usually needs.