Button-Down 

A button-down shirt may be worn without a tie.  The shirt has small buttonholes on its collar, including those on the shirtfront. The collar buttons always remain fastened. This is the mainstay for a prep look.

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Spread 

Spread refers to the length between the points of the collar. Next to a tux shirt, the spread collar shirt is the most formal of all shirts.  Wider tie knots, such as a Windsor, Trinity or Merovingian, should be worn with this type of shirt.

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Forward Point

The Forward point is a cousin of the button down shirt.  It is more corporate in look. A slim tie is the best look for this shirt.

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Club Collar

The club collar shirt is attributed to Windsor England’s Eton College's 1800’s dress code.  It works well with collar pins.

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Tab Collar

A tab collar has small tabs (cloth strips) in the middle of the collar points that are connected with a small button.  The tab is positioned beneath the tie and pushes the tie knot up and out.

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Note:

Tie stays are a must. They may be difficult to handle, but they help the collars lie down and stay in the correct position.  Plastic tie stays usually come with a shirt.  Metal tie stays are better quality and last longer.