There is exactly one collar that does not fight the Indian summer. It doesn't constrict your neck when the humidity climbs. It doesn't demand to be buttoned at the top. It doesn't look underdressed when worn open or overdressed when buttoned. It works with handwoven Ikat, crisp seersucker, and everything in between.
The Cuban collar shirt — also called the camp collar — is having its moment in Indian menswear. And it's earned it.
What is a Cuban Collar Shirt?
A Cuban collar (or camp collar) is an open, flat collar that lies flat against the body without needing to be folded over like a traditional shirt collar. It has no stiff interlining, no buttons requiring the collar to close at the throat, and no collar stays. The points lie relaxed against the chest.
Originating in 1930s Cuba and popularised through resort wear, the Cuban collar hit mainstream menswear in the 1960s through American leisure culture. In India, it's now finding its most natural home — as a collar that complements handloom fabrics and contemporary Indian silhouettes without looking borrowed from another culture.
Why It Works So Well in India
The Cuban collar's practicality in Indian conditions is almost engineered:
- No constriction at the throat: In high temperatures, the last thing you want is a collar pressing against your neck. The Cuban collar's open, flat design keeps the throat completely free.
- Naturally ventilated: The open collar creates airflow at the chest and neck — the exact areas where the body loses heat most efficiently.
- Works at every button: Fully buttoned, it looks tailored and elegant. Two buttons open, it looks relaxed and coastal. Unlike a traditional shirt, neither position looks wrong.
- Pairs with Indian fabrics: Ikat cotton, Khadi, and seersucker all have enough texture and character of their own. The Cuban collar doesn't compete with the fabric — it frames it.
The Dastak SS26 Cuban Collar Shirts
Four shirts in the Dastak collection use the Cuban collar, each with a different fabric and occasion in mind:
Kusha Ikat Shirts — Olive Green
Available in full sleeve and half sleeve. The olive-green V-motif Ikat pattern against the flat Cuban collar is a study in restraint — the collar lets the handwoven fabric be the story. The full sleeve version works for evenings and air-conditioned spaces; the half sleeve is made for everything outdoors.
Tarang Ikat Shirts — Rose & White
Available in full sleeve and half sleeve. The wave-inspired rose-and-white Ikat pattern is inherently coastal — fluid, rhythmic, and effortlessly warm. The Cuban collar on the Tarang gives it a resort quality that a standard shirt collar would undermine.
How to Wear a Cuban Collar Shirt: 5 Ways
1. Fully Buttoned, Tucked In
Tuck the Kusha or Tarang full sleeve Ikat shirt fully into the Hans Cotton Twill Trouser. Button all the way up — the Cuban collar sits flat and elegant without looking strangled. Add leather shoes. This is your smart casual look for creative offices and evening events.
2. Fully Buttoned, Half-Tucked
Half-tuck the Kusha half sleeve into linen shorts or chinos — tucked at the front, left out at the back. The Cuban collar's relaxed profile makes this look intentional rather than lazy. Perfect for brunch, art galleries, or afternoon events.
3. Two Buttons Open, Untucked
Wear the Tarang half sleeve unbuttoned at the top two buttons, shirt hanging loose over shorts or slim trousers. This is the beach / travel / casual evening look. The Cuban collar spreads slightly at the chest, catching the breeze. No belt needed.
4. Fully Open as a Layer
Wear the Tarang half sleeve or Kusha half sleeve fully open over a plain white vest or tee as a beach layer. The flat collar falls naturally to the sides, framing the neckline of what's underneath. The Ikat pattern becomes a frame rather than the whole picture.
5. Tucked into High-Waisted Trousers
For the most dressed-up version, tuck the Tarang full sleeve into high-waisted straight trousers and add leather loafers. The Cuban collar's flatness is more formal-looking than it has any right to be — a quietly elegant result that works for family occasions and upscale casual events.
Cuban Collar vs Standard Collar: When to Choose Which
- Choose Cuban collar when: the weather is hot, the setting is relaxed or creative, you're wearing a textured fabric (Ikat, seersucker, linen), or you're somewhere coastal.
- Choose standard collar when: the occasion is formally corporate, you need a tie, or you're in an air-conditioned formal setting for the entire event.
In India's climate, for most occasions, the Cuban collar wins. It's time to act accordingly.
Explore the Dastak SS26 collection — all four Cuban collar Ikat shirts are available now in limited stock.