How to Iron a Wing Collar Tuxedo Shirt

The wing collar tuxedo shirt has small, standing "points" that extend horizontally. It's made to be worn with men's black-tie evening attire, and was made popular by lawyers in England and Canada decades ago. Although there was a period in the 1970s when wing collar shirts came in every imaginable color, particularly pastel colors, they are traditionally white. Since those people who wear wing collars regularly for social occasions likely have them professionally dry-cleaned and pressed, those who choose to iron a shirt are likely male members of high school or college choirs, bands and other performing groups.

Steam iron
Ironing board
Distilled or filtered water

Instructions

- 1
  Set up the ironing board. For a left-handed person, put the tapered end of the board to the right. The tapered end is on the left for a right-handed person.
- 2
  Fill the iron with distilled or filtered water to the "fill" line indicated on the iron. Set the heat to the correct setting based on the fabric content of the shirt. For example, a cotton shirt can handle a hotter setting, while man-made fabrics require a cooler setting. Use steam if the shirt will handle the warmer settings.
- 3
  Lay the collar of the shirt over the tapered end of the ironing board. Iron the back of the collar. Avoid ironing the wing tips unless they are wilted. Most wing collar shirts are created to hold the stiffness in the collar.
- 4
  Lay the first sleeve on the ironing board. Place the sleeve seam at the bottom and smooth the fabric. Press the sleeve in place, using the iron. Create a crease at the top of the sleeve. Where the sleeve meets the cuff, you will generally find two pleats. Iron them flat to create sharp creases. Iron over the cuff lightly, as needed. Turn the sleeve over and press out any wrinkles you may have inadvertently created. Repeat this step for the opposite sleeve.
- 5
  Place the shirt on the narrow end of the board. Ensure that the ironing board extends into the sleeve so that the yoke of the shirt (the area between the sleeves and the collar that runs across the back) is smooth on the ironing board. Ensure the collar is standing straight. Iron the yoke until it is smooth. Repeat for the opposite side.
- 6
  Remove the shirt and reposition it on the tapered end so that one side of the front is smoothly in place on the ironing board. Ensure that the tapered end extends slightly into the sleeve to pull the fabric flat. Wing collar shirts generally have a series of tiny pleats running along the front. Iron over the pleats and press them into creases. Use the point of the iron to press between the buttons.
- 7
  Rotate the shirt around the board, ironing one side of the back and then the other. Place the narrow end of the board slightly into the sleeve to keep the fabric tight and easy to iron. Rotate around to the front of the shirt that you have not yet ironed and press across the pleats on that side of the shirt.

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