If you are shopping for a clergy shirt, one seemingly simple question can cause quite a bit of confusion: Does the clergy collar come with the shirt?
The answer depends largely on the type of clergy shirt you are buying. A tab-collar shirt and a neckband or banded-collar shirt may both be photographed with a white clerical collar, but they use very different collar systems.
This guide explains what is normally included, why full clerical collars are often sold separately, how to choose the correct collar size, and what those little collar buttons or studs are for.
For help choosing the correct shirt, collar, alb or robe size, also see our Clergy Shirt, Collar, Alb & Church Robe Size Guide.
| Clergy Shirt Type | Typical Collar | Usually Included? | Special Sizing? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tab Collar Shirt | Small removable white tab | Often | Usually not neck-sized separately |
| Neckband / Banded Collar Shirt | Full removable clerical collar or collarette | Often sold separately | Yes, neck size and sometimes collar height |
Tab-Collar Clergy Shirts: The Tab Is Often Included
A tab-collar clergy shirt has a small opening at the front of the collar where a white plastic tab is inserted. Only a portion of the white tab remains visible when the shirt is worn.
Unlike a full clerical collar, the removable tab normally does not need to be matched to an individual neck measurement. Replacement tabs are generally sold by their physical length rather than by neck size. This makes the tab a relatively simple accessory for a manufacturer to include with the shirt.
That is exactly what Christian Brands does with several Murphy clergy shirts. Both the men's and women's examples below include a reusable collar tab.
Men's Tab-Collar Clergy Shirt
Long Sleeve Tab Collar Shirt - Black
Includes a reusable collar tab.
Women's Tab-Collar Clergy Shirt
Women's Short Sleeve Tab Collar Clergy Shirt - Black
Includes a reusable collar tab.
This is not an absolute rule for every brand and every clergy shirt, so it is still worth checking the product description. But when a shirt is specifically designed as a tab-collar clergy shirt, finding a tab in the package is quite common.
What Does a Clergy Tab Look Like?
A Simple Removable Insert
A clergy tab is a relatively small, flat insert that slips into the opening in a tab-collar shirt. Christian Brands replacement tabs are available as an 8-inch removable insert.
Because the tab does not wrap completely around the neck, there is usually no separate neck-size selection comparable to a full clerical collar.
Full Clerical Collars Are Different
A full clerical collar creates the continuous white band around the neck associated with traditional clerical dress. Instead of slipping into a small opening at the front of the shirt, it wraps around the wearer's neck and attaches to a specially designed neckband or banded-collar clergy shirt.
That difference is important when shopping because a full collar has to fit the wearer correctly. It is therefore much less practical to automatically include one generic collar with every shirt.
Men's Neckband Clergy Shirt
R.J. Toomey Long Sleeve Neckband Shirt
Collar, collarette and collar buttons are sold separately.
Women's Neckband Clergy Blouse
Women's Neckband Clergy Shell Blouse - Black
Designed for a full clerical collar and button studs, sold separately.
A product photograph may show a neckband clergy shirt being worn with a full white collar. That does not necessarily mean the collar is included. Check the description for wording such as collar sold separately, designed for use with clerical collar, or collar and studs sold separately.
What Size Clergy Collar Do I Need?
A common sizing rule for full clerical collars is to order the collar 1/2 inch larger than the shirt collar size.
Christian Brands gives this instruction for both Murphy and R.J. Toomey full clerical collars.
Shirt collar size + 1/2 inch = typical full clerical collar size
| Shirt Collar Size | Typical Full Collar Size |
|---|---|
| 15" | 15-1/2" |
| 15-1/2" | 16" |
| 16" | 16-1/2" |
| 16-1/2" | 17" |
| 17" | 17-1/2" |
| 17-1/2" | 18" |
For example, someone wearing a 16-1/2 inch clergy shirt would normally order a 17-inch full clerical collar when following Christian Brands' Murphy and R.J. Toomey sizing guidance.
For additional measurements and apparel-sizing information, see our complete Clergy Apparel Size Guide.
Collar Height Is Not the Same as Collar Size
There are actually two measurements you may encounter when buying a full clerical collar:
- Neck size determines how the collar fits around your neck.
- Collar height determines how tall the visible white collar is.
For example, Christian Brands offers full clerical collars in heights such as 1-1/4 inches and 1-1/2 inches. A 1-1/2 inch collar height does not describe the wearer's neck size. It simply describes the height of the collar.
What Are Clergy Collar Studs, Buttons and Shanks?
Full collars used with many traditional neckband clergy shirts require small fasteners to secure the collar to the shirt.
You may see these called:
- Collar buttons
- Collar studs
- Button studs
These names generally describe the same type of small fastening accessory. Christian Brands itself uses both collar buttons and button studs in its clergy-apparel descriptions.
You may also see short-shank and long-shank collar buttons. The shank is the small stem of the button or stud. Different collar and shirt configurations may require different shank lengths.
Do Collar Studs Come With the Shirt?
Do not assume that they do. Neckband clergy shirts frequently sell the collar and collar buttons separately.
Likewise, some standalone collars require separately purchased collar buttons or studs.
However, there are important exceptions. Some products are specifically sold as collar and stud sets and include the necessary hardware.
Some Full Collars Do Include the Studs
Christian Brands also offers complete clergy collar and stud sets. When the product specifically says that it is a collar-and-stud set, the fastening hardware is included as part of that package.
The safest rule is simple: check what the particular product says is included rather than assuming that every full clergy collar, every clergy shirt or every collar system is packaged the same way.
So, Should the Collar Be Included With a Clergy Shirt?
There is no universal answer because there are two very different types of products.
With a tab-collar clergy shirt: it is reasonable to expect the removable tab to be included when the manufacturer says it is. Many popular Murphy and R.J. Toomey tab-collar shirts are sold this way.
With a neckband or banded-collar clergy shirt: it is common for the full clerical collar to be sold separately. That makes sense because the collar must be selected according to the wearer's neck measurement and preferred collar height.
The same principle applies to the collar buttons or studs. Some collar sets include them, while many shirts, collars and collarettes require them to be purchased separately.
- Is it a tab-collar or full-collar/neckband shirt?
- Does the listing specifically say the collar or tab is included?
- If using a full collar, what collar size and height do you need?
- Are collar buttons or studs included, or do you need to order them separately?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a clergy shirt normally come with a white collar?
It depends on the shirt style. Tab-collar shirts often include the removable white tab. Neckband and banded-collar shirts designed for a full clerical collar commonly sell the full collar separately.
Why isn't a full clerical collar always included with the shirt?
A full clerical collar must be sized to the individual wearer. Manufacturers can therefore offer one clergy shirt while allowing the customer to select the appropriate collar size and collar height separately.
Do I order a clerical collar in the same size as my shirt?
Not necessarily. Christian Brands recommends ordering many Murphy and R.J. Toomey full clerical collars 1/2 inch larger than the shirt collar size. Always follow the sizing instructions for the particular collar you are purchasing.
What is the difference between a clergy tab and a full clerical collar?
A tab is a small white insert that shows at the front of a tab-collar shirt. A full clerical collar forms the continuous white band around the neck and is generally worn with a neckband or banded-collar clergy shirt.
Do I need collar studs for a clergy shirt?
Tab-collar shirts normally do not use traditional collar studs to hold the tab in place. Full collars worn with many neckband shirts do use collar buttons or studs. Check the individual collar and shirt because the hardware may be included in a collar-and-stud set or sold separately.
Are collar studs and collar buttons the same thing?
The terms are commonly used for the small fasteners that attach a full clerical collar or collarette to a neckband shirt. Christian Brands uses both "collar buttons" and "button studs" in its product descriptions. You may also see short-shank and long-shank versions.
What size full clergy collar goes with a 16-1/2 inch shirt?
Using the Christian Brands and R.J. Toomey 1/2-inch sizing guideline, a 16-1/2 inch shirt collar would normally be paired with a 17-inch full clerical collar.
Need Help Choosing a Clergy Shirt or Collar?
Clergy apparel has a few more moving pieces than an ordinary dress shirt, and product photographs do not always make clear which accessories are included. Church and Faith Supply is happy to help you identify the correct shirt style, collar size and accessories before ordering.
For sizing help, visit our Clergy Shirt, Collar, Alb & Church Robe Size Guide.
This guide uses current product and sizing information published by Christian Brands Church Supply for Murphy Tailored Church Apparel and R.J. Toomey clergy apparel.
Last updated July 24, 2026. Product packaging, sizing and included accessories can change. When a specific product listing differs from this general guide, follow the product-specific manufacturer information.