Spiffy Wire Collar Stay?

[Captainofthe7th]

Hello guys and gals,

 

I got a jacket today and checked the pockets as usual and found this odd wire contraption that I believed was headgear. Through questioning, I've found that it is a wire collar stay, commonly made by Spiffy.

 

Does anyone know how to wear these? I don't think they make them anymore!

 

Rob

[Wailuna]

The spiffy was pre-plastic collar stay. In the Army it was used to keep the collar points "presentable" on old-issue poplin shirts worn with Army Greens in 1950s/60s (at least until "wash & wear" overcame the need for wearing starched shirts with collar stays). It went under the knot of the necktie with the sharp points down and stuck into the collar ends (a picture of this contraption would make this explanation less incomprehensible). When worn "correctly" the Spiffy was invisible and it did the job it was intended to do but, like its contemporary, the Ridgway fatigue cap, it was primarily another nuisance borne by the G.I. for appearances sake.

[Muley Gil]

Navy and Marine option NROTC midshipmen were still wearing Spiffys in the 1970s.