OP here again. Thanks for the ideas and suggestions. And, no I hadn’t worn these before Covid hit. In fact, I have a lot really nice, new clothes for the office I got around Feb 2020 that essentially haven’t been worn!😉

You wore these shirts before COVID and they didn't bother you?

Try a fabric softener, maybe? Or, do you use starch when you iron? My ex used to get a neck rash from whatever the dry cleaner used for laundering and pressing; fine with what we had at home. He has very bristly hair and the rash was the worst after haircut or shave.

Or — any chance you’ve recently switched detergents to one that is irritating you?

How many times have you washed them?

It might just be the way this brand makes their collars.

Man asking. I have a number of very nice 100 pct cotton dress shirts. Due to Covid they haven’t been worn much. However, when I wear them, after about two hours, my neck feels very uncomfortable from the collar rubbing. The collars seem very well made, but a little stiff, which looks nice, but is proving to be uncomfortable. Will washing the shirts over and over soften the collar? Or any thing else you can think of to make the collars more comfortable? (I am wearing the correct neck size size.) Other than this, they are beautiful shirts, but I am disappointed.