A protective garment comprising a gown and an improved collar mechanism and method of use for securing protective gowns, typically used in health care settings, around the neck of a user without the need to secure with ties, tabs, snaps or other securing devices. The collar mechanism is made pliable when fastened to the garment so as to be deformed without fracture when force is applied but with a sufficient memory when combined with the gown that allows the collar to return to its original position once the force is removed. The collar mechanism may be manufactured efficiently by using a rotary die cutting machine to created nested pairs of pieces of a two-piece embodiment arranged spirally on a stock.