When you think about the shirt collar, you probably don’t give it much thought. But did you know it has a pretty interesting history? The collar we know today has gone through a lot of changes—from something that was purely functional to a key style element. Let’s take a quick look at how the shirt collar has evolved over time.
1. The Beginning: All About Function
In the early days, shirts didn’t even have collars. Back in medieval times, they were collarless and worn mainly as undergarments for protection. But by the 16th century, people started adding simple bands of fabric at the neck to make shirts more comfortable. These bands were functional—they protected your neck from rough outer clothing and kept your shirt in place.
2. The Renaissance: Enter the Ruff
By the late 1500s, collars weren’t just functional—they became fashion statements. Think of the ruff, those huge, frilly collars you see in old paintings. People wore them to show off wealth and status. The bigger and fancier the ruff, the more important you looked. They were made stiff with starch and could get so big that you could barely move your head!
3. The 17th & 18th Centuries: Cravats Take Over
In the 1600s and 1700s, the ruff was replaced by the cravat, which was a long piece of cloth tied around the neck. Collars during this time were tall and stiff to support the cravat, giving men a formal, elegant look. The cravat was basically the early version of today’s necktie, and collars started to become part of the whole neckwear game.
4. The 19th Century: The Rise of Detachable Collars
The 1800s brought about detachable collars. These collars were separate from the shirt and buttoned on. Why? So men could swap out dirty collars without changing the whole shirt—pretty clever! Detachable collars were stiff and starched, making them a favorite for formal occasions. High, pointed collars were the style, which helped create the classic formal look we recognize today.
5. The Early 20th Century: Collars Become Softer
By the early 1900s, stiff collars started to fall out of favor, and soft, attached collars became the norm. Shirts with collars attached to them were easier to wear and much more comfortable. This is when styles like the spread collar and the club collar (with rounded edges) became popular.
6. The Button-Down Collar: A Game Changer
One of the biggest innovations came in the late 1800s, thanks to polo players. They needed collars that wouldn’t flap around during games, so they added buttons to keep them in place. Brooks Brothers took that idea and made the button-down collar famous in 1896. It’s now a staple of casual menswear and works well for both formal and laid-back looks.
7. The Mid-20th Century: The Open Collar Trend
In the 1960s and 70s, people started ditching ties and leaving their collars open. This was part of the more relaxed fashion of the time. The open collar look became popular for casual events and summer wear, a style that’s still around today.
8. Today: A Collar for Every Style
Now, there are a ton of collar styles to choose from, depending on how formal or casual you want to be.
- Point Collar: The classic, sharp collar that works for formal occasions.
- Spread Collar: Modern and perfect for wearing with a suit and tie.
- Button-Down Collar: Casual and great for a laid-back look.
- Club Collar: A retro style with rounded edges, adding a bit of flair.
Final Thoughts
From the giant ruffs of the Renaissance to the modern button-down, the shirt collar has come a long way. It’s gone from being purely functional to a key part of how we express style. Whether you’re going for a formal look or keeping things casual, the collar you choose says a lot about your style. So next time you button up, remember—there’s a lot of history behind that collar!
