Story 16: Sailor collars , types 2 and purpose

 

"I have the longest collar".

I'm still fascinated about sailor suits and sailor collars. Isn't it one of the weirdest clothing (next to Lederhosen)? Now some new facts:

Probably most wondered what is the purpose of the sailor collar.

According to the book "Der Matrosenanzug - Kulturgeschichte eines Markenartikels" from an early manufacturer (see info 17) the main reason for the collar is to protect the clothing underneath at the shoulders from the tearing ropes. Additionally because of the oiled braids of the seamen. (Not sure if this is 100% true, the last point is according to wikipedia untrue).

Most sailor collars shown on the web are removable collars like a simple shaped "Ƞ" but there are different collars like in the movie "Lord Jeff" with attached (sewed) white lengthenings on front an back so it can be pulled over the head and tied together at the waist (or a bit higher). So It might be not so complicated for dressing this on. Not sure if can be tied together alone. But kids were dressed by their moms anyway. I wonder how tight.

First I thought that this might only be the case for real sailors and not for kids but I now also saw some kid collars on ebay and also other vintage collars on other auction sites. I considered buying one, but most vintage cotton collars are in quite bad condition (and expensive) and the newer ones aren't original but costumes. Russian collars have a slightly different shape (lids at front more narrow and more like a "Ʌ", there's a pic on wikimedia commons.)

The pic above is showing crown prince Wilhelm of Prussia (*1882) and his sister Victoria Luise (*1892). The original pic is believed to be in the Public Domain (taken in the 1890s, at least PD in the US and Europe). Sailor lengthening by myself.

For more infos see the other story and info entries, especially

/2011/11/story-14-sailor-collars-types-and.html

Sailor collar (backside)

Sailor collar with extensions (front)