The collars worn by American boys have changed quite dramatically over time. We do not much have much information on the early 19th century. Collars on boys' shirts tended to be very small in the mid-19th century. A good example is the Wallis brothers in 1852. Collars increased in size by the late 19th century in some cases becoming huge. We note a range of collar styles for boys in the late 19th century. The governing rule seems to have been that the younger the boys the larger the collar. Younger boys in the late-19th century might wear lace collars and slightly later ruffled collars. Some were quite large and often worn with floppy bows. We also note plainer Eton and Peter Pan collars. These could be quite large as well, but not as large as the lace and ruffled collars By the turn of the 20th century, ruffled collars becamme more common. Many school age boys in the late 19th and early 20th century wore Eton collars when dressing up. Gradually a standard pointed collar became the nost common collar worn. The size of the collar varied. The collar button was often worn buttoned, but in the 1920s soorts collars became popular. By the 1950s preppy styles were popular, Many boys wore shirts with button-down collars. Collarless "T" shirts became increasing popular in the latter part of the 20th century. This was part of the increasing popularity of informal dress. By the turn of the 21st century, many boys had come to see a collared shirt as a dressy shirt style.

The 18th Century

Figure 1.--Collars for boys in the late 20th century became quite large and were often worn with floppy bows. Adults might wear a wing collar.

The 19th Century

We do not much have much information on the early 19th century. Some boys from wore fancy collars in the early 19th century. Open cillars were common in the very early 19th century, but buttoned collars gradually becme more common. These were commonly worn by city boys from affluent families. America at the time was, howecer, largely rural and most rural boys wore very plain collars. We know much more about the mid-19th century as a result of the development of photography. We notice great variation both in style and size. Collars on boys' shirts tended to be very small in the mid-19th century. Often we can hardly see the collars in old portraits because they are so small and often covered by jackets. A good example of small collars is the Wallis brothers in 1852. We continue to see very small collars in the 1860s. An example of a boy wearing a collar so small that it can hardly be seen is C. Stewart in 1865. Collars increased in size by the late 19th century in some cases becoming huge. We note a range of collar styles for boys in the late 19th century. The governing rule seems to have been that the younger the boys the larger the collar. Younger boys in the late-19th century might wear lace collars and slightly later ruffled collars. Some were quite large and often worn with floppy bows. Some of the outfits seem to almost ebvelop small boys. We also note plainer Eton and Peter Pan collars. These might be worn by somewhat older boys. Eton collars were an popular style in the late-19th, although less so in American thannBritain. These were detachable collars worn with shirt waists. These could be quite large as well, but not as large as the lace and ruffled collars By the 1890s and turn of the 20th century, ruffled collars becamme more common. These collars were not just worn with Fauntleroy suits, but oin standard sack suits as well. Boys almost always buttoned their collars, even when not wearing neckwear.

Figure 1.--Younger boys in the early 20th century might wear plain, but large collars. Rounded Peter Pan collars were popular, but they were also done with pointed collara. Note that despite the play scene, the boy's collar is buttoned.

The 20th Century

Many school age boys in the late 19th and early 20th century wore Eton collars when dressing up. The fancy lave and ruffled collars were becoming less popular in the 1910s. World War I was a major turning point in fashion. Many fancy, formal styles disappeared after the War. Younger boys might wear Peter Pan collars or similar large collars with points. Eton collars went out of style, although we see some younger boys wearing them when dressung up. Gradually a standard pointed collar became the nost common collar worn. The size of the collar varied. The collar button was often worn buttoned, but in the 1920s sports collars became popular. By the 1950s preppy styles were popular, Many boys wore shirts with button-down collars. Collarless "T" shirts became increasing popular in the latter part of the 20th century. This was part of the increasing popularity of informal dress. We notice fad styles in the 1970s like the Chinese collar. We notice few boys by the end of the century buttoning their collars.

The 21st Century

By the turn of the 21st century, many boys had come to see a collared shirt as a dressy shirt style.

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Created: 5:10 PM 8/8/2007
Last updated: 5:10 PM 8/8/2007