Sailor collar

The sailor collar is a broad, square-shaped collar that falls over the shoulders and upper back. It originates from the British naval uniform of the early 19th century. Around 1830 the dark-blue version with wide-legged trousers and sailor collar became standard uniform.

The sailor collar entered civilian fashion in 1846 when British royal children – notably Prince Edward, later Edward VII – publicly wore miniature naval uniforms. Between 1870 and the 1930s the sailor suit was extremely popular as children's wear and school uniform in Europe and Japan. In Japan the sailor fuku school uniform has been in use since 1921 and continues today.

• Square back
• Often trimmed with blue or white braid
• Traditionally paired with a black neckerchief