Peter Pan collar


A Peter Pan collar differs from conventional shirt collars in a number of ways. The rounded corners are the first and most recognisably distinctive feature. The flat collar, which includes the Peter Pan collar as well as the stand collar and the roll collar, is one of the three fundamental styles of collar. It is designed to follow the curvature of the neckline, fit snugly, and lay flat against the torso.

It can be constructed in two ways: as a single piece with a front-fastening bodice or as two separate pieces with a back fastening and a front opening. The collar has rounded corners and is modest and delicate. The collar has been primarily linked with children’s clothing since the 1920s, despite being a frequent component of women’s design since the 1900s, including a popular wedding dress element in the middle of the 20th century.

What is a Peter Pan Collar?

A particular style of shirt collar known as a “Peter Pan collar” is typically worn by women and little girls. Many ladies of all ages find the collar’s basic form and sense of purity appealing. The popularity of the collar ebbs and flows like many other fashion fads, although a few versions can typically be found on the racks of a department store, particularly in the girls’ section. Naturally, you may also alter an old shirt collar or create your own apparel with a Peter Pan collar.

A Peter Pan collar differs from conventional shirt collars in a number of ways. The rounded corners are the first and most recognisably distinctive feature. There may be a gap between the rounds’ edges, or they may overlap or connect. The collar is frequently small, inconspicuous, and closely fitting. Since a Peter Pan collar surrounds the neck and prevents the appearance of cleavage or décolletage, such garments are often modest.

Historical Background

It appears that Peter Pan collars took their name from the collar Maude Adam wore in her celebrated 1905 performance as Peter Pan in J.M. Barrie’s novel. It is a flat collar with softly curved corners that lies over the body and is shaped to fit the neckline. American actress Maudie Adams originally portrayed Peter Pan in the 1905 Broadway staging of the movie, which led to her greatest career success. Although the performance was well received by the audience, Maude’s endearing character and distinctive outfit were what caught the public’s attention.

While the neckline was embellished with a polished, flat, spherical collar with points that connected at the front, the base of the costume was designed to have a leafy camouflaged appearance. The “Peter Pan collar” soon gained popularity as a fashion accessory in the United States and the United Kingdom before spreading to other parts of the world. The 1905 Broadway production of Peter Pan can’t be entirely blamed for the style, though. In fact, the publication of Colette’s book “Claudine à l’école” in 1900 marked the exact beginning of the exact same sort of collar’s widespread popularity in France five years earlier. The collar Claudine wore in the book’s drawings was strikingly similar to the one Maudie Adams wore in the Peter Pan production five years later, setting off a fad among French women who called it “le col Claudine” and still do (the Claudine collar).

Peter Pan Collar Construction

This Peter Pan collar is quite flat and has hardly any collar stand. The combined front and back pattern is directly used to develop the construction, with only minimal shoulder overlap. The breadth needed for the collar to rest flat against the shoulder is provided by this.

On the front pattern, draw the bust dart closed. With a 1 to 1.5 cm overlap at the armhole, place the back pattern on the front shoulder. This collar has a fairly flat shape due to the modest shoulder overlap, which also prevents an excessively wide and wavy collar edge. At the shoulder and centre back, the neckline should be lowered by 1 cm. Draw the new neckline perpendicular to the centre back and lower it by 2 cm at the centre front. Plot the 6-cm-wide Peter Pan collar using the illustration as a guide. For a better fit, draw the front collar 0.7 cm lower than the neckline. Make a duplicate of the collar.

High Peter Pan Collar Construction

This Peter Pan collar has a taller shape thanks to the grown-on stand. The combined front and back pattern serves as the foundation for the building. The front section and back pattern overlap so much at the shoulder that the collar has the proper stand thanks to the shorter outside edge.

On the front pattern, draw the bust dart closed. At the shoulder and centre back, the neckline should be lowered by 1 cm. Draw the new neckline perpendicular to the centre back and lower it by 2 cm at the centre front. Place the back design on the front shoulder with a 7–8 cm overlap at the armhole and correspondingly reduced neck points.

Conclusion

The Peter Pan collar appears to have its roots in the middle of the 20th century, both in terms of shape and nomenclature. The pattern quickly spread throughout popular culture and gained enormous popularity for school uniforms. Despite being named after a man, it is mainly connected with feminine clothing and is hardly ever seen in men’s design.

A Peter Pan collar or the option to make one is present in a lot of sewing patterns for shirts and skirts. In many instances, it is also possible to change the collar of an existing shirt by carefully separating the pertinent portions and re-sewing them to create the traditional rounded edges. Clothing with Peter Pan collars reached an all-time high. Of course, they are always essentials for a minimalist or vintage-inspired outfit. Additionally, they have been and will continue to be fashionable for those who adore antique clothing.

Updated on: 13-Feb-2023

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