Wide collars in the 40s?

So I came across this photo of Elvis Presley, taken in 1946


If you didn't know the photo was of Elvis or that it was taken in 1946 you'd swear by the collar it was taken in 1976 instead.

So my question is, were wide collars such as Elvis' there common in the 1940s or was he just way ahead of his time?

He was not the only contributor to this swanky look.

I recently purchased a wide loop collared shirt because it looked exactly like the one my father wore in the FIFTIES. Sports shirts with wide pointed collars have been popular since the 1920s. In the post-war period (1945-1953, for instance), it was very popular among youth to sport these shirts with sports coats, even full suits!

Alas, these shirts are now associated with Saturday Night Fever and the disco era more than the Golden Era. However, with the right pieces it can be done masterfully, and is a much better alternative to the suit coat sans-tie look than what men usually do (keeping the collar points under the lapels). my father circa late 50s with a more 40s style collar.



James Stewart!

Walt Disney!

Shirts like these were known as "convertible collars". Men loved them because it doubled as a business-appropriate shirt.


I'm always on the lookout for these sports shirts. The 1940's ones exemplified heavily in this post are highly sought after, and fetch a king's ransom on the 'Bay.

Men wore both styles at the time. My dad's shirt that I mentioned in the other thread (I'll try this weekend to get some pics up) has a smaller collar. I've been buying up quite a few in the last few years on Etsy and Ebay, as I really can't wear the "stand-up" collars and tight shirts that are so popular right now.

Sadly, I think the 70s killed what was a very cool, relaxed style by creating massive stiff-necked collars that looked as if they'd send you flying off if the wind picked up!

Sloan1874 said:

Sadly, I think the 70s killed what was a very cool, relaxed style by creating massive stiff-necked collars that looked as if they'd send you flying off if the wind picked up!

Click to expand...

They were horrible, but I find the modern, tight fit is very similar. We used to call them "body-shirts". In those days I either wore army/navy work-shirts or the Fifties spread-collars, which were everywhere in the used-clothing shops then. Ah, when I think of the things we used to find!