
The Peter Pan collar, with its distinctive flat, rounded shape, has been a part of women's fashion since the early 1900s. Named after the collar worn by Maude Adams in the 1905 Broadway production of Peter Pan, it has endured as a timeless classic, offering a unique blend of innocence and sophistication. With its vintage appeal, the Peter Pan collar has seen various revivals in fashion, embraced by celebrities and high-street brands alike. But can you wear a tie with this type of collar? This article will explore the styling possibilities and provide a step-by-step guide to creating your own tie collar.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Sewing a Peter Pan collar
A Peter Pan collar is a flat collar with rounded ends that meet at the front. It is a timeless design staple that has been worn by women since the early 20th century. You can sew a Peter Pan collar to any dress or top with a round neckline.
To begin sewing a Peter Pan collar, you must first decide on the final shape of the collar. The width of the collar can be as large or small as you like, but a basic Peter Pan collar is typically between 1.5 and 2 inches wide. Once you have decided on the width, trace off the shape that will become your pattern piece. As a general rule, the top part of the collar should be slightly bigger than the bottom part to ensure that the seam line at the edge will lie slightly on the underside of the collar and will not show when made up.
After tracing the shape, add your usual seam allowance around all edges. For curved edges, a 1cm seam allowance is recommended as more will add too much bulk. Cut one top collar and one under collar on the fold at the back, or cut two mirror pieces for the top and under collars if your garment has an opening at the back.
If your garment has an opening at the back, such as a keyhole opening or button bands, ensure that this is already finished before attaching the collar. First, apply fusible interfacing to the wrong side of your under-collar pieces. Then, pin the top collar to the under collar, right sides together, evenly distributing the fabric around all edges. Sew the two pieces together using a 3/8" (1 cm) seam allowance, leaving the inner edge unstitched. Trim the seam allowances down to 1/4" and notch them at the curves so they will turn smoothly.
Finally, pin the collar to the neckline of your garment, ensuring that the collar is evenly distributed around the neckline. Sew the collar in place, and your Peter Pan collar is complete!
Adjusting Your Logitech Camera: Pan, Tilt, Zoom Control
You may want to see also
Explore related products

History of the Peter Pan collar
The Peter Pan collar is a flat collar with rounded corners that fit around the neckline. The collar is named after the costume worn by Maude Adams in her 1905 performance as the titular character in J.M. Barrie's play 'Peter Pan'. The character's mischievous personality and unique costume resonated with audiences, and the "Peter Pan collar" soon became a popular design in the United States and the United Kingdom, and eventually worldwide.
However, similar styles predated the 1905 play. For instance, the collar has similarities with the "col Claudine" or "Claudine collar" from Paris, which was inspired by the title character of Colette's 1900 novel "Claudine à l'école". The novel's protagonist, Claudine, wore a round collar with a check scarf, and the style soon became popular among French women and children. Other parallels have been drawn with the collars associated with Little Lord Fauntleroy (1885) and Buster Brown (1902), which also inspired boys' outfits.
The Peter Pan collar has been a regular part of women's fashion since the 1900s, including as a popular wedding dress detail in the mid-20th century. However, since the 1920s, it has been primarily associated with children's wear. The collar has continued to reappear in fashion over the decades, featuring in 1930s formalwear, 1940s and 1950s daywear, 1960s mini-dresses, and even 1970s "vintage" trends. In the 21st century, oversized and detachable collars became trendy, with influencers like Pernille Teisbaek popularising the look. Today, the Peter Pan collar remains a fixture in fashion, with brands like Chanel, Miu Miu, and Ganni incorporating it into their designs in recent years.
Pineapple Juice: Metal Pan's Worst Enemy?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$5.97 $6.99

Celebrities wearing Peter Pan collars
The Peter Pan collar, with its distinctive rounded edges, has been a fixture in fashion for over a century. First introduced in 1905 by Maude Adams in her portrayal of Peter Pan on Broadway, the style quickly captured the public's imagination and has endured as a timeless classic. Celebrity endorsements have played a significant role in its enduring popularity. Here are some notable celebrities who have been spotted sporting the Peter Pan collar:
- Alexa Chung: Chung has been known to pair the collar with vintage dresses, showcasing its versatility and chic appeal.
- Zooey Deschanel: Deschanel embraces the collar's vintage aesthetic, often pairing it with modern blazers for a unique contrast.
- Emma Watson: Watson has been photographed donning the Peter Pan collar, reinforcing its status as a versatile and elegant piece.
- Audrey Hepburn: In the iconic film "Roman Holiday" (1953), Hepburn's character sported a delicate, rounded Peter Pan collar, underscoring her innocent and charming on-screen persona.
- Danish fashion influencer Pernille Teisbaek: Teisbaek was seen wearing a frilly white Peter Pan collar with an olive green day dress, a modern take on this classic trend.
These celebrities, among others, have undoubtedly influenced the resurgence of the Peter Pan collar, with fashion enthusiasts emulating their style choices and incorporating this unique collar into their wardrobes.
Allison 1000 Pan: Understanding Its Depth
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Peter Pan collars in high fashion
Peter Pan collars have been a fixture in fashion and have reappeared in some form in nearly every decade since their inception. The collar is named after the collar worn by Maude Adams in her 1905 performance as the titular character in Peter Pan. Although similar styles were worn before this date, the popularity of the collar took off after Adams's performance. The collar is small and flat with rounded corners, cut to fit around the neckline.
Peter Pan collars were particularly popular in the 1930s as formalwear, in the 1940s and 1950s as daywear, and in the 1960s on mod mini-dresses. In the 1940s and 1950s, it was common for wedding dresses to feature a Peter Pan collar. The style was also popular in the 1970s, when there was a "1950s revival" trend.
Today, Peter Pan collars are still trendy, with the brand Ganni being particularly synonymous with the style. Ganni has made frilly, supersized collars its signature. Danish fashion influencer Pernille Teisbaek has also been seen wearing a frilly white Peter Pan collar atop an olive green day dress. Gen Z creator Cloe See teams her Peter Pan collar shirts with leather jackets, black trousers, and neckties. Smaller Peter Pan collars are recommended for those with a gamines Kibbe type.
Hexclad Pans: Are They PFAS-Free?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Making a Peter Pan collar detachable
A detachable Peter Pan collar is a great way to add variety to your wardrobe without buying new clothes. You can make your own detachable collar at home by following these steps:
Materials
Firstly, gather your materials. You will need fabric for the collar, such as lightweight quilting cotton, as well as interfacing if you want your collar to have structure. You can use a leather tie, ribbon, or make your own tie from fabric. You will also need basic sewing supplies, such as a sewing machine, scissors, pins, and thread.
Pattern
Create a pattern for your collar by taping two pieces of paper together to make a 17" x 11" sheet. Fold the paper in half and place your chosen top on top of it, lining up the shoulder seams and the edges of the collar. Trace the shirt's neckline and sketch out the desired shape of your collar. Cut out the pattern and place it on your fabric to cut out the collar pieces.
Assembly
Cut out two main collar pieces and two lining pieces. Place your main collar piece with the right side (RS) facing up and position your tie at the top corner of the back collar. Baste the tie in place. Place the lining piece on top of the main piece with the RS together, ensuring the tie is sandwiched between them. Pin the pieces together and sew the outer and inner curves using a 1 cm seam allowance. Make sure not to catch the tie in your stitching.
Trim the seam allowances and cut a slit in the lining piece to turn the collar inside out. Push out the collar corners using a knitting needle or a blunt pencil, ensuring the collar is flat. Slip stitch or topstitch the gap closed, and press the collar with steam.
Attaching the Collar
You can attach the collar to your garment in several ways. One method is to weave a ribbon through holes punched in each corner of the collar and tie it into a bow. Alternatively, you can attach the collar by sewing or pinning it directly to your garment.
By following these steps, you can create a detachable Peter Pan collar to accessorize and transform your outfits.
Pie in a Cake Pan: Does it Work?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A Peter Pan collar is a flat collar with rounded corners, named after the collar of Maude Adams's costume in the 1905 Broadway production of Peter Pan.
Yes, you can wear a tie with a Peter Pan collar. You can even make your own detachable collar with a tie.
The Peter Pan collar is versatile and can be styled in various ways. Pair it with vintage dresses, modern blazers, or A-line dresses and fitted blouses for a sleek look.
The Peter Pan collar was popularized by Maude Adams in the 1905 production of Peter Pan. It was designed by John White Alexander and his wife in collaboration with Adams.










































