What is the purpose of an extension neckband on (vintage (style)) workshirts?

[ilikeworkwear]

I’ve got a Ralph Lauren chambray with one and it looks neat. I like the utilitarian appeal it adds to the shirt but I wonder if it’s actually that useful in any sort of way. Much like epaulettes I guess, except I don’t like epaulettes. But at least I think epaulettes were made for suspenders?

 

[double00]

tab collar ? keeps the tie neat

 

[mhip]

tab collar ? keeps the tie neat

And I thought epaulettes, other than rank, were a place to stash your C*nt-cap?

 

[JohnnyLaw]

I can't answer your question, but there's some interesting information and many examples of vintage shirts here:

A Brief History of the Work Shirt - 1900-1930

Hey there everyone, I'm back with another blog post, this time after I started writing an email reply about how work shirts have changed over time. Admittedly, this is a bit of a rough sketch attempt I'll make below, but I want to go into some detail to explain how styles changed (and didn't) in...

the-rite-stuff.com

A Brief History of the Work Shirt, Part 2 - 1930-1940

And we're back! But wait, you're probably thinking,

the-rite-stuff.com

 

[double00]

And I thought epaulettes, other than rank, were a place to stash your C*nt-cap?

lol did you serve ? i've never heard that i had to look it up

 

[mhip]

lol did you serve ? i've never heard that i had to look it up

Nah...but my dad was in Korea.

 

[ilikeworkwear]

I can't answer your question, but there's some interesting information and many examples of vintage shirts here:

A Brief History of the Work Shirt - 1900-1930

Hey there everyone, I'm back with another blog post, this time after I started writing an email reply about how work shirts have changed over time. Admittedly, this is a bit of a rough sketch attempt I'll make below, but I want to go into some detail to explain how styles changed (and didn't) in...

the-rite-stuff.com

A Brief History of the Work Shirt, Part 2 - 1930-1940

And we're back! But wait, you're probably thinking,

the-rite-stuff.com

I obsessively read these two articles maybe a few times a week. It’s a shame how hard it is to find info on early 20th century workwear. Also, I’m having a hard time finding 1930s sears clothing catalogs for some reason online

 

[JohnnyLaw]

If I were to guess, I'd say that the extended neckband might help prevent the top button from pulling. It could spread the tension between two buttons.

Edit: Another idea is that it might be a way to loosen the collar while still keeping the shirt buttoned to the top. There's a photo in part 2 that shows a man wearing it this way (on right): https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1...1cf515dedf088d0d4c_1024x1024.jpg?v=1555250218

 

[ilikeworkwear]

If I were to guess, I'd say that the extended neckband might help prevent the top button from pulling. It could spread the tension between two buttons.

Edit: Another idea is that it might be a way to loosen the collar while still keeping the shirt buttoned to the top. There's a photo in part 2 that shows a man wearing it this way (on right): https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1...1cf515dedf088d0d4c_1024x1024.jpg?v=1555250218

I didn’t even notice he was wearing his shirt like that until you mentioned it, and I even have that photo saved on my phone 😆

 

[TimothyF]

I don't overthink it. If the sizing is S M L, then the extension band is for those gentlemen with extra large necks (relative to rest of their bodies). Or who prefer a loose neck for comfort

 

[comrade]

I can't answer your question, but there's some interesting information and many examples of vintage shirts here:

A Brief History of the Work Shirt - 1900-1930

Hey there everyone, I'm back with another blog post, this time after I started writing an email reply about how work shirts have changed over time. Admittedly, this is a bit of a rough sketch attempt I'll make below, but I want to go into some detail to explain how styles changed (and didn't) in...

the-rite-stuff.com

A Brief History of the Work Shirt, Part 2 - 1930-1940

And we're back! But wait, you're probably thinking,

the-rite-stuff.com

Even General MacArthur had a collar (extension) tab on his army shirt:

 

[double00]

lol what ? come on , it straightens the collar and helps keep the tie neat , similar to the interior waist button of trousers , the one that crosses the fly

this isn't hard folks haha

 

[JohnnyLaw]

It's not the same as a tab collar, which is meant to be worn with a tie. Note that the tabs are on the points to help keep them in place. https://propercloth.com/collar-styles/tab

We're talking about the extended neckband on vintage workshirts. These shirts were marketed to factory workers, farmers, tradesmen, etc. They were clearly not meant to be worn with ties. If you look at the old ads and catalogs, you can see that they had 2 major selling points: durability and comfort. The extended neckband detail is surely related to one or the other.

 

[zippyh]

Mister Freedom brand claims
The "chin strap" (or "throat latch") may have become a gimmicky staple of 1930's workwear 'Heritage Fashion' for contemporary labels, but originally served the purpose of keeping one's shirt collar buttoned-up on the job, yet adjustable for comfort.