peter pan collar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFashion, Everyday (when discussing clothing)
Quick answer
What does “peter pan collar” mean?
A flat collar with rounded ends that lies flat against the garment, typically on a blouse or dress.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flat collar with rounded ends that lies flat against the garment, typically on a blouse or dress.
A style of collar characterized by its rounded, unfitted edges, often associated with a youthful, classic, or vintage aesthetic in fashion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes a classic, preppy, or sometimes childlike style in both cultures.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, primarily confined to fashion contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “peter pan collar” in a Sentence
[garment] with a peter pan collara peter pan collar on [garment]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “peter pan collar” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She chose a peter-pan-collared dress for the party.
American English
- The peter-pan-collar blouse is back in style.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in fashion retail or manufacturing.
Academic
Rare, potentially in historical or cultural studies of fashion.
Everyday
Used when describing clothing items.
Technical
Used in pattern-making and garment design terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “peter pan collar”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “peter pan collar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “peter pan collar”
- Capitalizing all words ('Peter Pan Collar') in running text is unnecessary. Using it to describe any small collar, rather than specifically a flat, rounded one.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in standard running text it is usually written in lowercase, as it has become a common noun for the style.
Historically, yes, they appeared in some historical and theatrical menswear. In contemporary fashion, they are overwhelmingly found on womenswear and children's clothing.
A Johnny collar is similar but typically has a V-shape at the front, while a peter pan collar is fully rounded.
It is a classic, recurring style in fashion but is not a ubiquitous, everyday item. It sees periodic revivals in vintage and preppy trends.
A flat collar with rounded ends that lies flat against the garment, typically on a blouse or dress.
Peter pan collar is usually fashion, everyday (when discussing clothing) in register.
Peter pan collar: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpiːtə ˈpæn ˈkɒlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpiːt̬ɚ ˈpæn ˈkɑːlɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Peter Pan's classic costume; his collar is flat and round, never growing up to be pointed.
Conceptual Metaphor
YOUTH IS A ROUNDED COLLAR (based on the association with the eternally youthful character).
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining feature of a peter pan collar?