There is always a rumour that the Sailors had long collars because their hair was soaked in pomade to keep the long braids in shape. In short, this is nonsense, because when these collars appeared, the hair was already short. And when it was current in the 18th century, there was nothing to protect it except a band around the hair. Nelson even had hair powder on his uniform, you can still see it today.
The collar itself seems to have its origins in civilian dress, as it was often the source of inspiration. Towards the end of the 1820s, shirt collars generally became longer, reaching almost to the cheeks, and a wide cravat was worn with them. You can see it so well here on Sir Ross.
Nelsons Undressed Uniform Coat with the powder on the back (x) - Commander James Clark Ross, 1800-62, by John Robert Wildman 1834 (x)
Only the Sailors didn’t wear a cravat and the collars were long.
ALT
A First Class Pretty Officer with blue collar (x) - King Edward VII (1841-1910), when Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, 1846 (x)
This fashionable appearance can be seen in the Royal Navy as well as in the US Navy. It’s just that the Americans started to wear the collar even longer for purely aesthetical reasons. This trend then spilled over to England and in the 1840s the classic sailor shirt developed as we know it, white with a blue collar, because the sailors of the Royal Yacht were given this as a uniform shirt. When Little Prince Albert wore a children’s version in 1846, the Sailor Suit was born.
It was only in 1857 that the Royal Navy introduced it as a regular uniform.
I hope I could help you and wish you a pleasant evening.
ALT
