Shirt Collars. What is the Deal?

So I was at the gym today and I was thinking about collars on shirts. I don't know why but I was thinking about it.

So I thought to myself, why are their collars on shirts? I mean why are they there. When we are just lazing around the house we never have collars on our T-shirts and we are fine. So I went online in search of some answers. Do collars serve any practical purpose, and what happened over time to place such importance on collars? Collars are a necessity in the work place and at social functions. WHY WHY WHY???


Here is a link to some History on collars:
http://www.uaf.edu/theatre/students/resumes/res/collars/collars.html

This link tells a little about the recent history of the collar and how it has developed into its modern state but still tells us nothing about why the collar was ever used in the first place. Usually there is some practical purpose behind fashion even if that purpose has been lost over the centuries. I must find this purpose.

Here is another link that talks a little about this very thing:
http://www.holl.it/eng/HISTORY_shirts_mensshirts.asp

Here is another link about the history of Neckties.
http://www.neckties.com/history.php

After doing all this research it is my conclusion that the collar is simply on a shirt to hold the Tie in place. Shirts such as the polo shirt are no more than fashions attempt to have a T-shirt that has a collar and buttons. It is just a mix between a T-shirt and a Dress Shirt.

Collars are here because of Ties and Ties are here because of a War. What if this War had never happened and no one had ever worn ties. Would there be no Collars? What would businessmen look like today?

It is interesting to think that a few changes in history could completely change the look of the modern man.

What do you think?