Why do sailors have three stripes on their collars?

Answer 1

yes that is true...however the 13 buttons on the dress blue trousers do represent the original 13 colonies each button has an anchor on it and a piece of rope.

Answer 2

The three thin white stripes that are found on the service dress blue uniform of the United States Navy, called 'piping', have a very interesting history. The vast majority of our naval uniform influence comes from the British. There is a belief that the three stripes represent the three major victories of Lord Admiral Nelson...but this is untrue. The piping was placed on the sailor's dress blue uniform to break up the solid blue of the uniform, and does not represent anything.

Answer 3

According to the Royal Naval Handbook for Seamen the stripes are for decoration only and nothing to do with \nelson