'upright-collared' is a Modern English compound formed from the adjective 'upright' and the participial adjective 'collared', where 'upright' meant 'standing up' and 'collar' meant 'neckband'.

'collar' entered English via Old North French/Old French from Latin 'collare' (from 'collum' meaning 'neck'); 'upright' comes from Old English elements ('up' + 'riht/riht(e)') meaning 'up' and 'straight/right', and the compound 'upright-collared' arose in modern usage by combining these elements.

Initially, the component words referred separately to 'upright' (standing) and 'collar' (neckband); combined as 'upright-collared' the meaning has remained descriptive of clothing with a collar worn standing up, with little semantic shift over time.