I mostly agree with you Dslave. I'd personally rather have a collar around the neck of my submissives that is at least as functional as it is aesthetically appealing, if not more so. But it's also my opinion that there is no one right way to do much of anything in the BDSM world. We kinky peeps tend to be a diverse and very creative lot.

I think that practical before pretty can be best for collars. In my opinion, It depends on the Dominant's use. Perhaps they merely want something to signify ownership such as the chain collar mentioned by Master_JoeHippy and the collars noted by myri_SN. It's quite easy to strap a functional leather or steel collar around a submissive's throat and over a less functional collar if one chooses to engage in play where a tough, functional collar is required. It can even be considered an additional part of bondage for the parties involved.