Figure 1.--Perhaps the most destintive aspect with the uniforms at boarding schools is that mostly the boys wears jumpers and not their blazers during a normal school day. Grey V-neck jumpers which went with the ies wee the most common,but quite a few schools had colored jumpers. This was the one part of the uniform that was optional,but they were very common except for the summer term. Andcevenb duriung the summer there were often chilly days when the jumpers were wirn.

Here we will not repeat that information, but discuss only the specific uniform topics associated specifically with boarding schools. While the uniforms were essentially the same, there were some differences between the two groups as pertaining to the uniforms. Most schools required the day children to come to school dressed in their blazers and ties. Some still required caps as well. After arriving at school they would put away their blazers and in some cases take off their ties. Boarders on the other hand often did not commonly wear blazers at school, except for formal occassions, traveling for school teams, and on sunday for church. We note a few schools that had very destinctive uniforms for every day wear and for dressing up. These were normally boarding schools. Also boarders brought to school items like pajamas and bathrobes. These were required items, but not uniform items as they were all different. All boys werev expected to have dressing gowns (few call them bath robes in the UK). These are usually worn going to and from showers/baths, after getting ready for bed on an evening and during fire evacuation tests. There is no direction given as to style etc and a vast range of fabrics, patterns and colours are used. The boarding schools caried as to uniform regulations after the school day. Some schools allowed the children to change into casual clothes. The same was true on the weekends.

Day Children

Most prep schools were once mostly boarding schools. Some did not even accept day children. Others accepted only a small number. This has gradually changed as parental attitudes toward boarding younger children has shifted. Today day children are important at most preparatory boarding schools. Often they tend to be younger boys, but some older boys are also day students. Some boarding schools have even converted to day schools. The schools often require the day children to come to school dressed in their blazers and ties. Some still required caps as well. Some schools had casual summer uniforms that the day childre wore to school, but this was not very common. After arriving at school they would put away their blazers and in some cases take off their ties. And then in the evening the children dress up again to go home. Some schools are stricter than others to ensure that they are smartly kitted out. Here schedules can vary somewhat, but there is commonly a specific time for the children to be picked up. There are variatiins with the size and location of the school.

Boarders

The uniforms worn by boarders tended to vary depebding on wether it was a normal school day or various special occassions. Boarders often did not commonly wear either caps or blazers at school. They generally were expected to dress up when traveling to school and returning home. They also dressed up for formal occassions, traveling for school teams, and on sunday for church. The basic attire at boarding school during the school day tended to be utilitarian. We note boys wearing basically shirts and trousers. Jumpers (sweaters) were an optional item worn during cool weather. Most schools required ties, but not all. Especially during the summer a few schools dropped the tie requirement. Socks might vary seasonally. Knee socks were most common for the boys wearing short trousers. Ankle socks were worn during the summer at some schools. Footwear varied while at school. We note both sandals and shoes. The sandals were mostly closed-toe sandals, but a few schools did not spdecuify the type, We noted a few schools that diring the summer had the boys wear sandals without socks.

Evening Approaches

The boarding schools varied as to uniform regulations after the school day. Some schools allowed the children to change into casual clothes. The same was true on the weekends. At most schools, however, the children continued to wear the basic school in the evening after classess. This commonly included neck ties when the school was required during the day. Very few schools that had ties allowed the children to take off their ties whike still wearing the school uniform.

Destinctive Uniforms

Some schools had casual uniforms for summer wear. This sas especially common in southern England. At these schools the boys often put on their blazers for spdecial occassions, esentially wearing the winter uniform. The specific rules varied from school to school. We note a few schools that had very destinctive uniforms for every day wear and for dressing up. These were normally boarding schools. Several schools had corduroy uniforns, both corduroy jackets and pants. These in some cases were evey day school uniforms. At some of these schools the boys wore blazers and regular pants when dressing up for special occassions.

Night Clothes

Also boarders brought to school items like pajamas and bathrobes. Boarders in the 19th century wore night shirts. Pajamas after the tun of the 20th century rapidly became standard. These were required items, but not uniform items as they were all different. All boys werev expected to have dressing gowns (few call them bath robes in the UK). These are usually worn going to and from showers/baths, after getting ready for bed on an evening and during fire evacuation tests. There is no direction given as to style etc and a vast range of fabrics, patterns and colours are used.

E-Mail:

---

Navigate the British Preparatory Schools E-Book
[Return to the Main Boarding School Uniform page]
[Contributions] [FAQs] [Organization] [Photography] [Reader Input] [Questions]
[Table of Contents]
[Return to the British Preparatory Schools Boarding Home Page]