** English school uniform garments: Ankle Socks








English School Uniform Garments: Ankle Socks


Figure 1.--English schoolboys commonly wore kneesocks. Some schools, however, adopted ankle socks during the summer or sandals without socks.

While most English school uniforms required knee socks with short trousers, some schools introduced ankle socks for wear during the summer. Usually the dress uniform involves kneesocks and boys during the summer at some schools wear ankle socks as part of the every day uniform. The ankle socks are always grey. A few schools may also have the boys wear ankle socks as part of the formal uniform. Usually these are plain grey knee socks--but a few schools have ankle socks with colored bands in the school colors. Ankle socks are worn with both lace-up shoes, usually black, and sandals, usually brown. During the winter these schools reintroduce knee socks. Of course boys wearing long trousers usually wear ankle socks. Some boys wear knee socks with long trousers, but mostly boys whohad just switched from short to long trousers and have knee socks to wear out. Ankle socks seem to be coming increasingly common. We notice quite a few schools shifting to ankle socks, at least during the summer terms. They are most common with the schools located in southern England. Schools vary as to how strictly they enforce seasonal hosiery rules. We notice several schools in which the children wear ankle or knee socks on a more or less optional basis. Grey ankle socks seem to be most common with boys. Many girls wear white socks, both ankle socks and knee socks.

Chronology

Most English school uniforms required knee socks with short trousers. This was almost universal before World War II. Ankle socks seem to be coming increasingly common. We notice quite a few schools shifting to ankle socks, at least during the summer terms.

Seasonality

Some schools have introduced ankle socks, usually for wear uring the summer. Usually the dress uniform involves kneesocks and boys during the summer at some schools wear ankle socks as part of the every day uniform. During the winter these schools reintroduce knee socks.

Color

The ankle socks for boys are almost always grey. Some schools have white sovks for games, but with the regular uniform the socks are almost always grey. This is probably because grey knee socks are so common. There are a few schools that have other colors of socks. A few schools have blue shoerts worn with blue sicks. One thiingvwe do not see is white socks, at least for boys. Girls commonly wear white socks, but not boys. While socks might be worn for sports, especially cricket, but not with the regular school uniform. Usually these are plain grey knee socks--but a few schools have ankle socks with colored bands in the school colors. This was not very common, but we have noted this at a few schools.

Formal Uniform

The formal uniform is almist alwats worn with knee socks. A few schools may also have the boys wear ankle socks as part of the formal uniform.

Footwear

Ankle socks are worn with both lace-up shoes, usually black, and sandals, usually brown.

Trousers

Knee socks are normally only worn with short pants. Of course boys wearing long trousers usually wear ankle socks. Some boys wear knee socks with long trousers, but mostly boys who had just switched from short to long trousers and have knee socks to wear out.

Regional Trends

Ankle socks are most common with the schools located in southern England.

Philips

Schools vary as to how strictly they enforce seasonal hosiery rules. We notice several schools in which the children wear ankle or knee socks on a more or less optional basis.

Gender

Grey ankle socks seem to be most common with boys. Many girls wear white socks, both ankle socks and knee socks. This varies frpm school to school. We see girls wearing grey ankle socks at some schools, but white socks seem much more common.
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Created: October 24, 2000
Last updated: 5:06 AM 2/20/2009