English School Uniform: Garments--Coats


Figure 1.--The duffle coat was a popular garment to wear to school on a cold day during the winter. This boy attends a state primary school with a uniform. The children, however, could choose their own coats. He is on his way home after school. Note how his kneesocks have fallen down.

The coat was an important part of an English boys uniform. Given the often rainy and chilly weather, the coat was often worn to school. British boys have worn both long overcoats as well as more informal heavy jacket style coats. There are some class differences here. Affluent boys going to private schools often wore formal overcoats than boys from less affluent families going to state schools. Many boys going to private schools until the 1970s had rather formal gaberdine overcoats. In fact, the overcoat that many English boys will remember is the gaberdine overcoat. Another standard was the less formal duffle coat which was more widely worn and a common choice at both state and private schools. Many other types of coats have been worn by British boys. In recent years more brightly colored, heavily insulated ski jackets have become popular.

Chronology

The preferred outer wear at most preparatory from about 1950-75 was either a duffel coat or gaberdine overcoat/raincoat in the color of the school. We are less sure about the requirements or practices at other types of schools.other types of schools.

Types

England is located fairly far nort, but te Culf Stream moderates the temperature. Even so, the winter is cold ebough that children need a coat or heavy jacket. We note English children wearing a wide range of coats and jackets. British boys have worn both long overcoats as well as more informal heavy jacket style coats. This depended somewhat on the type of school and social class. Many boys going to private schools until the 1970s had rather formal overcoats. The gaberdine overcoat was a standard, but not the only style. In fact, the overcoat that many English boys will remember is the gaberdine overcoat. Boys sattending state schools were more likely to wear heavy jackets. Another standard was the less formal duffle coat which was more widely worn and a common choice at both state and private schools. We also notice pea jackets. Many other types of coats have been worn by British boys. In recent years more brightly colored, heavily insulated ski jackets have become popular.

Class Connotations

T here are some class differences here. Affluent boys going to private schools often wore formal overcoats than boys from less affluent families going to state schools. Overcoats were more expesive than jsackets. Many boys going to private schools until the 1970s had rather formal gaberdine overcoats. In fact, the overcoat that many English boys will remember is the gaberdine overcoat.

Gender


School Rules

It was mostly private schools that had uniform coats. Private schools tended to have more elaborate uniforms. An important factor here was cost. Winter coats can be costly. Not all families in state schools can easily afford a special uniform coat. Thus few state schools had them. This bothered some headmasters. One sollution was to have at least have a uniform color. A good example was uniform rules adopted at the Harrow County School for Boys in 1965.

Individual Experiences.

Several HBC readers have mentioned their school coats in the individual experiences pahes. One detailed account is Bill's experiences in London during the 1960s and 70s.

Sources

Jane Clifford, e-mail message, July 17, 2002.






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Created: November 1, 2001
Last updated: 9:13 PM 8/13/2009