Figure 1.--This is the fifth form in an English secodary school during 1944. I am not sure what kind of school it was. I am also unsure why one boy wears a blazer and the other boys suits.

The British school uniform as we now know it became widely worn in the 1920s as soft collars and ties replaced Eton collars. These basic styles have been little changed since the 1920s. The styles were primarily set at the prestigious public schools and followed at state schools. Primary schools did not require uniforms, but clothing styles were strongly affected by hat was being worn at Public and prepartory schools. State secondary schools were still relatively limited until after World War I. Many of the schools that did exist began requiring uniforms, usually following styles adopted at the public schools. While the styles adopted by schools in the 1920s continue to be worn today, there have been some changes. The peaked caps once so common are now little worn. The school sandals once worn with a narrow center strap now mostly have wide straps and look more like shoes. The major change has been in the trousers worn by boys. Short pants once so common are in the 1990s much less commonly worn, but there are still some schools that continue to require them for the younger boys.

Early 20th Century (1900-18)

Boys at public schools and prepschools continued wearing the styles set in the late 19th century boys commonly wore peaked caps and Eton collars. Blazers were still mostly sports war. Knickers began to decline in popularity and were replaced by knee pants and long stockings. By the 1910s the short pants and kneesocks introduced by Lord Baden Powell's nasent Boy Scout movement had begun to make inroads at prep schools. State prinmary schools still did not require uniforms. State secondary schools, many of which required fees, did require uniforms, but tended to follow the styles popular at the prestigious public schools.

Inter-war and World War II Era (1919-45)

The British school uniform as we now know it became widely worn in the 1920s as soft collars and ties replaced Eton collars. These basic styles have been little changed since the 1920s. The styles were primarily set at the prestigious public schools and followed at state schools. Primary schools did not require uniforms, but clothing styles were strongly affected by hat was being worn at Public and prepartory schools. Boys at state primary schools began wearing the closed-toe sandals to school that had become popular after World War I. State secondary schools were still relatively limited until after World War I. Many of the schools that did exist began requiring uniforms, usually following styles adopted at the public schools.

Figure 2.--This family was photographed in March 1963 on frozen Lake Windimere. The family was Jennifer Hindshaw with her younger brother and a family friend. The boys went to a private school showing that many private schools at the time required even older boys to wear short pants and kneesocks. Notice the length of the shorts and the fact that the boys are wearing garters to hold up their knee socks. Also that the school uniform was short pants year round--even during the winter.

Post-war Era (1945-70)

School uniforms after the war continued to follow the styles set in the 1920s. This continued through the 1940s and 50s. As part of the social reforms following World War II (1939-45), there wwas a significant expansion of state secondary education. Significant changes in uniforms, however, did not take place until the 1960s. Caps had become very unpopular with boys and were largely dropped in the 1960s, except at traditional preparatory schools. Many secondary schools also began droping requirements that the junior boys wear short trousers. A major reorganization of elementary schools also followed the War. Many new primary schools adopted school uniform requirements in the 1960s. The uniforms were much simpler than worn at preparatory schools, but often included short trousers. School sandals were common at both state schools and preparatory schools.

Late 20th Century (1970-1999)

While the styles adopted by schools in the 1920s continue to be worn in the late 20th century, there have been some changes. The peaked caps once so common virtually disappeared. The school sandals once worn with a narrow center strap now mostly have wide straps and look more like shoes. The major change was in the trousers worn by boys. The baggy shorts still common in the 1950s had by the 1970s become much shorter and trim fitting. While secondary schools generally dropped requirements that boys wear shorts, they were still widely worn in preparatory and primary schools. Many of these schools in the 1980s, however, dropped the short pants requirement intirely or at least for older boys. Short pants by the 1990s much less commonly worn, but there are still some schools that continue to require them for the younger boys. The shorts that are worn by the mid-1990s had become longer. One destinctive characteristivc of the 1970s was the long hair that was popular.

Personal accounts

Some personal accounts are available describing the uniforms worn as schoolboys:


• England--The 1950s
• England--Primary and grammar school: 1950s-60s
• England--Primary and grammar school: 1950s-60s
• England--Primary and grammar school: 1970s
• England--Literary notes
  

Related Links: Careful this will exit you from the Boys' Historical Clothing web site, but both sites are highly recommended

Apertures Press International Project: Pictures at schools in different countries and a book on British schools
Apertures Press New Zealand book: New book on New Zealand schools in progress
Boys' Preparatory Schools: Lovely photographic essay of British preparatory schools with some over 200 color and black and white photographs depicting the schools during the 1980s
School Uniform Web SiteInformative review of British school uniforms with some excellent photographs

Created: November 11, 1999
Last updated: September 7, 2003