Figure 1.--The English peaked school cap first appeared in mid-19th century, initially as a games (sports) item. It was ubiquitous by the turn-of-the 20th century and very widely worn through the 1950s. It came in many different colors and detailing elements. Notice the red piping onlt the blue caps these boys are wearing. After World War II it began to decline in popularity, especially by the 1950s. By the 1980s it was only worn at a declining number of prep schools. Interestingly, it was still used as a games cap, especially for cricket whioch it how it first appeared in the 19th century.

We note many kinds of school headwear being wirn over time. There were substantial differences between countries. We are not sure of school headwear styles before the modern era. We note European and American boys in the early 19th century wearing a military peaked cap, often with tassle. This was based on military caps worn during the Napoleoniv Wars. At mid-century we have seen boys at English private schools (preparatory and public) wearing mortor boards which was a style first adopted at medival universities. We also note the appearance of the English school cap, a style which was first worn at private schools, but eventually becme a standard school style at state schools as well. The school cap would be commonly worn through thr 1950s and is still worn at a few prep schools. Germamn schools did not have school unifirms, but secondary schools did have uniform caps--a military-styled peaked cap. This style was worn in the mid-19th century and was widely worn in German until World War II. Younger boys wore them even though their schools did not require them. American boys did not have school caps, but the flat cap as so widely worn in the early 20th century that it may be considered a school style. Beanies were also popular. The same might be said about the baseball cap by the 1970s. We see many French boys wearing betets in the early 20th century. Thy were very common until after World War II.

The 18th Century

State supported schools systems were not yet well established, even in Europe and America. As a result, many children did not go to school. Beyond Europe and Anerica, most children did not attend school. The Protestant states of northern Europe had beguin to organize state supported free schools, England was, however, a laggered, although grammr scgools, some of which had evolved into public (private boarding) schools by the 18th century. America had begun to found public schools, at least in the northern colonies. We have very little information on the headwear worn. Paintings show boys wearing tri-cornered hsts to school in the 18th century. Some schools in England had destinctive uniforms with destinctive headwear,

The 19th Century

Our information on 19th century school headwear, especially the early-19th century, is still very limited. We note European and American boys in the early 19th century wearing a military peaked cap, often with a tassle. This was based on military caps worn during the Napoleonic Wars. We think these caps were also worn in Britain and Europe. We know much more after the invention of photography at mid-century vastly increased the number of available images. We have seen boys at English private schools (preparatory and public) wearing mortor boards which was a style first adopted at medival universities. Some schools had other destinctive styles based on historic traditions. We also note the appearance of the English school cap and the boater. We also notice tams. German schools did not have school uniforms, but secondary schools did have uniform caps--a military-styled peaked cap. This style was worn in the mid-19th century. Younger boys also began wearing sailor styles. We note military styles in several European countries, including France and Russia. Few American schools had uniforms. We see boys wearing wearing a variety of caps and hats. Rounded-crown hats seem particularly popilar at mid-century and were commonly worn into the 1890s, esoecially in frural areas. Japan in the late-19th century adopted Prussian-style cadet caps for their new school system.

The 20th Century

We note school children wearing many styles of headweatr to school. This included both uniform and non-uniform styles. The various styles were notable for their variation from country to country. The peaked school cap was standard schoowear in Britain at the turn of the 20th century. These caps were worn in other countries as well, but no where were they as popular as in Britain. It was a style which was first worn at private schools, beginning as sports wear. Eventually becme a standard school style at state schools as well. The school cap would be commonly worn through the 1950s and is still worn at a few prep schools. German boys wore various caps and hats. The most common style was the peaked-military cap. They were widely worn in German until World War II. Younger boys wore them even though their schools did not require them. Sailor styles were also worn to school. American boys except boys at a few private schools did had did not have school caps, but the flat cap was widely worn in the early-20th century that it may be considered a school style. Beanies were also popular. There were also a variety of cold weather caps. The same might be said about the baseball cap by the 1970s. We see many French boys wearing betets in the early 20th century. Thy were very common until after World War II. Japanese boys continued to wear cadet caps an Japanese Army although after World war II this changed. The Japanese Army caps were dropped and the cadet caps continued mostly in secondary schools. Primary schools adopted various styles like baseball caps and rounded-crown hats, often with chin straps. Often bright colors were chosen. The major trend after World war II in the second half of the 20th century was declining use of headwear. British children continue to wear school caps, especially at schools which required unifiorms for a while, but by the 1960s even these schools began to drop cap requirements. Headwear was not very common in America by the 1950s, except during the winter or on rainy days. Berets disappered from French schools. Japan was one of the few places where headwear coninued to be commonly worn, primarily because the schools insisted on it.

The 21st Century

Headwear trends underway in the late-20th century carried over into the 21st century. For the most part, destinctive national styles have disappeared. Headwear was not very common as schoolwear. We do note boys in America and other countries wearing baseball caps. An exception to the decline in headwear was winter wear. We note headwear during the cold winter weather and to an extent on rainy days. Stocking caps were popular in America during the winter. School uniform caps and other headwear was rate in Britain, except at aivate schools. We do not see many European children wearing headwear to school. Even in countries like New Zealand where traditional uniforms were cpmmon, headwear was not. An exception was some primary schools adopting sun-safe clothing, sometimes with uniforms. This was commonly baseball caps with a back flap and wide-brimmed hats. Japan was a rare exception to headwear. While many secondary schools dropped headwear as part of the uniform, many primary schools continued to insist on headwear. Baseball caps and rounded-crown hats were the most common styles, but there were others.

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Created: 4:09 AM 12/30/2007
Last updated: 12:26 AM 8/9/2011