|
The modern blazer was created at English public schools, initially as an item of sports wear. Eventually it became the standard formal dress wear at prep schools. Reflecting the blaers sporting origins, some schools also had suits for especially formal occassions. Almost all schools had blazers or suit jackets. The destinctive blazers helped identify the students. There were a few schools, without blazers, but not very many. A few schools had both blazers and suits. Most schools did not have the children weae their blazers during the school day. The blzers were worn by both the boys and girls. Blazers were done in a wide range of colors, often bright colors. We found blue, black, brown, green, grey, pink, red, and yellow blazers. There were even stripped blazers done in various colors. Black blazers by the 1980s were becoming somewhat more common than earlier, in part because the stripped blazers were more expensive. The children often wore a variety of buttons and badges on their blazers as well as the school crest.
The modern blazer was created at English public schools, initially as an item of sports wear. Eventually it became the standard formal dress wear at prep schools. Reflecting the blazers sporting origins, some schools also had suits for especially formal occassions.
Almost all British prep schools had blazers or suit jackets. The blazers with their destinctive colors omce helped identify the students. In recent years many of the brightly colored or stripped blazers have been replaced with more subduded blue or black blazers so they are no longer as destinctive. Despite these changes, most schools still do have blazers as part of their uniforms. There were a few schools, without blazers, but not very many. Blazers are not commonly worn at many f the schools even though they are part of the rquired unidorm. At many schools the day boys put them away as soon as they arrive at school. At a few schools they di not even normally even wear them to school. Blazers do, however, continue to be part of the standard uniform. At one time caps and blazers were worn at virtually every prep school. While most schools seem to have generally retired caps, this is not the situation with the blazers. This is the case because of tradition minded headmasters and parents. The boys themselves tend to be much less appreciative of the blazers.
Some schools had suits, almost always grey suits, rather than blazers. While blazers were by far the primary alternative, there were a few schools whhere the boys wore suits. A few schools had both blazers and suits. This seems to have been once more common than it now is. The suits were worn for formal occassions. Generally the blazers were part of the everyday uniform and the suits were the dress uniform.
The use of the blazer differed, but there were some common approaches during the ordinary school day. Most schools did not have the children wear their blazers during the school day. This varied, however, from school to school. The children at some schools wore their blazers during the day, but this was not very common. This normally ocurred at day schools. The boys at quite a few of the day schools we visited had many boys wearing their blazers. This was not required, but left up to the boys. Normally some boys did and others didn't. This was much less common at boarding schools. Here the schools generally had the boys put away their blazers which were normally worn for speciall occassions such as Sunday chapel. Some schools used the blazers more than others. The most common approch was just for the boys to wear just their shirts with or without a tie or when it was chilly a jumper.
Blazers were worn by both the boys and girls at prep schools. The basic styling was as far as we know for the most part the same. There were a few exceptions. We have noted blazers done in the Eton style without lapels, but only at girls' schools. More commonly girls wear the same blazer styles as boys. Girl's schools often had the most elaborate blazers and gave more attention to them and the uniform generally. . And coed schools the children all wore the same blazers. Girls would wear the blazer over the stanfard school dress during the summer. Here they would not wear ties like the boys. Often sirls wore sweters and skirts during the winter. Here they would again wear the blazer over it. And like the boys they would wear ties.
Blazers were done in a wide range of colors, often bright colors. We found blue, black, brown, green, grey, pink, red, and yellow blazers. The various colors were done n a variety of shades. Blue in particular was done in various shades. There were even stripped blazers done in various colors. The stripes were done in various colors and stripe withs. Another option was a bright color with a narrow black stripe. Black blazers by the 1980s were becoming somewhat more common than earlier, in part because the stripped blazers were more expensive. Navy blue blazers were thge most common. We also some black blazers like the ones commonly worn at comprehensives. Generally more colorful blazers were worn at the prep schools. In fact prep schools were known for their brightly colored blazers. Normally the caps were the same color as the blazer or coordinate with them.
Blazers had several destinctive design features. British school blazers were always made with lapels. These were important because the schools often issued various kinds of pins which the boys proudly wore in their lapels. Blazers were generally made with a patch pocket. This was not always the case, but it was fairly standard because it was a useful place to put the schoiol crest. The destinctive crest or school badge was a very important part of the unigorm. It was sewn on here. There were a wide range of crest designs. Blazers also usually had two side pockets. Suit jackets normsally had flap pockets at the side. Blazers usually did notv have flsps here, Some wrre patch pockets.
The buttons generally matched the color of the blazer. We did not notice brass buttons being used. We note some blazers that did not have the back vent like a suit jacket. We are not entirely sure how common this was.
Some school blazers are detailed with piping. Theis seems to have been more common at public schools than preparatory schools. The more fancy blazers seem to have also been more common at girls' schools. Piping is the decorative trim used to edge a blazer it is normally done in a contrasting color. This was more common earlier, but the trend by the 1980s was for simpler brazers to keep the cost low.
The children often wore a variety of buttons and badges on their blazers as well as the school crest. The school crest or logo was worn on the breast pocket of blazers, but not on the suit jacket. Some times especially as black blazers have become more common, this is ll that destinguishes the blazers of different schools. The plin black blazer, however, has not become as common at prep schools as it has at secondary schools in the state system. Most school had crests, but a few had more styilized logos. The crest was also often on the school cap, although by the 1980s many schools were doing away with the caps. The children also wore badges like prefect badges on their blazers, usually on the lapels. At many schools there were also house badges of different types. These were often simple color pins. Houses were different than in public schools, but still important in the running of the schools.
Blazers were most commonly worn by the children coming and going to school. Once at school the children generally put their blazers away and just wore their shirts and sweaters. Some schools did away with blazers entirely for the summer term, but most retained the blazers year round. Blazers were also worn when dressing up for special occassions such as when important visitors were coming to the school. They were also worn for church on sunday or for events like field trips.
