Figure 1.--The "V"-neck sweater is probably the most common type of sweater worn in British prep schools. It permits the tie to show. Grey was the most common color, but blue, red, and other colors were also worn.
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Figure 1.--The "V"-neck sweater is probably the most common type of sweater worn in British prep schools. It permits the tie to show. Grey was the most common color, but blue, red, and other colors were also worn. |
Sweaters were a staple at most schools. At most schools blazers were not worn in the classroom. We noticed several different types of sweaters worn at prep schools. The differnt types were primarily associated with either the collar or the sleeves. V-neck long sleeve sweaters were the most common, but a few schools had sleeveless sweaters. The sleeveless sweaters were always done as V-necks. Some others had crew-necks, but the v-neck was by far the most common. This is in part because ties were often worn with sweaters. We also noted a kind of military style cre-neck sweater with padding on one sholder. One of these military-style sweaters can be seen here, the blue swearter in the image (figure 1). While these were the standard sweater types, they of course came in many different colors and varied trim. A few schools had turtlenecks, but these were mostly done more as shirts rather than sweaters.
Schools had sweaters with different types of collars. V-neck, long sleeve sweaters were the most common sweater worn at the prep schools, but a few schools had sleeveless V-neck sweaters. Some others had crew-necks, but the v-neck was by far the most common. The crew-neck sweaters were always done as long-sleeve sweaters. This is in part because many schools required that ties be worn and the "V" neck allowed the tie to be seen. It was rather poinless to wear ties with crew-neck sweaters. A few schools had turtlenecks, but these were mostly done more as shirts rather than sweaters. We also notice a few schools had sweaters that had collars like a shirt with pointed tips. These were not very common, but we noted them occassionaly.
There were two options for sleeves, long-sleeve and sleeveless. Most schools had long-sleeved sweaters. The long-sleeve sweaters were by far the most popular tyoe. We noted a few schools with sleeveless sweaters. At most schools, the school selected the sleeve type. At some schools the students had a choice, they could cloose either the sleeveless or sleeve styles and both were available with the appropriate trim. Some pupils wore the two different types seasonally. The sleeveless sweaters were always done as V-necks. Long-sleeve sweaters were worn by both boys and girls, but we have not noted girls wearing sleeveless sweaters.
We also noted a kind of military style cre-neck sweater with padding on one sholder. This is a style which seems to have appeaed after World War II. It may have become opular because it was used in cadets. One of these military-style sweaters can be seen here, the blue swearter in the image (figure 1). While these were the standard sweater types, they of course came in many different colors and varied trim.
