Figure 1.--Many prep schools had uniforms which required short trousers, usually with kneesocks. This was evem during the winter, although some schools had seasonal uniforms. Rules about short and long trousers varied from school to school. |
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Various schools had different rules about uniform trousers. Almost all of the prep schools had required uniforms. At some schools there was a mix of short and long trousers. At some schools all the boys wore long trousers. At other schools all the boys wore short trousers. At most schools both short and long trousers were worn. Here the rules varied. At some schools it was an optional matter. Often when shorts were made optional, most boys tened to wear long trousers. At some schools it was seasonal. At many schools there were rules about who could wear long trousers. Generally it was done by age. Some schools had height rules, but these were generally replaced by age rules or in a few instances class (form) rules. Many schools encouraged the boys to wear short trousers. I am not sure precisely why that was. I think it is primarily a matter of tradition. Many schools tended to be traditional. A reader tells us, "I went to a prep school in the north of England. While shorts were strongly encouraged at my own school, they were only compulsory for boys up to the age of 10. Admittedly a few of us stayed in short trousers beyond that age but that was mainly because we worked out that it was an effective way of courting favour with the headmaster. (The two of us who were still in shorts for the top year were both made prefects, even though my behaviour was a long way from deserving such an accolade!) However the large majority of boys were in long trousers throughout the year, and for the schools who visited us for sporting events, longs were very much the order of the day." Here we did notice a chronological factor. Short trousers were still quite common in the 1970s, but this began to change in the 1980s. Many schools were adjusting their rules toward trousers with a gradual shift toward long trousers.
Various schools had different rules about uniform trousers. Almost all of the prep schools had required uniforms. At some schools there was a mix of short and long trousers. At some schools all the boys wore long trousers. At other schools all the boys wore short trousers. At most schools both short and long trousers were worn. Here the rules varied. There was virtually no school that had precisely the same rules.
There were several approaches to wearing long and short troysers at different prep schools. This was quite important to some boys who were amxious to wear long trousers. Sme of these approaches were more common than others and have varied over time. The most common rule was asn age rule, but the specific age varied from school to school. There was, however, some other approaches used at the various schools. And there were various complications such as schools that had everyday and dress uniforms. And the trends concerning these rules have tended to change over time,
Some schools had every day school uniforms and special dress uniforms. At these schools the trousrs were different fpr everyday wear than for the dress uniform. Some schools had cord shorts for every day, but terrelyn shorts or longs for the dress uniform. In some schools the everyday uniform was shorts, but the dress uniform was longs. At other schools There were rules sanout wearing long trousers for the dress uniform justv as there was for the everyday school uniform.
Many schools encouraged the boys to wear short trousers. I am not sure precisely why that was. I think it is primarily a matter of tradition. Many schools tended to be traditional. A reader tells us, "I went to a prep school in the north of England. While shorts were strongly encouraged at my own school, they were only compulsory for boys up to the age of 10. Admittedly a few of us stayed in short trousers beyond that age but that was mainly because we worked out that it was an effective way of courting favour with the headmaster. (The two of us who were still in shorts for the top year were both made prefects, even though my behaviour was a long way from deserving such an accolade!) However the large majority of boys were in long trousers throughout the year, and for the schools who visited us for sporting events, longs were very much the order of the day."
Parents could also be a factor as to whether boys wore short or long trousers. Here most parents followed the school rules. They also generally bought their sons long pants as soon as they qualified for them. But this was not always the case. Generally at the schools, boys were allowed to wear long trousers at a certain age, but there was not requirement that they wear longs. One headmaster pointed out to us a boy in short trousers. He was the inly boy in his form wearing shorts because his mother had ignored the instructions in the uniform clothing list. Some mothers thought it was a good idea for them t wear shorts, especially during the summer term. In some cases the parents were over seas and there were delays as to when boys got their long trousers. We spoke to a boy whose parents were in Nigeria. He was quite irritated that they had not yet sent the money for his new long trousers. And there was the boy who had torn his new long trousers and whose mother had btought out his still serviceable short pants rather than buying a new pair of longs.
Here we did notice a chronological factor. Short trousers were still quite common in the 1970s, but this began to change in the 1980s. Many schools were adjusting their rules toward trousers with a gradual shift toward long trousers.
