Figure 1.--These boys in southern India are going to school. Footwear is not an essential garment at many primary schools. |
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Many Indian boys wear school uniforms at both public (state) and private schools. Not all schools require uniforms, but many do. School uniforms are commonly Western-styled clothes even though traditional clothing is still common in many areas of India. Boys in primary school generally wear a simple shirt and short pants. Caps are not common. And because of the climate neither are ties. The uniform for boys is usually a buttoned-shirt with short sleeves, a pair of plain-colored short pants, socks (often knee socks) and dark lace-up dress shoes. Private schools in particular tend to have uniforms with an English look. It is not uncommon for boys to go to school barefoot. This is most common at public schools, but not unkown at private schools.
Caps are not commonly worn in India. We believe they were during the Raj at private schools, but we no longer see them. Nor do we see any sun-dafe headwear. We have seen turbans at a few private schools. Sikh boys often wear head covering, but not all Sikh boys do so.
Private schools in particular tend to have uniforms with an English look. Many private schools during the Raj had blazers. Some still do, but are only worn on specialmoccassions.
Ties because of the climate neither are ties. Some private schools do have ties, but are usually only worn on special occassions.
I'm not sure about the shirts worn during the Raj at schools. Boys in primary school today generally wear a simple light-weight shirt and short pants. The climate of course is a factor here. The uniform for boys is usually a buttoned-shirt with short sleeves. We note a wide range of shirts. White or light blue shirts are popular. We also see stripes and patterns. Some of the white or light colored shirts have the school logo sewn on to the pockert. I'm less sure about the trends at secondary schools.
Short pabts are worn by the younger boys at many schools. They are very common at both state and private primary schools. They are usually a solid dark color to go with a light-colored shirt. I'm less sure about secondary schools.
It is not uncommon for boys to go to school barefoot. This is most common at public schools, but not unkown at private schools.
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
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[Blazer]
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