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Several English public (private boarding) schools are centuries old. They accepted boys of a wide age range. Preparatory schools are much more recent in foundation. The first prep schools appeared in the mid-19th century to provide for the needs of younger boys. Public schgools at he time were rough places, often dangerous for younger boys. Many new public schools were founded in the mid-19th century to meet the needs of an expanding Empire. Reforms improved standards at the schools. Most of the new schools had uniforms, often more modern than the the older scholls. Many prep schools were established in the late 19th century just as uniforms were becoming established. The prep schools were designed for young boys and to prepare them for the public schools. Most attempted to follow the organization and ethos of public schools. At the time most public schools had uniforms, in many cases very strictly enforced uniforms. The Eton School uniform was the most famous. Most of the schools seem to have standard sack suits. Eton collars in particular were very common. We also see a lot of boys wearing knickers. As best we can tell the uniforms at prep schools were more informal, although out 19th century archice is limited. Many prep schools seem to have had more dress codes than strict uniforms. The small size of many prep schools may have been a factor here as well as the lack of tradition at school new schools. Like the public school, the preparatory school had a dautingly long list for the boys school kit. The games (sports) items could be especially involved. But also people in the late-19th and early-20th century dressed up much more than is the case today. We begin to see sandardized uniforms more commonly by the tutn-of-the 20th century. Long pants suits seem common as well as the pervasive Eton collar. Prep schools were quite strict about the uniform and how it was worn. By the 1910s we begin to see more boys wearing knee pants, but knickers do not seem very common. We note both long stockings and knee socks. A major change occurred after World War I (1914-18). We see most schools adopting short panbts uniforms. School sandals also became added to the unifrm. The standard prep school uniform in the mid-20th century included a cap, blazer, tie, jumper (sweater), grey or white long-sleeved shirt, grey short trousers, kneesocks, and school sandals. This continued well after World War II (1939-45). Schools began adopting more simple uniforms (1970s). This reflected changing dress standards as well as cost factors. Quite a number of prep schools closed. We also see more boys wearing long pants at the schools.
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[The 1880s]
[The 1890s]
[The 1900s]
[The 1910s]
[The 1920s]
[The 1930s]
[The 1940s]
[The 1950s]
[The 1960s]
[The 1970s]
[The 1980s]
Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Long pants suits]
[Short pants suits]
[Socks]
[Eton suits]
[Jacket and trousers]
[Blazer
[School sandals
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