Figure 1.--The boys at this Scottish school all wear srandard blue blazers with the school crest. The senior boys wear the exact same blazer.

The blazer originated at exclusive private schools in England, but has been adopted for school wear by state and private schools in many countries around the world. British boys once wore blazers in a wide range of solid colors and stripes with caps to match. American boys commonly wear blazers as a kind of informal dress wear with khakis or grey flannel trousers. In most countries, however, the blazer is commonly associated with school weat. It has been most popular in Empire countries, but is worn in other countries as well. The ise of the blazer has declined in many Empire countries, especially during warm weather. It is srill, however, commonly worn at British schools, although the standard blacl blazer is becoming increasingly common.

Australia

Most state schools in Australia no longer require blazers. Some of the private schools, however, still have them. They are mostly worn by senior boys. Junior boys generally wear open-necked shirts or jumpers for ordinary school days. Some preparatory schools require blazers. Once both private and state secondary schools generrally required blazers or some kind of suit jacket. The blazer is today primarily worn by private school boys, both prep schools and secondary schools, although some of the schools have suits rather than blazers. They come in a wide range of colors, although blazers in Australia have generally been more subduded than the many bright colors and stripes that English preparatory school boys once wore

Chile

Chilean state secondary schools require boys and girls to wear a standard navy blue blazer with grey skirts or trousers.

England

It is in England where it originated that the school blazer was mos widely worn and worn in such great variety.

New Zealand

Blazers used to be commonly worn at New Zealand secondry schools. This no longer is the case. Blazers are worn at a few private preparatory schools, but at few secondary schools--even the private schools. Most schools, however, still have blazers, but they are usually only worn by senior boys. The junior boys mostly wear shirts and jumpers.

Scotland

Scottish school bazers were esentially the same as as Englisg blazers. Tweed jackets were more popular in Scotland, but they were usually worn in addition to rather than instead of blazers. Often Scottish schools had a blazer for every day wear and tweed jackets for formal occasions to be worn with kilts.

South Africa

Many South African school children wear British-style school blazers. A South African reader writes, "As I understand it and have noticed in this country, red is a very popular colour for a school blazer. Indeed, it does look most smart and attractive on a schoolboy who has bearing and wears his uniform with confidence. In some high schools in this country, the red blazer is strictly reserved for the Head Boy or Girl or it is worn as a 'Honours' blazer for those who have excelled in sport and/or academics. It is worn with distinction and pride and it sets the pupil apart in a more respected rank from fellow pupils."

United States

American boys who have not traditionally worn school blaxzers. The public (state) schools who are introducing school uniforms do not normally make blazers part of the uniform. The prestigious private schools which have modeled themselves on British schools have required dark suits or tweed sport jackets, but usually no brightly-colored school blazers.

Created: September 20, 2002
Last updated: May 22, 2004