Figure 1.--This Australian prep school boy wears a a traditionally styles English school blazer. His blue blazer has white piping. Note matching kneesock trim.

HBC still has relatively limited information about Australian school balzers. Hopefully our Australian readers will provide some information. The use of blazers in Australia varies accoding to the type of school. There has also been varying patterns over time. The age of the boy is another important factor. Most state schools in Australia no longer require blazers. Older boys at some of these schools, however, do wear blazers. Blazers are much more commn at private schools--although they are not alwaysworn as part of the everyday uniform. 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. Piped blazers, however, are popular. Some schools have grey suits. One prep school has a uniquely stlyled blazer.

School Type

The use of blazers in Australia varies accoding to the type of school. There has also been varying patterns over time.

State schools

Most state schools in Australia no longer require blazers. Older boys at some of these schools, however, do wear blazers, often to demonstrate that they have won their school colors. This is rather like American boys wearuing letter jackets, bit a bit more formal.

Private schools

Blazers are much more commn at private schools--although they are not alwaysworn as part of the everyday uniform. 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.

Age

The age of the boy is another important factor. Elementary boys, except for parivate prep school boys do not wear blazers. Older boys at state schools and boys at private secondary schools are nore likely to wear balazers.

Chronology

Once both private and state secondary schools generrally required blazers or some kind of suit jacket. The school blazer was still quite common up untill World War II (1939-45). Since the War the use o tyhe blazer has declined as school uniforms have become much morte casual.

Styles

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. The styling is basically the English school blazer. 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. Piped blazers, however, are popular. Some schools have grey suits rather thn a colored blazer and grey trousers. We have also notice some schools wearing black blazers with black trousers, although grey trousers are much more common. One prep school has a uniquely stlyled blazer--with miliarity styles sleeves.

Created: August 17, 2001
Last updated: August 17, 2001