Figure 1.--This English school left school smartly outfitted in their uniforms. The group is taking a break from their field trip for an imprompto lunch. Notice that few boys are wearing their blazers or even their jumoers (sweaters). Not notice the kneesocks falling down and the shirt tails.

The clothing English children wore on scholl field trips varied considerably and has chanhed over time. Many schools required the children to wear their dress uniform for field trips and other school trips. The idea was to show the school in the best possibkle light. Many British parents and prospective clients jufge the school by what coukld be observed from the outside and the uniform was one of those easily observable matters. The children beginning their school trips were normally sent off smartly done up in their uniforms. As the trip progressed, the conditon of their get-up often steadily down hill. Some schools insisted the boys keep up appearances. But many of the teachers involved, just let the cildren enjoy themselves as long as they behaved properly. By the midday-lunch break, blazers and jumpers might be chucked off and shirt tails were often plapping. Many boys would have their kneesoicks fallen down like a classic William.

Chronology

The clothing English children wore on scholl field trips varied considerably and has changed over time.

Non-uniform Schools

Many English schools, mostly primary schools, do not have uniforms and thus the children just wear their own clothes as normal for field trips. The trip images like other images from these schools are a good reflection of contemporary children's clothes.

Uniform Schools

Schools with uniforms have a variety of approaches to field trips. Earlier the schoold normally insisted that the childtren wear their dress school uniform. Many schools required the children to wear their dress uniform for field trips and other school trips. The idea was to present the best image and show the school in the best possibkle light. Many British parents and prospective clients jufge the school by what coukld be observed from the outside and the uniform was one of those easily observable matters. The children beginning their school trips were normally sent off smartly done up in their uniforms. As the trip progressed, the conditon of their get-up often steadily down hill. Some schools insisted the boys keep up appearances. But many of the teachers involved, just let the cildren enjoy themselves as long as they behaved properly. By the midday-lunch break, blazers and jumpers might be chucked off and shirt tails were often plapping. Many boys would have their kneesoicks fallen down like a classic William. Another reason top require the uniform was that with the children all dressed alike it was easier to keep track of them. this is a constant concern of the teachers when dealing with younger children. Some schools in recent years have adopted a simplier more casual uniform. In some instances the uniform scgools let the children wear their own clothes for trips. This was especially the case for trips where the children might be moving about outside and might get their uniforms dirty. Another factor is winter wrear. Some schools wiyh uniforms did not have any specuied winter coat. Thus schools with uniforms can look like their is no uniform.

Created: November 12, 2003
Last updated: May 29, 2004