Figure 1.-- This looks to us like a state primary in the late-1920s. he boys look to be about 13 years old. The Eton collar which had for years dominated school uniforms began to disapper in the 20s. We see see quite a few Eton collars in the early-20s, but as we see here had begun to disapper by mid-decade. And we see mostly attached soft collars. We still see boys commonly wearing neckties, in some cases even with sweaters. These horizontal woven ties were especially popular in 1920s. We are not sure about open collars. They became fairly common in the 1930s, but we are not yet sure about the 1920s. The neckties are an especially good indicator of the type of schools. Private schools generally had a standard school tie, although their could be differences for sports awards and prefects. At state schools the boys all had different ties presumably by their mother. Ties were mostly required at private schools, but at least in the primaries without uniforms this was generally a matter of parental discression. We see some bowties. One boy looks to be wearing a smock. If this was a French school this what wewould have thought. But in England a sweater is more likely. Put your cursor on the image to see the restof the class.

Major changes occured in English school uniforms during the 1920s. The Eton collar which had for years dominated school uniforms began to disapper. We see see quite a few Eton collars in the early-20s. By mid-decade they had declined notably. And we see mostly attached soft collars. We still see boys commonly wearing neckties, in some cases even with sweaters. Several boys here are wearing sweaters, but notice there are no V-neck sweaters (figure 1). Neckties were very common in the 20s. These horizontal woven ties were especially popular in 1920s. We are not sure about open collars. They became fairly common in the 1930s, but we are not yet sure about the 1920s. We see some images with the boys mostly wearing neckties. The neckties are an especially good indicator of the type of schools. Private schools generally had a standard school tie, although their could be differences for sports awards and prefects. At state schools the boys all had different ties presumably by their mother. Ties were mostly required at private schools, but at least in the primaries without uniforms this was generally a matter of parental discression. We see some bowties. Most prep schools required short pants and even public schools and state secondary schools began requiring them for their junior forms. State primary schools did not require uniforms, but boys mostly wore short pants as this was standard boys' wear at the time. Prep school began adopting closed toe-sandals in the 1920s, but we mostly see shoes in the state schools, especially in the early-20s. High-top shoes were still very commn in the primary schools.

Educational Reform

State education was still primarily primary eucation. But political and educational leaders begam preparing the basis for major reforms. Parliament passed the important Education Act of 1921 which consolidated previous education legislation and raised the school leaving age to 14 years. The Government's Consultative Committee began aeries of reports. The five Hadow reports (1923-33) made commendations which would shape the national education system mandated by th Education Act of 1944 and emrged after World War II. A major debate began about the nature of primary education. Educators were influenced by the writings of John, Dewey, Edmond Holmes, Susan Isaacs, and Montessori. The Board of Education negan to consider innovative modern ideas.

Garments

Major changes occured in English schoolwears during the 1920s.

Collars

The Eton collar which had for years dominated school uniforms began to disapper. We see see quite a few Eton collars in the early-20s. By mid-decade they had declined notably. And we see mostly attached soft collars.

Neckwear

We still see boys commonly wearing neckties, in some cases even with sweaters. Several boys here are wearing sweaters, but notice there are no V-neck sweaters (figure 1). Neckties were very common in the 20s. These horizontal woven ties were especially popular in 1920s. We are not sure about open collars. They became fairly common in the 1930s, but we are not yet sure about the 1920s. We see many images with the boys mostly wearing neckties. The neckties are an especially good indicator of the type of schools. Private schools generally had a standard school tie, although their could be differences for sports awards and prefects. At state schools the boys all had different ties presumably by their mother. Ties were mostly required at private schools, but at least in the primaries without uniforms this was generally a matter of parental discression. We see some bowties.

Pants

State primary schools did not require uniforms. Notice how differently the boys here are dressed. While there ws no uniform requiremebnt in stte schools, mist boys wore short pants as this was standard boys' wear at the time.

Hosiety

Knee socks were common schol wear throughout the 1920s. Boys of all ages wearing short pnts commonly wire knee socks, comminly called long socks or school socks. Both boys and girls wore them.

Footwear

Most prep schools required short pants and even public schools and state secondary schools began requiring them for their junior forms. Prep school began adopting closed toe-sandals in the 1920s, but we mostly see shoes in the state schools, especially in the early-20s. High-top shoes were still very commn in the primary schools as can be seen here (figure 1).

Usage

School uniforms were not just worn at school in the 1920s as is the case today. School uniforms or school garments were cammonly wirn wheb dressing up such as going to church. Many boys did not have suits and used heir school uniform or school clothes when dressing up. Large wardrobes were not common for boys at the time unless they came from a well-to-do family. And this was not just for formal outings like church. Boys and girls might wear their school uniforms for family outings to parks and attractioms or for going down town. It should be remmenbered that people in the 1920s still dressed up much more commonly than is the case today. Conventions were more informal than in the early-20th century, but still much more formal than the case of modern times. Thus you see boys wearing their school uniforms with ties on picnics, to the beach. or other such outings.

Created: 6:03 AM 7/13/2016
Last updated: 6:04 AM 7/13/2016