Figure 1.--Many schools made short trousers optional in the 1970s. Most boys choise to wear long trousers. This school class was photographed in 1975. I'm not sure what kind of school it was.

The school uniform trends common in the 1970s are for the most part the styles commonly worn today. School caps were no longer worn at public and state secondary schools, they were even being dropped at many prep schools. Boys and girls at most state secondary schools wore a standard uniform of black blazer and grey long trousers or skirts. Even the younger boys at state secondary schools now wore long trousers. Some public schools still required shorts for younger boys, but by the end of the decade even the Scottish schools dropped requirements for older boys. Many elementary schools required school uniforms, in most cases short pants. A new style of school sandal became common with a wide center strap. Most prep schools continued to require shorts. Beginning in the early 1970s the longer, knee-length shorts began to be replaced with much shorter, trimmer fitting shorts based more on Continental styles. School sandals were still common at primary and especially prep schools. Many state primary schools began allowing boys to wear trainers (sneakers to school. One reader tells us that boots were also common. He reports that at his school many boys wore side-zip boots. He writes, "Most lads wore side-zip boots that went up under the trousers.THe height would range anywhere from 6 - 17 inches. Sometimes the boots would have the famous platform supports or a stacked heel of some 2 and a half inches high with a wedged toe. Often, if the trousers would ride some way up the leg, on sitting down or lounging around, allowing high boot length to show, one would resemble a crewman from the Original Star Trek series ... !"

Headwear

School caps were no longer worn at public and state secondary schools. A few grammar (selective secondary) schools for the youinger boys, but most dropped this requirementbin the earlyb 70s. They wereceven being dropped at many prep schools. Some prep schools continued to require them. They were also worn for sports, especilly cricket.

Blazers

Boys and girls at most state secondary schools wore a standard uniform of black blazer. Some schools had more coloful blazers, but this was more common at private schools, especially prep schools.

Sweaters

Most schools had "V" neck grey sweaters. The "V" necks were common because so many schools required neck ties. Many schools in the 1970s had grey sweaters with collar and cuff trim in the schoolm colors. Some sweaters had waistband trim, but this was less common.

Shirts

Most boys wore grey school shirts. Schools normally made white shirts a part of a dress uniform. Often boys could wear white shirts if they wanted. A few schools had blue Artex shirts.

Trousers

Even the younger boys at state secondary schools now wore long trousers. A few schools required shorts for the first year boys, but this rule was in most cases dropped in the early 70s. Often shorts were made optional which normally meant that all the boys wore long trousers. Some public schools still required shorts for younger boys, but by the end of the decade even the Scottish schools dropped requirements for older boys. Many elementary schools required school uniforms, in most cases short pants. Many prep schools continued to require shorts, but often their were rules about when boys could begin to wear long trousers. A few schools continued to insist on shorts for all the boys. Beginning in the early 1970s the longer, knee-length shorts began to be replaced with much shorter, trimmer fitting shorts based more on Continental styles.

Footwear

A new style of school sandal became common with a wide center strap. School sandals were still common at primary and especially prep schools. Many state primary schools began allowing boys to wear trainers (sneakers to school. One reader tells us that boots were also common. He reports that at his school many boys wore side-zip boots. He writes, "Most lads wore side-zip boots that went up under the trousers.THe height would range anywhere from 6 - 17 inches. Sometimes the boots would have the famous platform supports or a stacked heel of some 2 and a half inches high with a wedged toe. Often, if the trousers would ride some way up the leg, on sitting down or lounging around , allowing high boot length to show, one would resemble a crewman from the Original Star Trek series ... !"

School Experiences

The school experiences submitted by HBC readers have a lot of interesting infirmation about school garments in the 1970s.

Created: 3:53 AM 7/7/2004
Last updated: 3:53 AM 7/7/2004