Figure 1.--Here we have a wonderful classroom portrit of an English primary class. We would guess thar they are first form children (6-7 year olds). We see a sign that says '45'. We thought tat might mean 4 and 5 year olds. Some primaries amy have has 5 years olds as kindrgarteners, but we think 4 year old were not common. Perhaps readers will know more. Many of the boys wear outfits with Fauntkeriy trim as well as sailor suits. Others are more plainly dressed with what looks like sweaters. The girls wall wear dresses, most with pinafores. Some of the girls wear ringlet curls. The portrait is not dated, but the gas fixture suggesrs the 1900s to us. Notice the blocks, apparently the teacher is tellingbthem what to build.

English school uniforms did not change greatly during the eraly-20th century. The styles which were widely adopted in the late-19th century continued to be widely worn in the early-20th century. Younger boys might wear Fauntleroy suits or suits with Fauntleroy styling, especilly in the 1900s. White prestinr Eton collars we a major school and fashion stple during both the 1900s and 10s. We still see many boys wearing Eton collars, in both the 1900s and 10s. You can see that innthe primary school here (figure 1). Girls commonly wore pinafores. There were, however, some ckearly discernable trends. The one major change was in trousers. A lot of boys in the private schools still wore long trousers at the turn-of-the 20th century. This was much less common by the end of the 1910s. The overwealming imprression is formality. The 1910s was dominated by World war I which begn in 1914. This would affect popular conventions of formaliry, especially after the war. But we still see school children dressed what we would describe as formal during the war. It is fairly easy to date school images to the early-20 century. Separating the 1900s images from the 10s is more difficult.

The 1900s

English school uniforms did not change greatly during the eraly-20th century. The styles which were widely adopted in the late-19th century continued to be widely worn in the early-20th century. The younger boys at state schools might wear a variety of outfits, including ruffled and lace collars and sailor suits. Younger boys might wear Fauntleroy suits or suits with Fauntleroy dtyling, especilly in the 1900s. The peaked cap was commonly worn at both private and state schools. Boys in the 1900s wore the suits with Eton collars that had become so common in the late 19th century. Boys in preparatorry and public schools as well as older boys at state schools usually wore jackets with Eton collars. The one major change during the 1900s was that the knickers commonly worn during the late 19th century became less common. Younger boys instead wore kneepants with long stockings. At many public schools, the younger boys wore Eton colars while the older boys wore regular soft collars. The younger boys might wear knee pants and the older boys long pants. We see long stockings some of which were cuffed at the knees to look like knee socks. Girls wote dresses, often with pinfores.

The 1910s

School uniforms did not change markedly during the 1910s. Of course uniforms were still only worn at private schools. The peaked school cap was stiill ubiquitous. Boys in state schools still tended to dress up in suits, but did not wear uniforms. Eton collars were still dominate, but some boys did begin wearing soft collars and ties. Boys still commoly wore suits to school in both the state and private schools. Blazers were still primarily sports wear, but by the end of the decade had began to be worn at prep schools. Some notable changes were beginning. One of the most significant changes was the increasing trend to wear short trousers and knee socks rather than knee pants and long stockings or knickers. We see some long pants even with thevyounger boys, buy this was clearly becoming less common. The popular Boy Scout movemrent was probably an influence here. This trend was most apparenant in the state schools, but was noticeable at prep schools as well. A few public (private boarding) schools still had knickers as part of the school uniform. The 1910s was dominated by World War I which began in 1914. This would affect popular conventions of formality, especially after the War. But we still see school children dressed what we would describe as formal during the war.

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Created: 10:55 PM 7/22/2015
Last updated: 10:55 PM 7/22/2015