|
Schoolwear varied in partly depending on the type of school. Primary schools varied as to wheater they required uniforms or not. Some had uniforms but did not require they be worn. Other schools required them. Most secondary schools required uniforms. Private schools also generally required them. The school uniform trends common in the 1970s are for the most part the styles common 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.
Schoolwear varied in par depending on the type of school. Primary schools varied as to wheater they required uniforms or not. The clothing styles worn at the non-uniform schools are a good relection of general clothing styles. School uniforms tended to be much mire traditional. Some state primary schools had uniforms but did not require they be worn. Other schools required them. The staste primary school tended toi have very basic uniforms. Most secondary schools required uniforms. Private schools also generally required them. The preparatory schools in particular usually required uniforms, normally very traditional uniforms.
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 ... !"
An American journalist in 1975 commented on the English school uniform. Nancy Mills reports from London that "For parents here , the back-to-school bell usually means a quick visit to the uniform shop. A bigger blazer, more white and gray shirts, maybe another jumper or a pair of shorts. ...." The article deals more with the subject of school uniform in general than specifically on 1970s styles.
A reader writes, "I can't remember any school I've worked in utilising cord jackets. Cord shorts were very popular and widely used but I can't recall any with matching jackets. That may help you late their popular demise to the early 70s although it is quite feasible that they continued in some
places much later. Chilton Cantelo School (coeducational prep and senior school) near Yeovil in the southwest of England used to have a leather uniform in the 1970s. The girls wore quite thick heavy brown leather skirts to just below knee length and all of the children had leather bomber jackets. I believe the boys wore cord shorts or longs depending upon age and season. Other than those
schools with specific historic links most conformed to to a fairly conservative approach but the 70s did see the opportunity for some of the more eccentric owners and heads to experiment with fashion based uniforms. By the 80s traditional ideals had been restored; not least because children were by then far more aware of their own image and despite interests in fashion conformity, especially with ones peers, was seen as very important if not widely spoken about." HBC noted cord jackets at a few prep schoos during the 1970s-90s, but as our reader mentions, cord shorts were much more cmmon.
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Main Chronology Page]
[The 1880s]
[The 1930s]
[The 1940s]
[The 1950s]
[The 1960s]
[The 1970s]
[The 1980s]
[The 1990s]
Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Main late 20th century English school page]
[Long pants suits]
[Short pants suits]
[Socks]
[Eton suits]
[Jacket and trousers]
[Blazer]
[School sandals]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing School Uniform Pages
[Main School Uniform Page]
[Australia]
[England]
[France]
[Germany]
[Italy]
[Japan]
[New Zealand]
[Scotland]
[United States]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Page
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Topics]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
