Figure 1.-- Here we see an inidentified Enfkiush group of secondary-level girls. This photograph could have been yaken both nefore and after World War II. The large collars suggesyt to us the 1930s. The gym slipo began as a gym uniform, but by the 1930s was being adopted by many schools as ythe dtandard school uniform.

Girls education made modest gains in England during the 19th century, especially after mid-century. By the turn of the century boys and girls were being educated at the same rate at the primary level. It was at the secondary and university level that girls contuinued to lag. Schools tended to be sinle gender. Girls education advanced rapidly with the turn of the 20th century. The Education/Balfour Act (1902) provided increased funding for secondary education. This resulted in the opening of many new secondary schools, including almost 350 for girls. As a result of this and other developments, the number of girls in secondary schools increased from a mere 20,000 (1897) to 185,000 (1920). Remarkably the use of boys' garments like blazers and ties has been retained and is to be seen today worn by teenage girls at many many schools in England (although nowadays with semi-stiff attached collars.) The girls school uniforms worn today began to take shape in the 19th century, although girls uniforms were still quite varied. Gym uniforms changed . Midddy blouses and bloomers gave way to gum slips. The gym slip which became known as the pinafore dress was initially a gym uniform and came to be aadopted as a major girls uniform style in the early-20th century and was popular through the 1950s. Long stockings were very common. It is still worn at quite a number of schools. Major changes occurred afterworld War II with the expansion of the secondary system. Further changes occurred with the move toward copmrehensive schools. This ended most single-gender educatiion. Gradually after the World War II, girls uniforms became increasingly standardized. Girls during the winter term ware blouses and pleated skirts with the same jumpers (sweaters) that the boys wore. The skirts are often grey. Plaid skirts are also worn, but are not as common as in America. Hosiery is highly varied including both tights and socks. The socks but not the tights are often white. During the summer term, brightly colored, often checked, cotton frocks are worn.

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Created: 9:20 AM 6/7/2019
Last updated: 9:21 AM 6/7/2019