Figure 1.--This Australian boy wears a brightly colored Rugby-style shirt in an advertisement. I'm not sure when the advertisement appeared, but would guess the 1980s. The baseball cap is not a school cap because it has the name of an American university. Note the Summer grey cotton shorts.

I'm not sure what boys wore to school in the late 19th century. Eton collars were common in the early 20th century. After World War I (1914-18) modern looking shorts appeared, both open and closed front styles. The closed-front shiert in the Rugby style was very popular, but began to worn less commonly by the 1960s. Grey was a popular color for a lot of the private preparatory or strict state or Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran schools. In the 1980s many schools began introducing polo and other more informal shirts worn ith open collars without ties. Shirts in bright colors were popular/ Monogrammed polo shirts since the 1990s have become increasingly popular. Australian readers report that several schools in their neighborhood have adopted monogrammed polo shirts. Although Rugby shirts have declined in popularity they are still worn at some schools.

The 19th Century

I'm not sure what boys wore to school in the late 19th century. Australia of course was only colonized in the 19th century. Fashions weee almost exclusively Broitish in the 19th century. Eton collars were extensively worn for school in the late 19th century.

The 20th Century

Eton collars were common in the early 20th century. After World War I (1914-18) modern looking shorts appeared, both open and closed front styles. The closed-front shiert in the Rugby style was very popular, but began to worn less commonly by the 1960s. Grey was a popular color for a lot of the private preparatory or strict state or Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran schools. In the 1980s many schools began introducing polo and other more informal shirts worn ith open collars without ties. Shirts in bright colors were popular/ Monogrammed polo shirts since the 1990s have become increasingly popular. Australian readers report that several schools in their neighborhood have adopted monogrammed polo shirts. Although Rugby shirts have declined in popularity they are still worn at some schools.

Created: May 12, 2004
Last updated: May 13, 2004