Figure 1.--Australian school shirts traditionally were either grey or white. Some schools had khaki Blue shirts appeared about the 1970s. By the 1990s there was a much wider range of color, including beige, brown, green, and yellow.

Australian school uniform shirts traditionally were either grey or white. This was the basic convention until well after World War II. Some schools had khaki Blue shirts appeared about the 1970s. By the 1990s there was a much wider range of color, including beige, brown, green, and yellow. This was a startling change from the vary staid grey shirts that were so common for so many years. They were made in both short and long sleeves. The syles included polos, open front, and closed front shirts. One of the reasons that there are more colored shirts worn with modern school uniforms is that blazers are less common then was the formerly the case. If only white and grey shirts were worn, there would be little difference between various schools. Some schools changed shirts seasonally, but this was not as common as chanhing pants--normally different material weights. The seasonal shirt changes often did not involve a change in color.

Chronology

Australian school uniform shirts traditionally were either grey or white. This was the basic convention until well after World War II. Some schools had khaki Blue shirts appeared about the 1970s. By the 1990s there was a much wider range of colors. They were made in both short and long sleeves. The syles included polos, open front, and closed front shirts.

Trends

The appearance of more colorful school shirts reflects the trend to makevunifirms for stylish and appealing to children. Another reason was that there are more colored shirts worn with modern school uniforms is that blazers are less common then was the formerly the case. If only white and grey shirts were worn, there would be little difference between various schools.

Colors

Grey has been the most common for school uniform shirts. White shirts were common for special occassions. We now notice a wide range of shirt colors, including beige, brown, green, and yellow. This was a startling change from the vary staid grey shirts that were so common for so many years.

Seasonal Changes

Some schools changed shirts seasonally, but this was not as common as chanhing pants--normally different material weights. The seasonal shirt changes often did not involve a change in color. Most schools retained the same colored shirts only in a heavier weight or switching short/long sleeves. We have noticed a few schools, however, that did change colors.

Created: January 25, 2004
Last updated: March 9, 2004