Australian School Uniform Garments: Socks


Figure 1.--These are some of the kneesocks with color tops. Most have two color cominations in a vriety of combinations. Most kneesocks are grey, but there are also some blue socks. Stangely the white socks commonly worn by girls never have the colored bands.

Kneesocks were once commonly worn by school children as was the case in Britain. Boys commonly wore grey socks and girls white socks. There were kneesocks with bands and with patterns. The Australian socks had the zig zag pattern like those worn during the 1920s and 30s. Some pullovers had this trim. We have not noted this in other countries. A reader writes, "In Australia during the 1950s and 60s school uniforms featured them. There was pretty strict uniform code in those days especially at the non-government schools. Boys had to wear knee length wollen grey shorts and long knee high grey wollen socks held up with garters. Shoes were black leather and shined every day." Since the 1960s kneesocks have declined in popularity. They are still worn at many private scgools and at some state schools, especially the ones affiliated with religious groups. As in Britain, the kneesocks commonly have bands at the top in the school colors. Most have two color cominations in a variety of combinations. Most kneesocks are grey, but there are also some blue socks. We also noticed one prep school in the 1990s that had the patterened kneesocks. Stangely the white socks commonly worn by girls never have the colored bands. These same colors are often used for scarves, jumper trim, and ties. Many state primary schools with uniforms now have ankle socks as part of the school uniform. Colors vary, but grey and white are common.

Chronology

Kneesocks were once commonly worn by school children as was the case in Britain. We notice Australian children wearing them through World War II. They were still quite common in the 1950s, but began to decline in popularity in the late 960s and especially the 1970s. A reader writes, "In Australia during the 1950s and 60s school uniforms featured them. There was pretty strict uniform code in those days especially at the non-government schools. Boys had to wear knee length wollen grey shorts and long knee high grey wollen socks held up with garters. Shoes were black leather and shined every day." Since the 1960s kneesocks have declined in popularity. they were no longer common at mny strate schools by the 1980s. They have not, however. disappeared. They are still worn at many private scgools and at some state schools, especially the ones affiliated with religious groups. They are in the 2000s rarely worn unless they are part of a required school uniform.

Types

Boys commonly wore grey socks and girls white socks. There were kneesocks with bands and with patterns. The Australian socks had the zig zag pattern like those worn during the 1920s and 30s. Some pullovers had this trim. We have not noted this in other countries. As in Britain, the kneesocks commonly have bands at the top in the school colors. Most have two color cominations in a variety of combinations. Most kneesocks are grey, but there are also some blue socks. We also noticed one prep school in the 1990s that had the patterened jneesocks. Stangely the white socks commonly worn by girls never have the colored bands. These same colors are often used for scarves, jumper trim, and ties. Many state primary schools with uniforms now have ankle socks as part of the school uniform. Colors vary, but grey and white are common.

Gender

Traditinally both wore colored kneesocks and girls ankle and knee-length white socks. We have noted some girls wearing colored kneesocks aswell. In recent years kneesocks have become less common and differences between girls and boys hosiery have diminished.









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