Some distinctive British school uniforms

Children have been required to wear school uniforms at least as far back as the era of Henry VIII, when numerous charity schools were set up with the aim to provide mass education for impoverished families across the country. These schools seen came to be known as `Bluecoat Schools` because of the distinctive blue uniforms the pupils were required to wear. The first reference to a school uniform is thought to go as far back as 1222, when the Archbishop of Canterbury passed the ruling that students must wear something called a Cappa Clausa, which is thought to be a robe like garment.

These days most schools in the United Kingdom have a similar uniform: blazers and shirts, skirts and ties, with perhaps only a crest on the cap denoting the school`s name. Some institutions however have chosen to adopt a more idiosyncratic dress code, with each pupil wearing a uniform that leaves no doubt as to which school they attend.

Eton College

Founded in 1440 by Henry VI, Eton College is perhaps the most prestigious secondary school in the United Kingdom, and has a refined uniform to distinguish its pupils. The standard uniform consists of a black tailcoat (sometimes called a morning coat) along with a matching waistcoat, highly starched stiff white collar, and black pinstriped trousers. There are slight variations afforded to pupils of certain rank, such as House Captains, Sixth Form Selects, and `Pops,` those pupils who occupy the `Eton Society,` a clique of elite senior pupils. These pupils are permitted to wear mottled grey waistcoats sporting silver buttons, black and white houndstooth-checked trousers, and even white bow ties.

Harrow school

An independent boys school founded in 1572, Harrow has an impressive alumni, which includes eight British or Indian Prime Ministers (Churchill being among them), five kings, and three Nobel Prize winners. Such a prestigious heritage demands a distinctive attire, and pupils attending the school actually have two uniforms, one for everyday dress, typically worn to lessons on weekdays, and a Sunday dress, worn up until lunch on Sundays, and during special occasions such as `Speech Days` and ceremonial events.
The everyday dress is comprised of a white shirt, black tie, light grey trousers, or `greyers` as they are colloquially known, and a dark woollen jacket. In addition to this pupils sport what is perhaps the most recognisable feature of the school uniform: a Harrow Hat, which is made from straw, and features a dark blue band.
Sunday dress consists of morning trousers and black tailcoats, a white shirt and black tie, and a single breasted black waistcoat.

Christ`s Hospital

Christ`s Hospital, an independent day and boarding school in West Sussex, was founded in 1552, its mandate from the start being to offer children from less advantageous backgrounds a good education. Its current uniform remains largely unchanged from 450 years ago, when it opened its doors to the needy children of West Sussex, and clothed them in its distinctive attire.

The most striking feature of the school`s uniform is its long and flowing house coat worn by male pupils - a style of clothing common in the reign of Edward VI when the school was founded, but certainly something of an anachronism now. Breeches also form part of the eclectic dress, along with bright yellow socks, another identifying hallmark of the uniform. The yellow dye was originally made from saffron and onion, ingredients thought to ward off fleas, rats, and the plague!

Knighton House

Situated in the market town of Blandford in Dorset, Knighton House is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged between 7 and 13, which also features an adjoining mixed sex school for 3 to 7 year olds. The main feature of the school`s uniform is a pair of bright red dungarees. Founded in 1950, one theory behind the provenance of the striking uniform is the fear that a pupil might become lost while exploring the substantial grounds the school enjoys, which includes woodland, lawns and paddocks. Even though pupils relinquish their rouge dungarees in year eight, they are brought out again on their last day of school, where it is tradition for friends and teachers to sign them.