Torch - Spring 2018

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From left: Black pants are new at the Upper School; the blazer sees its first update since 1935; turtlenecks make a comeback.

uniform was replaced by a lovely polyester green gym suit. Thankfully, natural fabrics have prevailed since then. From 1939 until 1970, a one-piece cotton summer uniform, in various shades of green over the years, could be worn on days when the mercury passed 27 degrees Celsius. In 1970, the kilt appeared, to be worn with a blouse (which has changed shades over the years from white, cream, beige, tan, yellow and even mustard hues). Long- sleeved shirts were added in the 1980s, golf shirts in the 1990s and a white turtleneck in 1999, which disappeared for a while, but, is now returning. A major innovation this year are black dress pants in the Upper School; they’re entirely optional, but can be used for Number One Dress. Anyone interested in the uniform’s evolution can visit the Dr. Catherine Steele 1928 Archives, where original uniforms, alongside scrapbooks, trophies and photo collections, are stored at controlled archival temperatures. Latcham will produce boxes of tunics, ties, blouses, even a Havergal beret. A dive into those coarse wools, starched linens and tiny waists will likely make any current student feel fortunate to live with the fabrics and possibilities of the 21st century.

placement—around the waist not the thighs—while an illustration in the 1935 edition shows its regulation length: six inches off the floor when standing! For reasons unknown even to school Archivist Debra Latcham, the uniform’s colour changed from blue to green in 1934. It’s possible that this was due to material shortages or that navy blue, which enjoyed great popularity during World War I, was falling out of favour. The 1930s also saw the introduction of first and second dress, the former requiring a blazer and, as of 1939, knee socks and a tie. This probably reflected an overall trend of masculinization in women’s fashion during the war years. Hill points out that the most recent modifications to the blazer—a more fitted shape, reduced shoulder pads and a lower button—are the first to its original design of 1935. The earliest gym uniform was a navy sailor’s dress of scratchy serge; even the original Havergal bathing suit was made of blue wool! In the 1930s, a sports first dress was introduced for away games—a long white middy with a green or black tie and a pleated white linen skirt. The 1950s saw the girls wearing a white blouse and white shorts for Physical Education. By the 1960s, the girls exercised in a one-piece green romper. In the 1970s, the Physical Education

TABLE OF CONTENTS | SPRING 2018 • TORCH 35