VOLUME II 2023 UNIFORM THROUGH THE AGES CRANBROOK SCHOOL 1918 – THE PRESENT 1918 – 1919
No set uniform, many of the students wore suits or jackets and trousers. Small boys wore shorts with jackets. Ties were worn, a few bow ties for seniors.
Our new uniform design is just one of the many steps we are taking as we move towards coeducation.
1919 – 1931
The history of uniforms A S T H E M O N T H S R O L L B Y, and the concept of
girls commencing their Cranbrook education becomes ever closer to reality, the School has been meticulously planning and implementing various initiatives and changes. From staff training and development, interviewing our girls’ families in our waitpool to curriculum planning and uniform design, we are poised to provide a vibrant and inclusive environment . Cranbrook’s new uniform, available from Term 4 2025, represents an important chapter in our school’s history, with only a few changes to the uniform since the School opened its gates in 1918, and no changes to the uniform since 1985. When Cranbrook was founded in 1918, there was no set uniform. Students wore a suit and tie combination of their choice and senior students wore bow ties. By 1921, most students wore a darker jacket with knickerbockerstyle pants, long socks, and a tie. In 1931 the School Council wrote in The Cranbrookian: “The School Council has decided that, from the beginning of next year, all boys attending Cranbrook will be required to dress in a prescribed grey flannel. The material will be available at all leading tailoring firms, and no restriction is being placed upon the style and cut that tailors may wish to recommend to their clients. The idea of a uniform, even modified in this way, should be popular with everybody who is interested in Cranbrook, and should add to our prestige and esprit de corps”. In 1942, The Cranbrookian documented the addition of a ‘new blue shirt that will become part of regulation attire’. Senior students wore a double-breasted jacket. By the late 70s there was a uniform in place which consisted of a mid-grey suit, black shoes and a tie. In 1985, The Chronicle documented that the school Council had approved a new uniform, which included a navy blazer made from Onkaparinga flannel instead of a suit coat, and the school crest on the left-hand pocket. The colour of the shirt was changed to sky blue. The sports uniform was changed so that only the Firsts wore the white tracksuit, with the remainder of the School wearing a white top with blue tracksuit pants. The Chronicle states: “The Committee feels like the blazer would, firstly, overcome the problem which exists at present concerning matching coats and trousers. Secondly, it would provide a definitive and atractive (sic) means of identification with the school which most people, and especially the boys, feel is necessary and desirable. Thirdly, it looks extremely smart.” 9
By 1921 most of the School wore a darker jacket with tie and some wore knickerbocker pants. Some older boys wore double-breasted suit coats. Those who wore knickerbockers wore long socks as well. All wore ties. During this decade, black shoes were the style with grey socks.
1921
1932 – 1933
School Council decided (in 1931) that from the beginning of this year a grey flannel was to be the school uniform. No style was set for this grey flannel. This was to set the boys at Cranbrook School apart from other schools and increase their esprit de corps!
1933
1933 – 1941
Senior boys wore the grey flannel with waistcoats and striped tie. Some time during this decade caps and hats were worn. By 1941 a new design of cap was being considered. 1942 – 1985
From late 1941 or from the start of 1942 the blue shirt was to be worn by all students. Interesting to note that some of the senior students wore a darker grey flannel as a suit. By the late 1970s uniformity with mid-grey suit, black shoes, and school tie. Also in the 1970s the soft grey felt hat (with blue school band and crest) was phased out. In 1985 the School Council decided to remove the grey school jacket and replace it with a blue blazer with the school crest on the left breast pocket and the colour of the shirt was changed to sky blue, a lighter shade than the previous iteration. The caps and ties removed for kindergarten boys. In sportswear, only the first team in interschool 1sts sports teams (and swimming and athletics teams) would continue to wear the white tracksuit. The remainder of the School would wear the white top with blue tracksuit pants. These changes would phased in over 1986. 1980S – 1990S
From the late 80s to early 90s, a white shirt for musical performance was introduced.
1949
1965
1975
1985 – THE PRESENT
The school uniform has only undergone one major change. The school crest was changed by the School Council, on the advice of Mr Jeremy Madin, Headmaster 2001-2012. The major change that took place was the addition of a blue border around the already existing red boarder of the crest. Other small changes were made to the crest.
1986
