London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 31, 2025

The History of the School Girl Uniform: How Functionality Became Fashionable

The History of the School Girl Uniform: How Functionality Became Fashionable

Designed to instill social order, this timeless style continues to reign over mainstream fashion and pop culture today.

Often reinvented and breaking boundaries in popular culture, whether it be positive or negative, there is no uniform as iconic as the schoolgirl ensemble. Originally intended to be worn as a form maintaining social order and prestige, the traditional schoolgirl uniform is rich with history as it went through numerous imaginative spins throughout its existence beyond the classroom.

Evolution of the Girl’s Uniform




While schoolboy uniforms date as far back as the 16th century, the ‘20s is often credited with the earliest form of the modern Western schoolgirl ensemble as education became more accessible to women. Young girls paired a “middy”-a loose white blouse with a tapered front and square back that bears resemblance to a sailor-with an over-the-knee pleated skirt.




Leading into the ‘30s and ‘40s, there was even greater experimentation with girl’s uniforms, even taking inspiration from menswear and boy’s uniforms. Adolescent schoolgirls typically layered tailored blazers with insignias embroidered on the breast pocket. As a response to the war in the latter decade, hemlines rapidly rose and plaid pinafores became more prevalent in the schoolgirl attire.



When Christian Dior introduced the New Look in 1947, which consisted of nipped waistlines and long flared skirts, the aesthetic translated into modern schoolgirl uniforms. The late ‘40s and ‘50s created the quintessential “schoolgirl” uniform that we know and recognize today. Plaid kilts, tartan skirts, and Peter Pan-collared blouses skyrocketed in popularity throughout the decade.



From the ‘50s and so on, girls' uniforms saw continual updates and quirks. As uniforms were often associated with private schooling and wealth, students tried to deviate from said social implications by modding their uniforms—whether it be a form of rebellion or creative self-expression.

Shortened hemlines, stacked accessories, and personalized bags were often used as a way to tip-toe around school dress codes. It enabled students to add a personal flair to the already "drab" and socially constricting attire forced upon them. In Japan, Kogyaru, a fashion subculture that emerged among young Japanese adolescents, consisted of customizing plain school uniforms as a means of fueling their anti-establishment agenda. The girls often paired miniskirts with chunky loose socks and Burberry check scarves.

The Schoolgirl Aesthetic Trickles Up to High Fashion




So how did the seemingly plain uniform make its way onto high fashion runways and luxury retailers? Thanks to the schoolgirl uniform’s versatility and longevity, designers such as Prada and Saint Laurent saw potential in modernizing the simple uniform. It served as a blank canvas for designers to take their own artistic spin on the youthful ensemble. The reinvention of the seemingly gloomy schoolgirl uniform, typically associated with prestige and class, allowed for fashion aficionados to buy into the desirable (and often unattainable), Gossip Girl-esque aesthetic that remains a leading trend today.

Prevalence in Popular Culture




From Cher Horowitz’s iconic plaid skirt suit in Clueless to Britney Spears’ racy outfit in “...Baby One More Time,” such memorable pop culture moments serve as a testament to the schoolgirl uniform’s long-lived popularity. Continuously brought back by consumers and designers alike, today’s “preppy” trend channels schoolgirl aesthetics with modern updates. Experimental silhouettes, platform Mary Janes and loafers, and vibrant colorways, the schoolgirl aesthetic continues to thrive beyond being a mere, functional necessity.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×