Uniform History - Methodist Ladies' College

Uniform History
Looking Back,
Looking Forward
- The Uniform of
Methodist Ladies’
College and the
exciting times ahead!
The new Australian Curriculum for
History has a focus on Time, Continuity
and Change. Over the past 14
months, these concepts have been
important considerations for the
Uniform Review Group as it took up
directions signalled in the 2010 MLC
Uniform Survey to guide the evolution
of new summer and winter pieces.
Survey responses confirmed that the
uniform was ready for some ‘reshaping’
to marry a more contemporary and
sophisticated look with traditional
elements, including our distinctive
dark green. Members of the Uniform
Review Group understand the privilege
and responsibility involved in leading
this process; they have been most
enthusiastic in applying creative
thinking to the task!
Exciting options are emerging, after
much consideration of different fabrics
and styles. One outcome is that there
may be subtle differences to distinguish
Junior, Middle and Senior Years while
our K-12 ness is tied together with
strong traditional elements! We hope
we can soon share the designs with
you and offer some choices within
these. We aspire to create a standout
uniform that will define a new era in
MLC’s history!
Yvonne Palmer, Deputy Principal
In reviewing the uniform Principal Cody
has said she is looking forward to “a
more contemporary look with quality
fabrics and flattering shapes. The
injection of age-appropriate elegance
would also be most welcomed.”
1908-1909 1921
Navy Blue Blazer bound with gold and black cord
1909 – 1920
n Navy blue tunic
n Black added to belt
n White Straw hats in summer
n Navy Blue felt hats in winter
School tie
(archive collection)
1933
Official uniform:
n Skirt of dark green wool-de-chine
n Pale green shirt
(later referred to as ‘apple green’)
n Green and gold school tie for winter
n Pale green wool pullover
n Dark green flannel blazer bound with
green braid for winter
n Green felt hat in winter
n Black shoes and stockings
n Straw Panama style hat with
green rim binding
n Prefect Honour pocket
n Winter: Dark green flannel blazer
n Winter: School tie
Since 1933 the winter uniform has remained
virtually unchanged.
1921
Did you know that MLC students used to wear navy blue?
1923 Prospectus: ‘That navy blue is required for school wear. For going out wear white in summer
and navy blue in winter. Ordinary white straw hats are worn in summer and navy blue felt in winter.
Hair ribbons must be navy blue, black or white. Shoes and stockings must be black’.
1948
Winter Berets introduced
1949
Beige stockings worn due to black stockings in short supply
1950
n Green and white check ‘tablecloth’ summer dress
n White gloves worn for ‘formal’ occasions
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Uniform History
1972
Summer beige, green and yellow check dress in
double breasted style.
Some hemlines are best left to the 70s.
Today’s uniform is strictly ‘at the knee’
1955
n Summer dress replaced by plain green dress
with belt. Crest embroided in gold on pocket
n Dark green cardigan
n Yellow stripe hatband
1957
Collegian 1957: ‘Over the past five years
there have been several uniform changes
made. The summer check dresses have been
replaced with a different styled pale green
cotton. A dark green cardigan can be worn
in school if desired. The new hatband has a
yellow stripe instead of the cream’.
1959
Synthetic straw summer hats with bottle green
under brim and gold and black stripe edging.
Fused collar blouses permitted for senior girls.
1978
Hats phased out. In 1978 hats were removed
from the school uniform. With the advent of sun
awareness, hats were reintroduced in 1989 and
made compulsory in 1992. Today, hats remain
an integral part of the school uniform.
1983
n Raincoat not part of uniform
1989
n Hats reintroduced
n Drop waisted style light green summer dress
with white collar and dark green tie worn with
white socks
1992
1960
Bottle green raincoat made compulsory
1961
Summer dress yellow or green stripes
1965
Velour winter hat replaces beret
Panama style hat introduced
1967
Plain green summer dress
1969
Plain green seniors’ tie introduced
Pale synthetic straw hat with dark green under brim
A light green wool winter jumper has been worn
since 1933.
2001
Low cut white socks worn with uniform
White short sleeve shirt introduced as part of
winter uniform and summer in 4th term for Y 12.
In 2002 Year 12s were permitted to wear either
the summer dress or the white shirt with dark green
winter skirt in Terms 1 and 4.
MLC 2010 Uniform Survey
The MLC 2010 Uniform Survey sought the
opinions of 1070 people. There were 3 major
survey sections and these included the formal
elements of the Winter Uniform, Summer Uniform
and PE/sports Uniform. In total over 4,000 free
comments were recorded! From these comments
the following trends emerged and are now being
taken into consideration.
Apple Green Shirt.
The majority of our survey group requested a
change to the shirt with many being moved to
make additional comments regarding the colour.
Striped Tie.
Over half of our survey group requested a change
or removal of the tie.
Skirt.
There was a balanced opinion regarding the
green skirt but a large percentage of survey
population commented that the fabric was itchy.
There was a significant push for a change to
darker green or tartan, black or other.
Apple Green Jumper.
Nearly three quarters of the survey population
requested a change or removal of the Apple
Green jumper. Again many found it itchy to wear.
Blazer.
Many of the survey group commented that the
shoulder pads should be removed and that it
should be a different cut; less boxy and more
flattering for girls.
Summer Dress.
With regard to the summer dress nearly three
quarters of survey population would like to see a
change to a more flattering style with removal of
the tie.
These trends are now being considered as we
consult with experts in the uniform industry about
the best way forward.
If you have uniform items of interest to donate to
the MLC archive collection please contact Archivist
Michelle Campbell at mcampbell@mlc.wa.edu.au
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