Objects of Substance- White Blouse

In 1923, the School Magazine Editorial stated that “(d)uring the first term, a committee of delegates from every form was appointed to discuss the question of a school uniform. A chairman and secretary were elected, motions proposed, seconded, and put to the vote, and minutes kept, in a business-like manner. Many wise proposals have been passed to arrange for every detail of the school uniform and we should like to take this opportunity of reminding the school that all new school clothes are supposed to be uniform.”

1930 Catherine and Polly Elston

Mavis Cullen 1930

During the 1930s and ‘40s, it appears that the only variation of the white blouse was it could be long or short sleeved. However, as many blouse were homemade, variations were evident and expected. It appears that the long-sleeved blouse was phased out from 1940. The consistent design features from those times were the collar and the waistband, and the constant awareness of modesty.