The Early Years

In the School’s earliest days there was no official uniform. However, by 1918, a navy tunic with box pleats and a navy tie was worn by most students.

From 1923 until 1934, this navy tunic and tie was worn in winter with black shoes, stockings, gloves and a belt. A navy blazer was trimmed with navy cord, while a Bishops’ mitre, symbolising the School’s association with the Anglican church, was embroidered in gold thread on the pocket.

During this period, the summer uniform was made from navy blue Fuji silk, trimmed with white collar and cuffs on the long sleeves. In 1929, the collar was changed to pale brown, and worn with a brown belt, shoes and stockings. We are fortunate to have an example in our Archives Collection, along with the sports tunic from the period, which was made of the same Fuji silk. This was worn with a long sleeved white blouse, a navy tie and black stockings.

1935-1970s

By 1935, the School had adopted a summer uniform featuring a cotton dress with brown, gold and white check with a raised gold thread, a white collar and brown leather belt. This was designed by Jean Chapman (Class of 1929). During World War II , this fabric was substituted with a simpler design of brown and gold stripes, due to shortages in supplies. The sports uniform of this time was a gold cotton tunic, worn with a white blouse and a sash in House colours.

The winter uniform during this period was a brown serge pinafore, with a v-neck and pleats, a fawn-coloured shirt, and brown and gold striped tie. This was worn with a fawn-coloured v-neck jumper with gold and brown stripes which was replaced with a plain dark brown jumper during the War[MD2] . The dark brown featuring the Bishop’s mitre embroidered on the pocket in gold thread, will be familiar to students even today.  

Stylistically, the uniform remained fairly consistent over the next few decades, with slight changes to the brown, gold and white check pattern of the summer uniform. 

In the 1970s, the brown pinafore was replaced with a brown skirt with two pleats for Senior School students.

1980s-1990s

In 1980, the winter skirt was changed to a brown and gold checked pleated skirt. This was worn with the brown blazer, fawn shirt and brown and gold striped tie.

By 1995 the summer uniform was updated to incorporate a bright white and brown check, white collar and cuffs.

2000s

In 2001 the sports uniform underwent a radical shift to a black and gold parachute-style tracksuit, with yellow ankle stripes and a zipped jacket in black and gold with a v-shaped stripe.

In 2007, the uniform underwent a dramatic transformation, and re-introduced blue to the uniform for the first time since the 1930s. Designed by Jane Lamerton (Class of 1974), the gold was largely replaced with cobalt blue. This modern design featured blue and brown stripes on the winter skirt and Junior School pinafore, while a cobalt blue woollen jumper with brown trim, a blue and brown spotted tie and blue-striped ribbon on the Year 12 blazer brought a fresh new approach to the School uniform. The golden mitre on the blazer pocket remained as a tangible link to the history and traditions of Ivanhoe Girls’.

In 2017, trousers were introduced to the School uniform for the first time, to acknowledge a more inclusive approach to the uniform while allowing for greater movement and comfort for our students.

In 2019 the School commenced the process for a new Uniform for students from ELC to Year 12. Following a significant research project, and the appointment of renowned school uniform designer, Jonathan Ward, a Uniform Review Committee was established with representatives from students, staff, parents and past students. Following delays due to COVID-19, the new School Uniform will be launched to the School community later in the year and we look forward to showcasing the new uniform in the next edition of Lux Mea.