Foureyes wrote: I am bewildered by the changes of dress - and, indeed, why they were changed. I recall the girls in 1953 in what I thought was an elegant outfit in navy blue with gold piping - why did that change? I have also heard ex-Hertford girls talk with a degree of awe about a "black apron" - obviously, I realise that it was an apron coloured black, but I don't have the slightest idea why it was so important. Surely, someone must have written up the matter of dress at Hertford?
The sort of pics I am looking for are the forme/informal frontal shots, showing the formal uniform only (not PT or working dress), like that at #1 on Much's album, but, hopefully, without the drainpipe.
Over our everyday uniform (navy gymslip and blue blouse in winter and candy-striped dress in summer) we would wear a blue pinafore, like a tabard effect, same shape front and back for meals cleaning (trades), etc., in year 11 (O level year, age 15/16) if you behaved yourself you were awarded a black apron (BA) which was, as you surmise, literally that, a skirt at the front with a bib and straps which crossed and buttoned to the waistband at the back. This gave you rights (and responsibilities), like being able to go into the library at break times and (much more importantly) go for a walk in 3's without a member of staff. The next step was to be made a monitress, depending on how many Upper Sixth in the house, some Lower Sixth could be made Mons, which gave you a green apron and you could go into town on your own.
These garments were also worn on a Sunday for meals over the Sunday best (No1's, also worn on St Matts Day and Speech Day etc), which was quite different from the everyday wear, right down to the shoes (black on Sunday and brown during the week, enclosed shoes in winter and sandals in the summer).
I think SWMNBN (a fearsome needlework teacher, who also oversaw the uniform) was trying to keep us up to date and also fit the uniform to the many shapes and sizes of girls. Result, 20 years out-of date and flattering no-one.
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