UNIFORMS IN ENGLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 137, 7 December 1938, Page 11

UNIFORMS IN ENGLAND

WHEN ATTIRE WAS EXACT

Signor Mussolini has decreed a uniform for all servants of the State in civil life, says the "Manchester Guardian." in some ways that may seem to be retrogression, for elderly people in this country will remember a day when there was a pretty rigorous rule of "uniform" in many departments of civil life in this country. It was quite the exception, within ' living memory, for members of the House of Commons to appear in the afternoon on the green benches other than in the frock-coat, striped trousers, and "topper" of the day. Banks were rigorous in their insistence on "uniform"; a very high white collar, plenty of white cuff frock-coat, "four-in-hand tie" with a neat pearl pin were exhibited behind the counters of London banks by the cashiers. It is very rare to see that "uniform" nowadays.

At the beginning of this century no "upper division" (as they were then called) clerks ever went to their offices except in similar "full fig^» with frock or "tail" coat. On the Stock Exchange silk ' hats were the invariable rule. Judges (or some of them) were quick to mark any divergence "from correct uniform by barristers, such as a flower or an ostentatious watch-chain. One Judge insisted on the sacrifice of a moustache.

The same stern -rule of uniformity obtained in society; the exact attire for an afternoon call, for a dance, for the stalls of a theatre was prescribed. Men did not think of going to church except in "uniform." whether it was the "blacks" of the working class or the full dress of the others. The variety of costume in modern life does &t least diversify the streets.