PCW School Uniform
During the 1880s and 1890s, uniform as we know it, along with strict timetables, was foreign to PCW. The ankle length dark-coloured dress, piped with white and matching cuffs, left plenty of scope for individuality, expressed buttons, bows, flounces, frills and an occasional train. A dignified outfit demanding good deportment was the basic principle. Early in the 20th century, the white lace collar expanded to become a distinguishing feature. Again, individuality was evident in size and shape.
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A photograph taken in 1911 shows there was a sprinkling of skirts and white blouses among the dresses with generous white collars or high collars some adorned with a brooch. Hair worn long often held in place with a large bow was apparently the height of fashion. Many of the girls are wearing the Children of Mary ribbon medal.
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In about 1922, the lace collar disappeared in favour of the white blouse. Some of the collars have loosened to the point of being sailor-like, with the occasional time and the three-box-pleat navy blue pinafore gaining ground.
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The 1930s brought a strong emphasis on uniformity, which was to reach its peak during and immediately after World War II, 1939 - 1945. Strict attention to detail from head to toe, complete with hat and gloves, effectively displayed in precision marching, for example in the streets on Empire Day and St Patrick's Day, was so much in tune with the times. High collars returned, this time held firmly in place by the tie and the tie pin. The College badge, originally designed by Mother Stanislaus McCarthy, was now pinned to the tie. For quite some time, prior to wartime rationing, the navy blue tunic material boasted a very faint gold and green stripe, and the blouse a fine green and white check. The navy blazer was braided in any striped with bottle green and gold, badge and motto on the upper pocket and the crest repeated on the hatbands of the summer and winter hats. Stockings at first were black and later grey, bringing them into line with the stockings already being worn with the grey, then green and white check dress. These were pre 'pantihose days' and the suspender belts often had a mind of their own! Shoes were black, preferably sporting a buckle, until buckles began to go off the market. Buckley and Nunn in the city were the uniform suppliers.
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To keep the school colours flying wen the wartime restrictions cut in was a real challenge. A navy blue blazer was available but the braid had to be applied. Quite a job! Expert seamstresses were urgently required! A standard navy blue tunic prevailed, but there was a time when it was almost impossible to purchase the summer dress material. Quite possibly that is why a plain navy blue dress with detachable white Peter Pan collar and cuffs became the summer dress during these years. Mothers were encouraged to sew all pieces of the uniform, even the blazer, and patterns were freely passed around.
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Sr Lucy vividly recalls the introduction of the green gingham summer dress. It was in the early 50s and at the time of the young Queen Elizabeth's visit to Australia Windsor girls, wearing their new summer dresses together with students from neighbouring schools, formed a guard of honour near the present railway bridge as the Queen passed along Chapel Street on route to a luncheon in St Kilda.
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Around 1960, the Panama style hat changed to the smaller bowler style with the turned up brim - bottle green velour for winter and cream straw for summer. The tunic now sported a v shaped neckline with a central large box pleat and knife pleats on either side. The beige blouse was worn with a bottle green tie. Tan long socks or stockings were worn with brown shoes and the fawn gloves, considered so very important on all school outings, completed the uniform.
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Late in the 70s the real greening of PCW began! The navy blazer and jumper suddenly switched to bottle green. A green skirt replaced the tunic. The hats, ties and gloves completely disappeared! Gradually sports uniforms, track suits and even rugby tops became part of the official PCW uniform.
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In 2003, the uniform reverted to being predominately navy blue. The navy blue blazer, with the monogram worked in white on the pocket, is worn with a navy, green and gold tartan skirt and blue-grey over blouse with a white collar. The summer dress had its latest upgrade in 2012 using a blue white and green check fabric set off by a white trimmed collar, in a comfortable design. The fashions may ave changed but the old school colours have remained the constants!
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Compiled by Sisters Lucy Gaffy, Mary Kavangh (Rosaria) pbvm and Pauline Wilson (King).
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