September means new pencils, fresh notebooks and, of course, the return of the school uniform. While there’s still plenty of debate around what students should wear — with rising costs meaning second-hand uniforms are more common — the start of term always sparks nostalgia. So we dusted off our old photos to share our old school days looks. Some outfits stand the test of time (sort of), others… not so much.
Grey days and big hair
Founder and Creative Director Janice (left) models Reepham High School’s grey on grey ensemble, as well as 1984’s classic ‘kitchen-scissors’ fringe. Her pleated knee length skirt is set off a treat by thick white tights – iconic. Our production guru Amanda, meanwhile, keeps it cool in a classic navy v-neck beneath her tumbling waves. It was the 70s after all – Farrah Fawcett, eat your heart out!
The 90s yellow takeover
While the rest of us were battling with polyester blazers, Annelie (left) was living the dream in Sweden — no school uniform in sight. Here she is in 1995 in Fagersjöskolan (skolan = school), Fagersjö, a suburb of Stockholm, showing off a bright printed hoodie and matching flower scrunchy. Amie sports another skew-whiff school photo fringe from her days at Merdale School, Kent, in the 90s. But elevates the look in a buttermilk yellow – very 2025 – sweatshirt and classic white polo.
From pinafores to pigtails
Wonky fringes were clearly standard issue in late-80s Oxfordshire, too. Anna (left), our digital content manager, sports hers with a cheeky grin and navy pinafore lifted straight out of Field Grey’s Readywear line. Fast forward to the mid-2000s in West Yorkshire, and design assistant Maddy’s on trend gingham school dress and cobalt cardi are teamed with matchy-matchy blue ribbons in her pigtails. Very considered.
We’d love to see yours – share your throwback school photos with us on Instagram @fieldgreystudio