Busted Traditions

Already stripped of many old traditions, Eton last week sacrificed one of its most sacred: its uniform. The world's best-dressed schoolboys always had to wear black striped trousers with their Eton jackets, a different prescribed outfit for every occasion, every sport. Headmaster Claude Elliott sent to parents of prospective matriculants a sad note:

"It has been decided that the college dress shall remain unaltered except that any kind of grey trousers may be worn with tails or jackets. In addition, new boys may continue to wear at Eton the overcoat, shoes, grey flannel trousers, football boots and fives clothes which they already possess. The Eton tailors have a large quantity of second-hand tail coats, jackets, waistcoats and trousers which can be purchased without [ration] coupons at small cost. The use of these will help to conserve existing supplies of cloth and clothes."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.