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Uniform
DESCRIPTION
DescriptionWhen MLC first opened, students were not required to wear a uniform. Instead, the expectation was for students to wear clothing of “plain and useful character” [1884 Prospectus]. The only official MLC item was a blue ribbon with the first College symbol, which was a dove holding an olive branch - which was to be worn on Speech Night (now Celebration Evening). This ribbon and symbol were replaced by the College Star badge in the 1890s.
By 1906, a green hatband and tie were worn by students along with their choice of blouse and skirt. In 1912, certain colours of clothing were required and by the 1920s, MLC’s first official uniform consisted of a dark blue tunic, blazer, and hat worn with a white blouse, green tie and green hatband, with many students, or their mothers, sewed their own uniforms.
Despite best intentions, uniforms tend to unite students through a shared dislike. After only ten years of having a uniform, students publicly noted their disdain of the dark uniform: “It seems strange in Melbourne’s Centenary Year that her youth should dress in Mourning. Dark tunics, blazers, shoes and stockings seem odd in the midst of gaiety…if our clothes were brighter, we too might become brighter” [Silver and Green, 1934]. This feedback was taken on by the College, which acknowledged that dark blue during the summer months was not ideal. In 1935, students were permitted to wear light grey instead of dark blue during the summer, which delighted many.
In 1937, the uniform changed from dark blue to grey, with a grey and green pinstripe tunic and blazer with grey hat, gloves and stockings. This uniform (often recalled with dislike by many Old Collegians) persisted with small changes for nearly 40 years.
By 1969, the drabness of the grey uniform was starting to wear on students with some referring to themselves as “grey-uniformed automatons” [Silver and Green, 1969]. The growing criticism and number of uniform violations led to the second major uniform change at MLC where things went from grey to green. The Winter uniform consisted of a green blazer, grey skirt, silver and green pinstripe blouse with green tie. There was an option of a grey V-neck jumper. The Summer uniform was a simple green and white checked dress
In 2002, the third major uniform change took place, with the current uniform being introduced. Consisting of a dark green blazer, black and green striped skirt and grey shirt with white collar. The winter uniform was later updated to offer trousers as an alternative to the winter skirt. More recently, the summer uniform was updated to include shorts and a short-sleeved shirt as an alternative to the summer dress. Date1882 -
By 1906, a green hatband and tie were worn by students along with their choice of blouse and skirt. In 1912, certain colours of clothing were required and by the 1920s, MLC’s first official uniform consisted of a dark blue tunic, blazer, and hat worn with a white blouse, green tie and green hatband, with many students, or their mothers, sewed their own uniforms.
Despite best intentions, uniforms tend to unite students through a shared dislike. After only ten years of having a uniform, students publicly noted their disdain of the dark uniform: “It seems strange in Melbourne’s Centenary Year that her youth should dress in Mourning. Dark tunics, blazers, shoes and stockings seem odd in the midst of gaiety…if our clothes were brighter, we too might become brighter” [Silver and Green, 1934]. This feedback was taken on by the College, which acknowledged that dark blue during the summer months was not ideal. In 1935, students were permitted to wear light grey instead of dark blue during the summer, which delighted many.
In 1937, the uniform changed from dark blue to grey, with a grey and green pinstripe tunic and blazer with grey hat, gloves and stockings. This uniform (often recalled with dislike by many Old Collegians) persisted with small changes for nearly 40 years.
By 1969, the drabness of the grey uniform was starting to wear on students with some referring to themselves as “grey-uniformed automatons” [Silver and Green, 1969]. The growing criticism and number of uniform violations led to the second major uniform change at MLC where things went from grey to green. The Winter uniform consisted of a green blazer, grey skirt, silver and green pinstripe blouse with green tie. There was an option of a grey V-neck jumper. The Summer uniform was a simple green and white checked dress
In 2002, the third major uniform change took place, with the current uniform being introduced. Consisting of a dark green blazer, black and green striped skirt and grey shirt with white collar. The winter uniform was later updated to offer trousers as an alternative to the winter skirt. More recently, the summer uniform was updated to include shorts and a short-sleeved shirt as an alternative to the summer dress. Date1882 -
ADMINISTRATION
Collection SummaryMLC has had several major changes to the uniform over the last 140+ years. To learn about these and view some example, explore this collection.
Uniform (1882 - ). MLC Collections, accessed 26/09/2026, https://mlccollections.mlc.vic.edu.au/nodes/view/56