School uniforms have been an integral part of the student experience at McDonogh. Whether military or civilian, the ever-evolving uniform has provided continuity, stability, and a sense of identity for all who wore them. Issued to all boys entering the school beginning November of 1873, military uniforms were required dress until the program was abolished in 1971. During that century, there were many variations of the uniform, and styles changed, overlapped, and/or were occasionally modified. For 45 years beginning around 1904, students wore the West Point pattern jacket. Over the years, minor modifications were made—black trim, sky blue trim, bottom slits, then no slits—until a totally different jacket style was introduced in the fall of 1949, the Eisenhower (or “Ike” jacket). In 1956, the Eisenhower jacket was replaced by what was generically referred to as the “dress jacket,” which was worn by students until the military program ended.
In 1971, a new dress code was introduced. The most noticeable change was civilian dress and the longer, but restricted length of hair, and a school jacket of blue, black, and red plaid, resembling the McDonogh Clan plaid. According to the June 1979 Board of Trustees minutes, girls’ uniforms were addressed for the first time.
Today, the McDonogh uniform–khaki pants and leggings, a custom plaid jumper in McDonogh colors, and school-branded sweatshirts, are variations on past themes and reflect a more modern attitude, but the navy blue blazer with the McDonogh seal continues to give the uniform continuity. Read the full story on page 36.
