What has officially commenced ‘Senior Season’ for countless Hockaday upperclassmen? Ring Day.
Every May, juniors commemorate their induction as the leaders of the school with a ceremony where they receive their class ring and wear the signature white blazer for the first time.
The unsung hero behind the celebration are the uniform companies that make these special blazers. They also supply the rest of the students will all their school apparel. However, Hockaday’s current uniform supplier, Dennis (previously known as Mills), has gone out of business, sparking questions about the future of our uniform.
History
The school uniform is as old as the institution itself. Ela Hockaday required uniforms upon Hockaday’s establishment in 1913, forbidding makeup and jewelry (other than the senior ring). She believed that this would inspire a democratic attitude in her students by highlighting the importance of equal opportunities, regardless of any kind of privilege.
The first iteration of the uniform consisted of black pleated bloomers with white middy blouses, wool stockings and hip-length green sweaters. Later, in the thirties, it evolved into a full two-piece set with a blouse and a matching, pleated skirt that had to be worn long and with at least three yards around the hem.
However, following World War II, the school altered the uniform to embody utility, consisting of a shirt that was connected to shorts (with a skirt worn over the shorts). When participating in physical activity, the girls would simply remove their skirts and be ready to run and jump around.
Despite its ever-evolving nature, Hockaday’s uniform has consistently provided identity and conversation topics for its students. One of the most popular pastimes of Daisies in the 1950s was to think of re-designs for their attire.
The white blazers are a long-standing tradition at Hockaday as they came to fruition in the ‘50s while the modern uniform was adapted in the 1970s.
Senior Blazers
Members of the Class of 2026 had a scheduled fitting for their white blazers in late October, but the event got canceled just the day before.
“We were notified the day before the blazer fitting that Dennis was not coming to the fitting,” Form III parent representative Courtney Johnson ‘97 said. “This led us to believe there was a bigger issue with the company and not that they just had to miss our Blazer fitting.”
When the students and parents checked the Dennis website, they noticed that all the company’s stores were classified as temporarily closed and that online purchases were unavailable.
“Thankfully our original date was on the early side, so we still have time [to figure something out],” Johnson said.
However, this still leaves the rest of the school, who also buy their uniforms from Dennis, in the lurch about next year.
Student Opinion
The Hockaday uniform evokes a sense of nostalgia, and for Form III student Mischa Rutledge, it contributes to a feeling of inclusivity within the school community.
“Wearing the uniform creates a sense of belonging and uniformity within the school,” Rutledge said. “Every time I put on my uniform, I feel a part of our shared history and values.”
The fitting has been rescheduled for November 19, and juniors are excited to take the first step towards wearing their white blazers.
“It is something we have heard about since we were little and have been looking forward to for so long,” Rutledge said. “Even the thought of possibly missing out on the tradition or the white blazer is unsettling.”
Rutledge has been a student at Hockaday for 11 years and has many memories tied to her uniform, a familiar part of her everyday life at the school. From the first day she wore it to her future last day, the uniform has been a constant through her academic journey and experiences that have shaped her time at Hockaday.
“One of my favorite memories was when I tried it on when I first came to Hockaday,” Rutledge said. “In lower school, we wear the jumper over the blouse, and I wore the blouse over the jumper because I did not know how to wear it correctly.”
Rutledge mentioned how, though she values the traditions that come with uniform, she would appreciate seeing one change in the clothes: a decrease in the price.
“I know it is a big part of the school culture, but it could be a burden for some families,” Rutledge said. “Lowering the price would make everyone a part of the tradition without feeling the financial stress.”
Randal Rhodus
Assistant Head of School Randal Rhodus ‘97 is confident that the change in uniform supplier will not affect any upcoming events.
“Juniors do not need to worry,” Rhodus said. “Regardless of what uniform company we decide to go with it, the blazer fitting is on the calendar.”
During the summer, the uniform company also had many postponements, which caught the eye of Rhodus and her team.
“We noticed this summer there were a lot of delays in our uniform items, so we started having some beginning conversations with other uniform companies,” Rhodus said. “When Dennis announced they were going out of business, it fast-tracked that process.”
For families who placed orders on items that Dennis was unable to provide, Rhodus says the two potential new uniform companies will be able to provide some restitution.
With administration currently deciding between a few uniform companies, a decision is expected to come out in the coming weeks.
“I have narrowed it down to two uniform companies,” Rhodus said. “We are looking at the cost per unit, the fabrics, the terms of agreement and other kinds of things they can offer our families and students. As soon as we sign off with the company, we are going to notify families.”
As Hockaday makes its transition to its next uniform supplier, Risse Brothers, there are no expected changes to the general feel of the blazers.
“[The blazers] are a very custom piece, having a white blazer with a green trim is not very common,” Rhodus said. “We have a lot of specialty items which makes us a very unique client, and we are not making any changes to move to a different fabric.”
As the school navigates this transition, both students and parents are hopeful that the tradition of the Hockaday uniform will continue to serve as a symbol of unity and pride for years to come. With the new supplier of the Risse Brothers on the horizon, the future of the beloved white blazers remains secure, and the Class of 2026 is eager to embrace the tradition that has been part of Hockaday’s history for generations.
