CAPS were once an essential part of the uniform at some schools. But many boys hated them and were often criticised for the way they wore them.

It was a subject high of the agenda at Oxford Education Committee meetings, where councillors deplored declining standards.

Even the Oxford Mail added its pennyworth. Its diary columnist wrote in 1955 that comments were heard “almost daily in the city about the slovenly appearance of a minority of boys attending leading schools”.

The reporter added: “The standard of tidiness has dropped a great deal, especially in the post-war years. One sees school caps at all sorts of angles, some perched almost on the nape of the neck like a skull cap that has slipped, others with peaks bent almost out of any recognised shape.

“Ties are like bits of string and the knot is often anywhere but under the chin.

“Most noticeable, however, are shoes.

The slovenly boys have not applied a brush in months. Once there would have been a sharp note to parents from the school authorities.”

The newspaper comments followed a discussion at a city education committee meeting where councillors voiced their concerns.

Councillor Alec Parker said: “None of the boys wear their caps properly and they hate wearing them. Many caps seem to be made of inferior material and have shrunk, with the result that they don’t fit and they look horrible.”

He suggested that boys should be excused wearing caps, but Councillor Kathleen Lower said that if a cap was part of the school uniform, it should be worn.

She added: “Not only should they be expected to wear them, but they should be taught when and how to doff them – a form of discipline and good manners which is so often lacking.”

Councillor Marcus Lower said that one problem was that because hairdressing costs were so high, pupils let their hair grow and it was then difficult for their caps to fit on their heads.

Councillor Parker returned to the attack two years later when he told the committee boys would be better off not wearing caps.

He said: “I was wondering whether it is bad material or because the boys have so much hair. It is a most deplorable sight to see the way boys go about the city.”

Councillor Mrs Lower asked: “Is it not the sloppy attitude of dress that youngsters have these days that is the trouble?”

Despite their criticisms, councillors decided they had no power to intervene – it was a matter for headmasters to deal with.

What did you most hate about school uniform? Write and let me know.

Memory Lane this week