Uniform Shop

The history of our uniform...

In 1790s England, when the boys first arrived at Stonyhurst from Liège, boys were expected to arrive with this new uniform already made up, and the College tailors would make up new items thereafter.

The sleeves on this coat have been let down more than once as its owner has grown suddenly, as boys do. The breeches are cut high at the back, and both waistcoat and coat are of light, but very soft wool, with high collars, and a wool cravat to keep the neck warm. The stockings are of fine lambswool and come over the knee. They are kept in place by the buttons on the knee breeches. It was not easy to pull these soft kid breeches on in the morning, so the tailor provided leather tabs to help.

The hat is trimmed with foumart or polecat fur. These cousins of ferrets were hunted with specially-bred dogs, each wearing a small bell around its neck so its progress underground could be tracked. Charles Waterton was appointed foumart-killer when he was at the College from 1796, and he provided the tailor with all the fur required. Such was his attachment to his time at Stonyhurst, he had his tailor continue to alter his uniform so that he could wear it throughout the rest of his life.