Starting in the 1920s, sophomores returning to campus each September knew something special would be waiting for them–their class blazers. Picking up the large white boxes that held the blazers, safely encased in tissue paper, was an annual tradition for both men and women.
Now, a UD professor is looking to find a blazer from each class year to add to the University’s Historic Costume Collection. Fran Mayhew, associate professor of consumer studies, says she is hoping alumni also will share any memories they have about the blazers.
"Each class blazer is distinguished by a unique pocket design," Mayhew says. "Near the end of each freshman year, the University held a competition among students to create the pocket designs. Students would then place orders for their blazers. Usually, they could be ordered in navy blue or ivory with optional piping in gold or white. Some years they were single-breasted; other years, double-breasted."
When Mayhew was a UD student in the early ’60s, the blazers were worn by junior counselors, a select group of students who lived in the residence halls and acted as big sisters and big brothers to incoming freshmen.
Blazers also were worn for yearbook photos, to football games and on dates, Mayhew says. Women being serenaded by fraternity brothers always donned their blazers before they appeared to hear the songs, she adds.
"Of course, that was the time of dress codes (no slacks for women), 10 p.m. curfews and signing out of the dorm if you went out after 7 p.m.," she recalls.
Mayhew personally wore an ivory blazer from the Class of 1963 with the pocket emblazoned with the Latin words for "Knowledge is the Light of the Mind," accompanied by an embroidered rising sun, from the University’s seal.
In the late 1960s or early ’70s, when "traditions were begin re-evaluated and people were anxious to break away from ‘the establishment,’ the tradition of class blazers came to an end," Mayhew says.
Alumni who may have blazers stored in their attics or know of relatives who do are urged to contact Mayhew at (302) 831-8545 or via e-mail <Mayhew@udel.edu>