When I started at Paddock House in 1976 the list of uniform was immense and only sold in one shop. There was a winter and summer uniform with a felt hat for winter and a straw boater for summer, winter coat and summer blazer, indoor and out door shoes and a full PE kit. When my Aunts went there in the 1950's apparently they also had to have a school umbrella (to be carried at all times) and white gloves for summer and brown ones for winter!. You were not allowed to wear patent leather shoes as they said they would reflect your knickers!!
I suspect that these days, with so many basic items being sold at chain stores, uniform actually costs relatively less than it used to....