Old Uniforms

As part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2004 Girlguiding Scotland held an exhibition of Brownie and Guide uniforms from 1909 to the present day. The exhibition had nearly a thousand visitors from all over the world and it was such a success that it was extended for another week. It shows real uniforms displayed at the exhibition which belonged to past and present Brownies and Guides.

The information comes from research from original handbooks (P.O.R.'s etc), CHQ resources (such as the Girlguiding UK website, "History Now" and "1910 and Then") as well as advice from Guiding Archivists. It represents the official uniforms of most eras. Not every variation or minor change in the uniform can be represented, particularly as girls often wore items that were available at the time or inherited from big sisters or borrowed from the Unit.

We are very grateful to Girlguiding Scotland for allowing us to share this excellent information on our Heritage website. If you want to buy your own copy of their book Guiding Through Time, see http://www.girlguidingscotland.org.uk/Publication/index.html

1967-1990 - Susan

In 1967 a new brown cotton dress was introduced for the Brownies with a yellow crossover tie.
In 1973 a knitted brown hat with a pom pom was introduced, replacing a brown beret.

1950-1966 - Dorothy

A brown wool beret was introduced for Brownies in 1950, and stockings were removed from the official Brownie uniform list. In 1964 Brownies were also allowed to wear a cardigan!

1990-2001 - Ashley

In 1990 Jeff Banks designed a whole new look for the Brownies. The girls could choose from a number of items, including sweatshirts, t-shirts, shorts, culottes, baseball cap and sweatpants. Brownies now wore their badges on a sash.

2002 - Chloe

Today's Brownie uniform was designed by dresser to the stars: Ally Capellino.
The clothes range today which is a modern collection of mix and match items which keeps the traditional Brownie colours with a touch of sky blue. It includes: hooded jackets, boot cut leggings, body warmers, t-shirts and skorts (shorts with a flat front like a skirt).

1934-1945 - Betty

A summer uniform was introduced for the Brownies as well as a cotton cloth hat that soon became the most popular item of head wear. Scottish Brownies were more likely to wear a hand-knitted cap with a tassel. Later they were given an option of wearing a gold rather than a brown tie, as long as the whole Pack wore the same.

1915-1933 - Helen

The Rosebuds were not very keen on their name. In 1915 Lord Baden Powell's sister Agnes suggested the name 'Brownies', who were helpful little creatures in a fairy story she loved.

There were several variations of uniforms for the Brownies, of which Helen is wearing a 1915-1916 version. The blue uniform continued as an alternative until 1921.

1914 - Mary

Brownies were originally called Rosebuds and were founded by Lord Robert Baden-Powell after the younger sisters of the Guides and Scouts showed an interest in joining the Guide Association. The Girl Guides Gazette suggested that Rosebuds wear a dark blue skirt, knitted jersey, cap or tam and the Rosebud Brooch.

GUIDES 1909-1916 - Elizabeth

There was no official Girl Guide uniform in 1908 because there were no Girl Guides! Girls wishing to be Scouts adapted the Scout Uniform. It was usually a khaki hat with Scout badge and a long green or navy skirt (not shown).
In 1910, Baden-Powell formed the Girl Guides and asked his sister Agnes to look after the new organisation. A few years later his wife Olave became involved and in 1918, was appointed Chief Guide.
In 1911 the colour blue was introduced as a uniform. The tie was knotted at one end if the Good Turn for the day was still to be done.

GUIDES 1930-1945 - Margaret

A dark blue cotton dress was introduced for Guides in 1929 and was very popular throughout the 1930s.
However the skirt and shirt could also be worn as an alternative. In the 1940s skirts were worn shorter. This reflected the fashion of the period and the fact that material for clothes was scarce during the war years.

GUIDES 1917-1929 - Ruth

By the 1920s there was a different look, shirts were commonly worn outside the skirt with a belt. This particular Guide uniform was used into the 1930s by a Ranger Guide (see lower badges on left arm).