100 years of Girl Scout uniforms

4/16/2014

Last weekend as my husband and I made our weekly foray to the farmer's market, I noticed the window of my town's historical society was filled with vintage Girl Scout uniforms!

The sign said "Celebrating 100 years of Girl Scouting." Well, technically they are two years late. The anniversary was in 2012, but it made me nostalgic. I learned to embroider wearing a Brownie uniform just like this one hanging in that window. So I thought I could find out about the history of Girl Scout uniforms.

This link will take you to Juliette Gordon Low's website to learn more about her.

I came across this beautiful portrait of her in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC a couple years ago. It was painted by Patrick A. Tupa in 1887 when she was 17 years old.

But back to the uniforms!

Here is Ms. Low with two Girl Scouts. Looks like mid-1910s to me. Note that one girl has a skirt and blouse and the other is a dress. Kind of a feminine take off of a WWI uniform.

These 2 images show the uniform from 1928. I love the 1920's styling with the hat.

This uniform is from the 30s. See how the color has changed to a less muddy shade of green.

But, then in 1948 the famous American fashion designer Mainbocher designed all new uniforms. Of course he was known more for garments like this ...

But, if he was good enough for the Navy, he was good enough for the Girl Scouts. He designed this uniform for the Navy Nurses Corps in 1941.

His uniform stayed for a while with little change ... on to the 50th anniversary in 1962. There's that Brownie uniform I had.

What are those Brownies doing wearing lipstick?!

But, uniforms are fashion, too. And this new set was adopted from 1963 through 1975.

Halston's design - 1978

Bill Blass - 1984

And to keep the Moms interested a couple more famous designers were brought in to create the adult leader's uniform.

Honestly, I don't know if these uniforms would have motivated me to become a scout leader, a little too green. But ... it's amazing what you won't do for your kids, no matter what the uniform is ...

That's me and my boys ... a while ago.

If you were thrifty, you could always make your own, using an official pattern even.

You can see the Girl Scout license has taken turns at several pattern companies.

So, what are the current Girl Scouts wearing?? Nothing as formal as they used to wear.

This image is for uniforms from the late 80s - early 90s. The uniform is basically blouses and vests.

The adult uniform has morphed into sweats and hoodies.

This is the newest Brownie uniform, straight from the official Girl Scout website. It's not even BROWN!!.

But, I'm happy to say Girl Scout uniforms are still being made in the USA.

Why am I having this craving for a Thin Mint cookie?

At least some things stay the same - sort of.

35 Comments

Proud Girl Scout

4/16/2014 12:31:26 am

Hi, Andrea:
I had some of these uniforms as well. The one labeled 1963 is 1973 because I had to get the updated Cadette uniform. I preferred the 1962 version and still have both of them. I also have my original Brownie dress. I have one from the 40s also like my mother would have worn. Thanks for this posting!

Renee

4/16/2014 02:42:50 pm

Thank you for paying tribute to something I still consider to be a noble cause. My mom made my uniform too - circa 1973 or so.
As a former scout who went to camp by way of my cookies sales, I will always buy a box when they're around. ;-)

justine link

7/30/2014 03:38:24 pm

What a fantastic post! We found my 6 year old a 1950's Brownie costume at the flea market and she used to just love wearing it everywhere. The history of the uniforms is so fascinating!

Roxanne Boyle

11/22/2014 09:44:40 am

I have a historic MAriner Scout uniform from about 1958. Does anybody collect these? I am happy to donate it; good condition!

Joan Waldron

3/9/2016 07:13:33 pm

I don't know of any collectors, but I donated mine to my old GS Council and they were thrilled to get it. No hat, thought. That was stolen right off my head, just as subway door s closed the weekend after Kennedy was killed. I graduated HS 1964 and was a Scout to the end . aLl of our uniforms were second (or more) hand, as you could no longer buy the Mariner uniform anywhere. You could still buy the. Mariner Scout pin however. I did not give that with the uniform, as I have worn it to a few parades, etc when I knew that GS troops would be there. It has been a cause of much conversation and a moment to talk about GS history...

Deborah Lockridge

1/26/2015 05:33:29 am

Fun post! But that is not today's "official" Brownie uniform. It still consists of a brown vest or sash. All level vests/sash/tunics are worn with white shirt and khaki pants or skirt or shorts. For Daisy and Brownie levels you can still get "official" uniform pieces including the iconic Brownie beanie. Adults are supposed to wear a navy suit, or navy slacks and white shirt, perhaps with a Girl Scout scarf or cardigan. But a lot of troops and leaders go with more casual outfits for some meetings and especially camp outings, such as custom matching T-shirts with their troop number and troop-designed graphics.

Mary Camp

1/31/2015 10:34:08 pm

Love this article. I was researching the old uniform. I'm in a Women's Club and we are having a program to honor influential women of history. I was a girl scout from Brownie all the way to leader of my Senior year troop ( Our leader only spoke Germany and we had to get special permission for me to run the troop). 1956-1967. I will be Juliet Lowe for our program. Thank for doing this article.

Claire

3/20/2015 07:34:06 am

I have a 60's Modes Royale pattern for an adult Girl Scout uniform. It's still in the original plastic it came in!

Kim Herrera

1/20/2016 09:58:13 pm

Hello! The photo you have of Ms. Low and the two others..I have 2. uniforms. Both are the skirt and blouse uniform shown. One blouse has 10 badges sewn on the sleeve. I also have one of the hats. They have been in our family for years... I would like to find out what they are worth as I am considering selling them. Could you guide me in any way? Thank you, Kim

Andrea

1/22/2016 05:11:29 pm

So sorry, Kim. That is way out of my area of expertise! Keep looking on line, I'm sure you will find someone who knows.

Leah Reynolds link

1/22/2016 07:52:53 pm

You can get a feel for what the value is if you look on eBay. They frequently have GS auctions.

Marianna Gilbertson link

3/2/2016 09:56:43 am

My Girl Scout group earned their Silver Award in 2007 with a fashion show called: "Blast from the Past".

I would have loved to know about this blog or web site than. Thanks.

Mona Henderson

3/4/2016 10:09:57 am

I agree with 'Proud Girl Scout', the picture identified as 1963 should be for 1973 or later. I started as a Brownie Girl Scout in 1962, and we still wore the little belted dress without a sash. I continued on through the levels until I was a Senior Girl Scout. The uniforms I wore were the ones shown near the Mainbocher Naval uniform, so that would have been through the early 70's.

I personally prefer the look of the uniforms that were worn during my time. They actually have uniformity - and isn't that the point of having a 'uniform'? The only required component now is the vest. It is actually kind of sad. My little granddaughter is a Daisy Girl Scout. She has the tunic and all the coordinating pieces, including the Daisy Beanie. She went to sell cookies at a Veterans center the other day. Out of respect for veterans she decided to wear her full uniform. She looked super cute and as professional as a tiny little wee girl can look!

On that note... I discovered this site in my search for an older Brownie uniform for my granddaughter. She would like one of the dresses, but we would consider one of the jumper and blouse combinations as well. If anyone can provide any suggestions we would appreciate it!

Jean Carter

3/16/2016 08:56:07 am

I was in scouting my whole life right through seniors and the uniform you have where you have the brownies, junior, Cadette, seniors and adut ..the senor uniform for 1963 is incorrect. We wore the dark green suit type uniform..straight skirt with button down top, gold small tie around the neck that uniform was worn all through high schoolThe hat was the cornered almost military type hat..loved seeing all the uniforms over the years..therewas also the Mariner uniforms also. Thank you

3/16/2016 08:59:06 am

I meant to add this comment to my previous post..I also liked the uniforms of my time. They became too un uniform like over the years and scouts were wearing anything and everything with these vests. I realize its important to keep up with the times buty uniform is important..it was to us. I think they are somewhat sloppy looking now. sorry

3/18/2016 07:57:31 am

I agree. I recently Googled images of Girl Scout uniforms. As all the photos came up onscreen together one couldn't help but notice how sloppy the new 'uniforms' look. Even my 7 year old granddaughter could see the difference!

Dee Maupin

9/30/2017 11:28:53 am

I agree about the current sloppy anything does style of GS dress. I think they should rethink/restyle their uniforms.

Shanna Hudson-Stowe

9/9/2016 11:14:01 am

nice collection!!! thanks for putting up these wonderful images. My comments:

The picture labeled 1963 is incorrect. It should be 1973/4. The small image above was the standard through the 1960s with the three girls (belted dresses.... then skirt with slash).

The first image was more like the early 1930s. The drop waist, a boy tie, the wide belt, and the skull hat are dead giveaways for that period Anything that showed that much leg was not going to approved for young girls before then, even in the 1920s. Skull caps did not become common till the 1930s.

As for the picture of Ms. Low and counterparts, I'm betting that dates to the early 20s. Note that dresses are very low with their legs opaquely covered, and loosely belted.

Gretchen

9/21/2016 03:02:37 pm

As a Brownie in the 1980s my parents could not afford the entire Brownie outfit, it was well over $100 for the jumper, shirt, tie, hat, etc... I am very glad they have done away with that expensive uniform and gone to a more affordable vest or sash, it allows all kids to feel included.

pipra link

10/18/2016 06:10:22 pm

this was very usedfull thank you

Betsy

1/12/2017 10:55:20 am

I loved this post. I work for a Girl Scout council store where we sell the uniforms, and it is interesting to see the history behind them. I was told that the relaxing of the uniform requirements was in response to surveys done in the 1980's, asking girls directly why our membership numbers were down, and one of the common replies was that the girls did not like the uniforms.
It is interesting to me to see that the pendulum is starting to swing back in the other direction...girls themselves are requesting the full official uniform in response to seeing their images on social media. The girls want to make a clear statement (visually) that when they are doing community service on behalf of scouting, they want to be recognized as such.
Thank you again for the fantastic post!

Cookie Dad

7/17/2017 05:58:04 pm

Imagine a designer creating a new modern uniform set. The formal uniforms didn't need to be dunmped in the 80"s, they needed to be modernized by someone with style.

Destiny link

6/8/2017 02:45:47 pm

i want to be a girl scout to pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees .

Betsy link

6/9/2017 06:53:21 am

Destiny,
We would love to have you join Girl Scouts! Here is a link so you can find a Girl Scout Council in your area:
http://www.girlscouts.org/en/about-girl-scouts/join/council-finder.html
Make sure that if you are under 18 you ask a parent or guardian to help you join!
Yours in Scouting,
Betsy

COOKIE DAD

7/17/2017 05:52:31 pm

Great Article. The Girl Scout in green that you are calling a Brownie is actually a Junior (my daughter is currently a Junior) and the brownie uniform is still brown but that's not the reason for my comment.
What I would really like you or any other talented designer to do is to design a set of new modern "formal" uniforms. Polos and vests are so plain.The casual look is boring. It would be great for the girls to get back to looking like scouts.
It would be a challenge but I haven't found anything. I was talking to the CEO of my council and she is interested in what I find and come up with. Are you p for the challenge? Who knows?? What if Girl Scouts of America chose your designs? I think the challenge is to create uniforms that today's girl scouts age Junior and up would like to wear and not feel dorky in. Something with pride and class.

SMiaVS

11/8/2018 06:39:30 pm

She was referring to the light blue jogging suit, which, of course, isn't the official uniform either, but I'm pretty sure the green was just an extra photo. Light blue has been an accent color for the brownies since the 1990s and the blue jogging suit is just a sportswear option.

Jane Strauss link

8/14/2017 03:57:36 pm

The uniforms you listed as 1963 were not. I was a girll scout from 1963 through 1969, and those uniforms look far more like the 80s than the 60s. We had as Juniors a short sleeve dress and as Cadettes a white blouse and a dark green A line skirt - with a tab that had a yellow trefoil on it.

Leslie Parker

8/18/2017 03:50:17 pm

i am a photographer and looking for a few good condition brownie and girl scout uniforms to rent or buy for a photo shoot

8/26/2017 02:27:35 pm

I was a Brownie, girl Scout, and Cadette from 1962-1969. the alleged 1963 uniforms do not appear like anything I or my troopmates wore in that time period. The brownie uniform ws the same as yours, and the Girl Scout and Cadette uniforms in the picture with it were the ones worn throughout the 60s I believe the ones labeled 1963 were actually from the 1970s.

Betsy Norton

8/31/2017 10:17:07 am

Leslie Parker, many councils have history and archives committees that have vintage uniforms in good condition for display. Check with your local council.

Lois Lane

2/23/2018 06:26:55 am

Nice nostalgic retrospective. I also think the picture identified as 1963-1970 was not introduced until the early1970's. I wore the previous generation brownie and junior uniform, my sister (two years younger) got the new style somewhere between 1969 and 1973 which is when I believe it was first introduced.

Nellie M (Madison) Strayhon

3/6/2018 08:16:12 am

I suppose I am the oldest Girl Scout around because I joined the Girl Scouts in 1949.

The uniforms were dark green (a dress that buttoned all the way down the front), a green cord-like belt, a yellow tie, a green beret hat and green socks, (I was 7 years old).

Being a Girl Scout was very important to us, and we would never wear an incomplete uniform.

We were a poor community in Indianapolis, Indiana, and our troop mothers and leaders provided a fund to assist those of us who's families couldn't afford the complete uniform.

In those days a Girl Scout was indeed "a sister to every other Girl Scout, and would proudly and lovingly salute other Girl Scouts as we passed each other.

I have seen Scouts today that didn't even acknowledge each other.

Girls, try to realize the self-pride of the wonderful organization of which you are a vital part!!

Barbara Ferron

4/17/2018 10:34:04 am

I fell in love with the Mainbocher 1940's uniforms but I had to wear the current 1960's uniform which were like the picture where you point out that the girls are wearing lipstick. Which is just before the one labeled 1963.

Valerie Klaassen

5/9/2018 04:58:23 am

I was a Girl Scout, and I wore the green dress uniforms. All of those uniforms are now gone. I wish they would come back.

Amanda Cotter

6/26/2018 10:33:53 pm

I’m confused. I started as a Pixie, then became a brownie and then a Girl Scout. No one else was a Pixie first?

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100 years of Girl Scout uniforms

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