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What color were the original Girl Scout uniforms?

What color were the original Girl Scout uniforms?

The Girl Scouts of the USA is an iconic organization that has been empowering girls for over 100 years. Since its inception in 1912, the Girl Scouts have provided opportunities for girls to build skills, confidence, and courage through engaging programming focused on the outdoors, community service, entrepreneurship, and more. An important part of Girl Scout culture and recognition has always been the uniform. While the uniform has evolved over the decades, the original uniform colors hold an important place in Girl Scout history.

Founding of the Girl Scouts

The Girl Scouts were founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia. Low had met Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the scouting movement, and was inspired to bring a similar program to America for girls. Low organized the first Girl Guide troop in 1912, which was renamed the Girl Scouts in 1913.

The idea of scouting for girls quickly spread across the country. By the end of 1913, there were Girl Scout troops organized in 12 states. Within a few years, there were thousands of members and troops nationwide.

Purpose and Design of the Original Uniform

When Low founded the Girl Scouts, she decided creating a uniform would be important for giving the girls a sense of belonging and sisterhood. The original uniform was designed to be affordable and accessible. It consisted of a blue dress with white collar and white canvas belt, along with a campaign hat and black tie.

The color blue was purposefully chosen by Low to align with the blue uniforms worn by the Boy Scouts at the time. The blue communicated a parallel sense of legitimacy and adventure between the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Evolution of the Girl Scout Uniform

While the original blue uniform served the Girl Scouts well for many years, the design was eventually updated over time:

Year Uniform Update
1917 Khaki uniform option introduced
1925 Forest green uniforms introduced
1936 First commercial clothing partnership for uniforms established
1948 Green zip-front uniform adopted
1980 Updated all-green uniforms introduced; no more blue uniforms

As Girl Scouting evolved over the decades, the uniforms changed to reflect the activities and priorities of each era. The early blue and khaki signified the Scouts’ origins as a paramilitary organization focused on rugged outdoor exploration. The shift to green aligned more closely with the woodland environment where scouts camped and hiked. While many different uniforms have been used, they all maintain the iconic look and feel that is uniquely Girl Scout.

Rare Images of the Original Uniform

Very few color photographs exist of Girl Scouts wearing the original blue uniforms from the 1910s and 1920s. However, a handful of rare black and white images provide a window into this important part of Girl Scout history:

Girl Scouts in early blue uniforms, mid-1920s.
One of the earliest images of Girl Scouts in uniform, 1915.

These photographs provide a valuable visual record of the iconic original uniforms. The early Scouts wearing these uniforms embodied the spirit of adventure and service that remains at the core of Girl Scouting today.

Original Uniform on Display at Girl Scout Museum

Girl Scout uniforms from all eras of the organization’s history are preserved at the Girl Scout Museum in New York City. This includes rare original examples of the founding blue and khaki uniforms from the 1910s.

Visitors can view a display featuring an original blue dress uniform donated by one of the very first Girl Scouts, Helen Damage. The uniform is over 100 years old but remains in good condition, providing a tangible link to the earliest days of Girl Scouting.

Seeing the first uniform design brings to life the experience of the brave, forward-thinking girls who joined Low’s mission to bring opportunities to girls across the nation. The simple blue cotton dress represents the revolutionary genesis of the Girl Scouts that has impacted millions of girls over ten decades and counting.

Legacy of the Blue Uniform

While no longer the official uniform, the blue uniform of the 1910s and 20s remains an iconic symbol of Girl Scout history. The blue communicates the parallel founding origins of Girl Scouting alongside the Boy Scouts. It also signifies the courage of Low and the first Scouts to bring scouting to girls in a new and bold way.

When girls first donned the inaugural blue uniforms, it marked a pivotal new chapter in expanding possibilities for them beyond the home. The uniform gave them a sense of legitimacy and unity as Girl Scouts.

Over one hundred years later, millions of girls and alumni fondly remember their days wearing the green Girl Scout uniform, one of the most recognizable youth uniforms in the world. They all share a special bond that traces back to those pioneering girls in blue who kickstarted the Girl Scout movement back in 1912. The original blue uniform remains an important part of Girl Scouting’s rich heritage as an organization dedicated to building girls of courage, confidence, and character.

Conclusion

The iconic Girl Scout uniform has gone through various design changes since Juliette Gordon Low first organized Girl Scout troops in the early 1910s. The original uniform colors of navy blue and khaki signified the Scouts’ adventurous, outdoorsy roots. While green eventually became the color most associated with Girl Scout identity, the blue and khaki hold an important place in Girl Scout history as the uniform of the trailblazing founders. Seeing the rare early uniform examples at the Girl Scout Museum provides a special glimpse into the organization’s past. The first Girl Scouts to don the inaugural blue uniforms paved the way for generations of girls to enjoy camaraderie, growth opportunities, and cherished Girl Scout memories.