To be pleasantly surprised (Girlguiding uniform)

Oh yes!
Only when I joined Brownies it was the beret, the bobble hat came while I was there (I think!)

@modgepodge every division is different to what they do. Generally any outdoor meeting with the exception of camps or jamboree should be uniform as they are a uniformed organisation. You can still run around in a shirt climbing high ropes or whatever. Lower half doesn't have a uniform code so they wear what they like. Our division we still expect children in uniform, I personally relax it in the warmer months as the jumpers for Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs are quite thick. With scouting you know that it's one or two items whereas in Girlguiding I think I read there were 30 options per section?

Another Brownie leader and pleasantly surprised with the new uniform, not sure what I was expecting but they've clearly thought through all the options and listened to lots of members.

Some people were really nasty in the chat! Though I was pleased it didn't get taken over by the trans lobby, like a lot of their social media recently.

Urgh, couldnt disagree more!

Too many Sunday mornings spent freezing to death in a thin polycotton dress and knee socks in a draughty old church in winter, as we were not allowed to wear coats, cardigans or tights on church parade!

And those dresses were not practical for a lot activities.

Felt a right plonker in those stupid hats too!

And here.
I think there is a reluctance, understandably to not ask people in essence to buy 2 uniforms.
Although our explorer unit have practical hoodies then shirts for parade which I think does help in keeping them engaged etc
I like the new uniform but agree one consistent, practical uniform would be welcomed by everyone

The vast majority of Scout groups still use the official uniform in my experience. (Which is polo shirt and jumper for Squirrels, Beavers and Cubs, and the shirts for Scouts and Explorers).

Pencil ,paper, piece of string, clean white hanky, safety pin. Elastoplast in case I fall and 20 pence for a telephone call.

I think I am saying the same thing as you. It’s not because it’s causal, it’s because they won’t all look the same. And that’s an issue out an about too. At the moment, it’s easier to spot them in public. Parade is also our most public event, so important to look consistent I think.

Isn’t parade a fairly rare event compared to all the other events scouts do though? Seems odd to base a whole uniform on a once or twice a year event IMO. Every time I’ve seen scouts/cubs out on trips they all seem to be wearing T-shirts or poloshirts in a random colour (purple and turquoise yesterday) with their unit individual name and the scout logo on - essentially each unit seems to invent their own uniform?

Seems much more sensible to me to plan a uniform around camping, high ropes, running around playing games, going to a theme park etc, than marching a couple of times a year.

Anyway, I really like the new uniforms and my brownie is very jealous she doesn’t get to have the new rainbows uniform!

As above though, one of the reasons I read justifying the change was to make the different groups more recognisable as one organisation, which as far as I can see they have completely failed on.

I was around when they did the last release for guides and by god it’s an upgrade 🤣 that guide dress WOULD NOT sell 🤣

@girlguider this is it. I think scouting despite the different colours actually look much smarter in their uniform and always have done on parade as its a narrow choice in each section. I did find I was more comfortable in adult Girlguiding uniform than I am now in adult scouting uniform because you could mix and match more.

Not as keen on the pink on the rainbows but do like the rest. I remember the guide hoodies coming in in the 90s. It was quite a relief after the shirt, pencil skirt and hat. So restrictive!
I wish scouts would get rid of the shirts. They are so stiff to sew badges on and not practical on a weekly basis but do look smart for events like remembrance day parade

I'm an ex Girlguiding leader now Squirrel Scout leader so I haven't seen all the uniform yet. However I love the rainbows new uniform. I think it's fun and quite out there. They are EYFS age and it'll stand up for big adventures for little people. The Brownies one is growing on me but it really does remind me of season just gone Hull FC kit with the tiger stripes on the sleeves. Not keen on the patchwork type gillet so will probably keep my own DD7 in the current hoody until she ages out. The Guide one looks modern and with the times. When I was a guide leader there was always quite a consensus that the collars were a PITA. My only concern that I can see with the uniform is where you pin a promise badge without creating holes in the tops. Not all units will want to use a sash and the collars were handy on Rainbow and Guiding uniform for placing them.

Hello fellow 90’s child!

I was born in 87 and this way my uniform

I love it. The young leader / ranger who lives in my house is disappointed. The young leader uniform is too bright.
I love the brownies snd rainbows. I’m a little worried about how to look smart on parade with all the choices, but it’s overall
an improvement imo

And clean handkerchief!

DD12 will be delighted - she didn't mind the Rainbows or Brownies uniform, but she hates the Guides one! She always says it makes them look like clowns. The new one is much more to her taste. (She's jealous of DS because his Cubs uniform is a plain blue t-shirt and green jumper, but he's jealous because DD doesn't have to wear a scarf!)

I've said she can have the new t-shirt as her current one will probably be a bit small by September, but she'll have to put up with the jacket as it's still big on her...

I LOVED my smart brownies dress! I felt so special wearing it!

Me too!
As a very tall child mine was boarder line obscene by the time I moved up to Guides!

I had this beauty of the brown dress, belt, pouch, brown hat and yellow cross over tie as a brownie!

I saw this on the news and as an ex Girl Guide, I was interested to see the old uniform that I wore, late 60s/early 70s. Looking back, it was so impractical but very smart. The air stewardess-type hat had to be held on with grips. I used to clean my gilt badge with Brasso every week.

Don't forget the piece of string and safety pin!

My daughter likes the new stripey brownies top. I like the fact that it's similar enough to the old stuff that she can keep wearing the hoodie I've stitched 11,000 badges onto. Well, that I half arsedly stitched only to have MIL unpick and mumble under her breath about my inadequacies as she meticulously stitches them back on......😂

Agreed!

I’m glad you explained it, because I was really confused by the 1990 references. I like the new uniform. I am glad I was a guide prior to the blue and red uniform.