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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is uniform in Girlguides compulsory?

129 replies

GirlGuidesUniform · 21/03/2023 17:18

8yo DD.

I work on Brownies night, so I get her from after school club (who feed her for me), then she takes off school cardigan and wears the Brownies hoodie on top of her uniform for the meeting - she then has a clean school uniform the next day.

She does have a tshirt she wears for weekend events and camps and also a cap she uses for school. Also if a message comes out for full uniform, for example at Christmas when they sang in town or in summer when they did a walk around town I always try and work around it (e.g. the walk around town I asked if she could wear her school trousers and asked the TA running ASC very very nicely if DD could change into her tshirt and hoodie before I picked her up but they can’t do this all the time as the club is open until 6pm and is packed until then so they can’t be changing 50+ kids clothes all the time)

Brown Owl is now saying DD needs to be in proper uniform from after Easter. I asked what this meant and she said brownies tshirt (either long or short sleeve), brownies hoodie or gilet and either brownies trousers or brownies shorts.

I am happy to buy shorts and/or trousers for events but if she has to wear full uniform every week she’ll have to give up, which seems unfair as she absolutely loves Brownies. This is the only group that I can get her to, as it starts at 6pm, I finish work at 5pm and then have 30 minutes commute on public transport, then a walk to the school. If we went home first to change we’d be late for Brownies which I’ve done a few times when unavoidable but DD hates being late.

I’m a single parent so no other help. I drive but don't currently have a car as due to COL I just can't afford it.

This is the only out of school activity DD does due to me working so much so seems a shame to make her give it up.

Is the uniform compulsory? I always thought that the way we did it was fine, but happy to be told wrong

OP posts:
Onthenosecco · 21/03/2023 17:51

minipie · 21/03/2023 17:47

OntheNosecco I’ve found the uniform, definitely the hoodie, shrinks if tumble dried 🤦‍♀️ so could you try that - or ask your Brown Owl if they have any shrunken second hand stuff?

I’ve just checked and they now do from age 3-4! They definitely didn’t before - the rainbows uniform didn’t even go that small when she was in the rainbows! Maybe they had supply issues because of covid (she started in 2021)

Clarinet1 · 21/03/2023 17:51

Guide leader here. In my unit most have the official hoodie and a T shirt (either long or short-sleeved) and whatever they like on the lower half (jeans, leggings, shorts). We try to
encourage uniform for trips etc but we wouldn’t turn anyone away without. However, I imagine it’s somewhat up to the individual unit. In your situation I agree with those who suggest you
either change DD when you pick her up or on arrival at Brownies.

DappledThings · 21/03/2023 17:54

Onthenosecco · 21/03/2023 17:49

The old one was horrid looking. Granted, the colours for brownies are definitely bottom tier colour choices, but I’d much rather my daughter wore something practical to allow her to do the activities comfortably than something designed to look “smart”

Show quote history

I thought it was both smart and practical myself. Never had any trouble running around in it and building campfires and all that.

I'm sure it is a minority view but I'll never be able to see the new uniform as looking as good as the old one (which I can't not think of as the proper one)

Clarinet1 · 21/03/2023 17:56

Incidentally, for those who aren’t keen on the current uniform I believe there are some plans for a redesign in, I think 2026!

TitoMojito · 21/03/2023 17:59

When I was a Brownie in the 2000s, we had to wear full uniform. I can't imagine the rules have changed.

Dinoboymama · 21/03/2023 17:59

Not all the girls in DDS unit have the trousers or hoodies. All have the t-shirts.

Nothing is ever said about it.

CremeEggsForBreakfast · 21/03/2023 18:01

GirlGuidesUniform · 21/03/2023 17:25

Thanks all there is SN but it doesn't prevent DD wearing the uniform, it's just a time issue.

There isn't toilets in the hut as such but there is a leisure centre next door with toilets so will try and time it to go there and change instead.

School won't do it, she has to be in uniform until the end of ASC due to them knowing whose who (they share the club with another school whose uniform is different - think like Infants and Juniors but wraparound is on one for both)

I don't fully believe that there is no toilet provision. What do the leaders do when a child needs the toilet? Or even just when they've done a messy/crafty activity and need to wash hands.

Speak to Brown Owl, explain your circumstances, and ask if she can change when she arrives and where.

2bazookas · 21/03/2023 18:07

Surely there's a toilet at Brownies venue, where she could very quickly get changed into uniform? only takes minutes with your help

TyneTeas · 21/03/2023 18:10

Can she put her Brownie top on in the toilets towards the end of ASC and then her school uniform back on over it so she just has to take school uniform top back off at the start of Brownies iyswim?

OwlOfBrown · 21/03/2023 18:13

EmmaDilemma5 · 21/03/2023 17:40

Whether you're a uniformed group or not. The issue is that a little girl already doesn't get as much extracurricular activities as many others her age. Her mum works really hard to keep the bills paid and her daughter happy.

She doesn't have time to do a uniform swap - so why anyone would enforce this is beyond me. There should be a policy that allows for individual cases. I'm not saying all leaders have the same view, but there's clearly a problem if the OP is being made to feel guilty for not being able to change her daughter's trousers from one pair into another.

It misses the whole point of socialising - the uniform makes zero difference. The workers showing compassion and understanding is much more impactful for young people.

Show quote history

For the third time on this thread, I am saying it isn't a big deal. I can't tell you why this leader thinks it's a problem. Most leaders wouldn't/don't, myself included.

Therefore sweeping generalisations about Brownies not being inclusive are unhelpful. There may be an issue with this poster's unit adhering to guidelines too strictly but that isn't the case generally.

Most of us are just doing our best to run units providing fantastic opportunities for the girls.

And not as workers, I might add. Although it's certainly a lot of work to do every week on a voluntary basis!

TrashyPanda · 21/03/2023 18:13

DappledThings · 21/03/2023 17:44

when I was a Brownie we had to wear full uniform and have the correct items in our pockets, including a clean handkerchief in an envelope and a 10p for the telephone

Yep. The tunic and little velcro fastened necktie thing. But the required items were in a purse that looped onto the belt, not in pockets. I remember having to have a needle and thread in there too.

I know there has to be some modernisation and wotnot but I do think the new leggings and hoodie stuff looks shit compared to the proper old uniform. Would love DD to have been in the old one.

my Days as a Brownie predated Velcro on ties! It was a wee button.

and no purses on belts back then - as said, you kept your workbook, 10p and clean hanky in the pockets. Plus a pencil, I think. Actually, it might have been 2p when I started - it was so you could use a phone box.

the tunic was perfectly practical and not at all uncomfortable. And looked much nicer than the current uniform.

Houselamp · 21/03/2023 18:17

Onthenosecco · 21/03/2023 17:26

Brown owls / can you maybe give me some advice too? I’ve got a very small 7yo who is in brownies. I can’t get uniform small enough for her! We got her a t shirt which she can kind of pull off but the hoodies and trousers are about 3 sizes too big. She wears size 4-5 usually.

Op, she can surely change herself at after school, or once she gets to brownies?

Our smallest girls tend to wear the top and then some generic brown leggings. A couple just wear a too big hoodie or dont wear one at all. And we had one girl who had a generic yellow hoodie and that fine. The uniform sizing is not ideal- we always have rainbows with bunchy sewn up waists in their trousers because theyre just too big for the smallest ones

Bernadinetta · 21/03/2023 18:18

I used to collect DD from After School Club and go straight to Brownies, she got changed in the toilets when we got there.

Houselamp · 21/03/2023 18:22

Oh and I think the skort comes up fairly small, and doesnt matter if its a bit long, they usually wear it with tights in the winter

Essexgirlupnorth · 21/03/2023 18:22

My daughter generally wears her brownie top with school trousers and her leader has never said anything. They have a quite a few evenings where the wear own clothes or dress up so think her leaders are quite laid back.
Have you explain to the leader you come straight from after school club and they won't let her change.

EmmaDilemma5 · 21/03/2023 18:28

OwlOfBrown · 21/03/2023 18:13

For the third time on this thread, I am saying it isn't a big deal. I can't tell you why this leader thinks it's a problem. Most leaders wouldn't/don't, myself included.

Therefore sweeping generalisations about Brownies not being inclusive are unhelpful. There may be an issue with this poster's unit adhering to guidelines too strictly but that isn't the case generally.

Most of us are just doing our best to run units providing fantastic opportunities for the girls.

And not as workers, I might add. Although it's certainly a lot of work to do every week on a voluntary basis!

Show quote history

No one said they're all strict on uniform. But if you practice under an organisation, then you represent it.

Yes, yes, we all know it's run by volunteers, but again, that's completely irrelevant here.

You're being defensive. I was responding to the OPs issue. The fact you volunteer for the organisation doesn't give you authority to claim your response is the only correct one. In fact, it's not relevant at all to OPs post.

The organisation, through the leaders it allows to run it, isn't being inclusive. There should be policies allowing for flexibility for uniforms. And unified approaches to issues such as these. It's a fault with OPs leader, but clearly also an opportunity for the organisation as a whole to improve inclusivity, especially in today's climate where more young people than ever are living in poverty or are young carers etc.

Pottedpalm · 21/03/2023 18:30

Could she wear the leggings under her school trousers? Maybe the t shirt as a best in the cooler months? Then just whip top layer off and pop the hoodie on.
otherwise she can change in the toilet.. there must br one available.

gogohmm · 21/03/2023 18:31

She can slip on her uniform when she arrives, I doubt she'll be only one coming straight from school

Pottedpalm · 21/03/2023 18:31
  • vest
OoooohMatron · 21/03/2023 18:32

I used to be a Brownies leader and honestly I didn't care about uniform but I imagine some units are stricter. But agree with PPs about her changing whist there, I'm sure they would accommodate.

Oysterbabe · 21/03/2023 18:34

This is such a non issue. Take the uniform with you and change there. We have to do a similar quick change into football kit after gymnastics.

mumoffourminimes · 21/03/2023 18:36

She can change in the loo when she gets there. This is a non issue.

It's a uniformed organisation

5foot5 · 21/03/2023 18:48

TrashyPanda · 21/03/2023 18:13

my Days as a Brownie predated Velcro on ties! It was a wee button.

and no purses on belts back then - as said, you kept your workbook, 10p and clean hanky in the pockets. Plus a pencil, I think. Actually, it might have been 2p when I started - it was so you could use a phone box.

the tunic was perfectly practical and not at all uncomfortable. And looked much nicer than the current uniform.

Show quote history

Sounds like you and I are a similar binrafr.
Did you have to wear a brown beret too? I could never get the hang of the beret.

I remember pocket inspections though. And we were always meant to see our own badges on

DappledThings · 21/03/2023 18:51

5foot5 · 21/03/2023 18:48

Sounds like you and I are a similar binrafr.
Did you have to wear a brown beret too? I could never get the hang of the beret.

I remember pocket inspections though. And we were always meant to see our own badges on

Show quote history

Maybe it was a button. No beret for me, just a bobble hat. So when does that date us all to? I would have been a Brownie about 1986 - 1990 I think

Houselamp · 21/03/2023 18:52

@EmEmmaDilemma5
Not specific to OPs situation but in all the units I have helped in there is free uniform if parents cant afford it. Most girls will donate it back to the unit when they grow out if it and they have no younger sisters. All of it- if its in decent condition, gets washed and ironed and kept for any girls who need it. It's not a big deal and is always dealt with sensitively.

When children can't wear the uniform we make accommodations, like we have a few who have sensory needs and cant tolerate the sash so they put their badges somewhere else, we had a girl with dwarfism who wore her own clothes in the right colours and we gave her mum iron on patches so her clothes could be as 'uniform' as the other girls.

In an organisation with a very obvious uniform that is part of belonging to the group, it is often kinder to find a way to support everyone to wear the uniform rather than leaving someone who already might feel different to stick out even more.