New uniforms for the UK's half a million Scouts were revealed today (22/2/2001) on Founder's day, the 144th anniversary of Baden-Powell's birth. These will be introduced gradually over the next two years to become fully effective from January 2003. This is the first major change in almost 34 years.
Out goes the familiar mushroom brown and in comes turquoise, teal green, navy blue, beige and stone. Also in are a range of options from a very simple, low-cost sweatshirt with the traditional Scout scarf to multi-pocketed activity trousers, formal long sleeved shirts, fleeces and 'smart' trousers. For female members there is the option to wear a smart navy blue skirt.
Over 46,000 Members of the largest mixed youth organisation in the UK expressed their views during the largest and longest consultation process Scouting has conducted. Over 60% of the replies were from young people who wanted to make their opinions known. Generally speaking, there was wide acceptance of activity style uniform but a strong body of opinion from those who also wished to retain a smarter option for formal occasions. The most inspired debate was on the question of colour.
In order to launch the consultation, The Scout Association commissioned young Fashion Designer of the Year 1999, Meg Andrew to prepare initial sketches and to propose colour schemes likely to appeal to young people. These suggestions formed the basis of the consultation process and initiated the debate.
