Collectible Girl Scout Uniforms

Collectible Girl Scout Uniforms

Juliette Gordon Low started the Girl Guides in Savannah, Georgia, in 1912 before changing its name to the Girl Scouts the next year. While the first troop consisting of 12 members wore uniforms inspired by England's Girl Guides, Low was instrumental in creating the first Girl Scout of America uniform that was released in 1914. You can find collectible Girl Scout uniforms available from periods throughout the Girl Scout's history.

When Low led her first troop, girls wore a blue skirt, a white blouse, and a light-blue neckerchief. Starting in 1914, however, girls involved in scouting at all levels wore a long-sleeve gray-green uniform ending at the knee. The official Girl Scout uniform had a pointed collar with GS embroidered on the tip of the right collar. The official dress had an attached fabric belt of the same color. While the organization referred to this color as dark green, they also allowed dresses in various colors with light blue, black, yellow, and red. The girl wore her official Girl Scout pin on her left breast with her attendance stars placed below it. Various badges that the girl earned were sewn onto the dress with the majority being placed on the left sleeve.

The first official Brownie insignia was offered to Girl Scouts in the 1927 biannual catalog. While this badge was never intended to be worn on the official uniform, it was made with green, white, and red-dyed embroidery thread. Shortly after its introduction, only girls receiving their gold bar for earning a certain number of badges and living an exemplary lifestyle could own this badge with others being sold a yellow felt badge with yellow embroidery. Soon, official badges for other levels including Daisies, Cadettes, and adult leaders were introduced, which you can find and collect.

Many collectible Girl Scout badges come from the organization's very first days. In fact, in some cases, they predate the original uniform. They include:

• Ambulance - Issued from 1913 to 1916, this circular badge shows a red cross surrounded by white-and-red circles.
• Artist - Issued from 1913 to 1918, this blue-and-white circular badge shows a blue pen in the middle surrounded by a single line.
• Attendance - Issued only in 1913, this blue-and-white badge shows a blue leaf-like shape in the middle. It was reissued in 1916 for one year as the cook badge.
• Child nurse - This badge issued from 1913 to 1918 shows a gray cross surrounded by gray-and-white circles.
• Rifle shot - This gray-and-white badge issued only in 1913 shows two gray pistols in the middle.