Young Pioneers: Garments


Figure 1.--The one common garment item woen by Pioneers around the world was the red scarf. Dress wj\hite or blue shirts were also very common.

Pioneer uniforms like Scout uniforms varied from country to country. Pioneer uniforms appear to have been much simplier than Scout uniforms with far fewer badges being worn. The one constant from country to country is of course the scarves. All Pioneer units had red scarves, although younger boys might wear blue scarves. Boys in Asian countries often wear the scarf with their own clothes--perhaps because they can't aford a uniform. Caps were much less common. Shirts were usually plain white or blue dress shirts--although other colors were also worn. Boys wore both short and long pants. Kneesocks were not as common as in Scouting and in many cases there was no standard type of socks. Sandals were not common, but were sometimes worn. The girls generally wear the same unform with a skirt rather than pants.

Countries

Pioneer uniforms like Scout uniforms varied from country to country. Generally the uniforms were much simplier than Scout uniforms. The formal uniform was also not worn as commonly. While differences from country to country, the same basic garments were worn. The major difference appears to have been the colors. There are are also differences over time which also varied from country to country.

Specific Garments

Pioneer uniforms appear to have been much simplier than Scout uniforms.

Caps

Caps were much less common than in Scouting. We have noted caps in some photographs, so we know that they existed. They do not appear to have been worn all the time. Many images show the Pioneers outside without their caps.

Scarves/Kerchiefs

The one constant in Young Pioneer groups from country to country is of course the scarves. A Russian reader writes, "From Vladivostok to Vilnius and from Kazan to Kyiv, all Pioneers sported the same trademark red neckerchief and neatly pressed white shirt. On holidays they marched side-by-side in patriotic parades, and on weekends they went off on excursions." The same red scarve was worn by Pioneers in other countries as well. All Pioneer units had red scarves, although younger boys might wear blue scarves in some countries. We noted this in Cuba. We also note younger children not wearing any scarves or uniform to school. We noted this in Czechoslovakia. Boys in Asian countries often wear the scarf with their own clothes--perhaps because they can't aford a uniform.

Shirts

Shirts were usually plain white or light blue dress shirts--although other colors were also worn. The style appears to have always been a light colored shirt with dark colored pants. The precise color combination varied from country to country. T

Pants

Boys wore both short and long pants. I have not noted Young Pioneers wearing knickers. The pants in the Soviet Union and Europe were mostly blue. Cuban Pioneers had maroon colored pants.

Skirts

The girls generally wear the same unform with a skirt rather than pants. The skirts were the same color as the boys' pants.

Hosiery

Young Pioneers mostly wore ankle socks and kneesocks. Kneesocks were not as common as in Scouting and in many cases there does not appear to have beemn a standard type of socks. We do not have official Pioneer regulations. Available image suggest, however, that a uniform style was not generally enforced. There was probably more consistency for formal events. There are also differences notable over time and among countries. While ankle and kneesocks appear to have been the most common hosiery worn by Yong Pioneers, the members also wore long stockingds and tights.

Footwear

Sandals were not common, but were sometimes worn.

Badges

Young Pioneers appear to have worn far fewer badges than is common in Scouting.







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Created: November 15, 1998
Last updated: 12:29 AM 6/24/2004