Figure 1.--Most English Cubs in the 1980s still wore the traditional uniform. These Cubs are working on a cleanup project. Notice the Scouts helping the Cubs.

The uniform designated for Cubs in 1916 was worn by English boys for decades virtually unchanged. It was subsequently adopted by Cubs all over the world although it was gradually modified and changed. In England, however, it continued virtually unchanged. The traditional English Cub uniform consisted of a traditiona peaked school cap, neckerchief, green jersey (sweater), grey short pants, and grey kneecocks. Foot wear was up to the individual Cub, but until the 1970s was usually leather shoes or sandals.

Cap

A green peaked cap with yellow piping was chosen for the Cubs, with cloth Wolf's head badge in front. The style was similar to the school caps commonly wore by English schoolboys. The caps, always green , were flatter then, with narrow yellow cordage. This same cap was adopted by Cubs all over the world. It was adopted by American Cubs, but in different colors. The Cub cap continued virtually unchanged for most of the 20th century. The only important change was that the badge of the front of the cap was changed to the international Scout symbol, the Fleur-d-lis. The cap was commonly worn by English Cubs through the 1970s, but began to be less commonly used in the 1980s.

Jersey

English Cubs have worn a variety of jersies or sweaters. There has never been a Cub shirt. Rather these jersies are worn over a non uniform short. We have note Cubs wearing dark blue, khaki, green or grey jerseys, but the standard is a green jersey. The Cubs wear the sleeves down or rolled up at the discretion of the Cubmaster, but mostly they are worn down. Many early Cubs wore a navy blue jersey (sweater) made of heavy wool. Merit badges and unit badges are sewn on the jersies. Grey jerseys were also worn, but green became more popular over the years. I'm not sure why green emerged as the Cub color. Perhaps because it shows the dirt less. It also matched the cap. Perhap it was more in keeping with the green of the jungle and of course Cubbing was belt around Kipling's jungle lore. Some Cubs began wearing sweatshirts in the 1980s. These green sweatshirts are now the standard. Green sweaters are no longer worn.

Belt

Belts were initially worn outside the jersey. I'm not sure what the idea behind this curious fashion was. Wehavnoticed boys on the continent wearing theoir belts over sweatrs through the 1930s as well. This fashion died out in the 1930s and the jersey ws pulled over the belt.

Scarves

The jersies were worn with colorful secarves or neckerchiefs. I have very limited information on the colors and patters used, especially by early Cubs. Intially scarves of the Group colour were worn with a woggle other than Gilwell pattern. Some individual units selected scarves to identify themselved. Some Packs tied their scarves with a knot. We note in the 1970s a common green and yellow pattern which is still worn in the 2000s. we are not ure when this pattern first appeard. Some Cubs wear a group scrve instead of the standard Cub scarve.

Pants

English Cubs from the beginning wore short trousers. Early Cubs wore knee-length dark blue, khaki or grey shorts, which in England were called short trousers or knickers. Virtually all Cubs by the 1960s were wearing grey school shorts. There were official Cub shorts, but most boys that attended schools with required uniforms wore their school shorts. Many mums for boys who did not attend schools with unifirms also bought school shorts as they were less expensive than the official Cub shorts. Thus there was considerable difference in the shorts the Cubs wore. They were normally gray, but there were different shades and styles of the shorts. When the Scouts changed to long trousers, shorts were retained as the Cub uniform. The major difference in the shjorts over time was the length of the shorts. Cubs in the 1970s and 80s were often quite short as was the style at the time. This continued through the 1970s, but some boys began wearing long pants in the 1980s Shorts were still worn in the 1990s, but longs were very common. Some pcks required shorts, but others left the chioce of trousers optional. The shorts worn in the 2000s were mostly knee-length shorts, quite often but not always baggy.

Kneesocks

Any plain colour kneesocks were allowed, but most boys wore grey kneesocks. Some boys wore ankle socks, such a the boys here (figure 1). The official uniforn, however, was kneesocks. They were worn turned down below the knee, with green tabbed garter showing on the outside (to keep the socks up). The flashed on the garters were green. One element of the uniform that does not appear to be consistent was the kneesocks. Many boys in the early Cub groups did wearing plain grey kneesocks. Many were also wearing dark kneesocks or grey kneesocks with patterned cuffs. Note: different coloured garter tabs were worn by older scouts and leaders, clearly an influence from Baden-Powell's background. A changed occurred in the 1970s. It was not an official change, bit many boys began wearing the less expensive kneesocks that did not have turn over tops.

Footwear

Rigid leather footwear, often boots or shoe-like boots, completed the first uniform. Shoes were allowed. Either brown or black were permisable. Boys began wearing sandals, especially in the 1920s. We mnote a lot of Cubs wearing sandals to Cubs, the same school sandals commonly worn to school. The styles of these sandals chngd over tim, but were usually closed-toe sandals. In general school and Cub footwear was often the same. We also notice boys wearing plimsols for outdoor activities. Rhese were not worn when boys dressed up for formal events, although here there were variatioins among Cub packs over attention to the uniform. Most Cubs throuugh the 1960s wore either shoes or sandals, boots were not common. Cubs in the 1970s began wearing running shoes. This reflected chaning convenion at school and many primnary schools were also developing more flexible attitudes toward footwer. For outdoors activities in inclemate weather, some boys wore wellies.

Patches and Badges

A shoulder patch consisting of a small, triangular piece of cloth of six colors, sewn firmly at the top of the left sleeve, just below shoulder, point upwards. A shoulder badge indicating Group, worn on right shoulder or on both, according to the custom of the Group. There were also county or other emblems as authorised. Cubs could qualify for badges on being successfully assessed for competence in numerous disciplines such as cooking or orienteering. The badges were sewn onto the sleeves of the shirt or sweater rather than on the main torso body of the garment. I am not sure why. American Cubs wore their merit badges under the pockets of their shirts.

Great-coats, Haversacks, or Mackintoshes

Optional.

Other

Nothing but the above may be worn visibly.