Figure 1.--The English style peaked school cap was adopted as the original Cub cap. It was green with yellow piping. The cap was subsequently adopted by most other countries for their Cubs. Many countries kept the original green color like this Australian Cub. American Cub wore the same style, but blue with yellow piping.

The English as the country to initiate Cub Scouting also were very influential in selecting the garments worn by Cubs. The English styled school peaked cap was adopted for Cubs all over the world. Only in the 1980s did it begin to disappear--although some Cubs still wear it. Boy and Cub Scout uniforms around the world have generally utilized the same garments, but often in different colors. There have been some differences in the garments worn, especially in the early years of Scouting. These differences have generally narrowed in recent years. Some national associations have adopted the same uniforms for both Cubs and Boy Scouts.

Caps

The English styled school peaked cap was adopted for Cubs all over the world. Only in the 1980s did it begin to disappear--although some Cubs still wear it. It was green with yellow piping. The cap was subsequently adopted by most other countries for their Cubs. Many countries kept the original green color. American Cub wore the same style, but blue with yellow piping.

Kerchiefs

Some Cubs had a special kerchief. American Cubs, for example, wore a traditional yellow kerchief. In recent years, Scout groups have adopted a common kerchief worn by all levels from Tiger Cubs through Explorers.

Sweaters

English Cubs did not wear a uniform shirt, but rather a green sweater. Many countries copied this approach.

Sweatshirts

English Cubs continued to wear sweaters. Only in recent years have they switched to sweatshirts. This was largely a question of economy.

Shirts

The American Scout association decided to adopt a shirt in the same color as the pants--blue with yellow trim. This approach has now been adopted by most Cubs around the world.

Pants

The original English Cubs wore short pants. At the time almost all Scouts around the world wore shorts. When Cubing began in America the Cubs wore knickers--as most Amrican Scouts did. When Enhlis Scouts switched to long pants in 1969, the Cubs continued to wear shorts. This was the general pattern in most countries, except America where for some reason Cubs mostly wore long pants even when Boy Scouts began to commonly wear shorts. By the 1990s many Cubs even in England were wearing long pants.

Kilts

At this time HBU's information about kilts is incomplete. The kilt is generally asociated with Scottish Scouts who commonly wear them, especially for dress occassions. Scottish Cubs have also worn kilts, but not nearly as commonly as the older Scouts. In recent years it is rare to see Cubs wearing kilts. I am not sure why there is such a difference between the Cubs and Scouts. Occasionally Irish Scouts also wear saffron kilts. Only Irish Scouts wear kilts, never the Cubs or younger Beaver sections.

Socks

Cubs have mostly worn kneesocks. Often Cub kneesocks had colored bands at the top. English boys wore plain grey kneesocks, but often with garters and green flashes. As kneesocks became less common for boys, they also declined as part of the Cub uniform. The Cubs wearing long pants have no need for them. Many Cubs wearing shorts by the 1990s would wear non-regulation ankle socks.

Flashes

Many Cubs around the world had special kneesocks with colored bands at he top on the turn-over-top socks. British cubs wore plain grey kneesocks. Many wore less expensive kneesocks with out the turn over tops. To keep up their socs, they would wear garters and decorative green fashes. Some other Cubs wore these flashed. Yellow flashes were to be worn by American Cubs. However as few American Cubs wore tyhe regulation short pants and blue kneesocks, the yellow flashes were rarely seen.