Historical Youth Uniform Garments: Shirts


Figure 1.--This American Boy Scout wears his kerchief over the collar. Some youth uniform shirts were made without collars to avoid this problem. Note the plain woggle.

Many of the shirts worn with most groups had military-styled features. The original Scout shirts were virtual copies of army uniforms. Features such as epelettes, flap and button pockets, and other elements are clear military styles. Boys' uniform shirts were initially military colors like khaki or olive green. Eventually they appeared in other colors such as tan and blue as well as many others. "T"-shirts after World War II (1939-45) became very popular with boys. As a result, groups eventually adopted "activity" shirts that boys could wear on warm days for strenous outdoor activities and still be in uniform.

Military Styles

Many of the shirts worn with most groups had military-styled features. The original Scout shirts were virtual copies of army uniforms. Features such as epelettes, flap and button pockets, and other elements are clear military styles.

Color

Boys' uniform shirts were initially military colors like khaki or olive green. Eventually they appeared in other colors such as tan and blue as well as many others.

Sleeves

The original youth uniforms had long sleeves. Eventually short sleeve shirts appeared for summer wear. I'm not sure when the short-sleeved shirts first appeared, probably the 1930s.

Collars

Some youth uniform shirts, especially Scout shirts, were made without collars to make it easier to wear kerchiefs. With collars boys had to decide to wear their kerchiefs ober or under the collar.

Activity Shirts

"T"-shirts after World War II (1939-45) became very popular with boys. As a result, groups eventually adopted "activity" shirts that boys could wear on warm days for strenous outdoor activities and still be in uniform. These shirts were often colored shirts, in a variety of colors. The early ones were plain. These shirts often now commonly have large logos identifying the group. Some boys wear their kerchiefs with their activity shirts, but it is more common not to.






Christopher Wagner






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Created: December 18, 2000
Last updated: December 18, 2000