Figure 1.--The English Cubs are all smartly kitted out in the full uniform. I'm not sure when the photograph was taken, but it looks kike the mid-1990s. Note that the Cubs are not wearing caps and therecis a great variation in the length of the short trousers.

Baden Powell chose a theme based on Kiplings Jungle Book, it proved wildly popular with the boys--even if it is now often made fun of in our more cynical age. The English Cub uniform spread around the world. Some countries used it virtually unchanged. Others like America changed it significantly. One comstant in most countries was the Cub cap, just as Scouts in most countries used the original Scout hat for decades. The uniform adopted for English Cubs in 1916 was worn by English boys for decades virtually unchanged. It was adopted by Cubs all over the world although it was gradually modified and changed. In England, however, it has continued virtually unchanged. The only major change has been in the pants and kneesocks the boys have worn. The Wolf Cubs began operating in 1916. 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.

Importance of Cub Uniform

Baden Powell chose a theme based on Kiplings Jungle Book, it proved wildly popular with the boys--even if it is now often made fun of in our more cynical age. The English Cub uniform spread around the world. Some countries used it virtually unchanged. Others like America changed it significantly. One comstant in most countries was the Cub cap, just as Scouts in most countries used the original Scout hat for decades. The uniform adopted for English Cubs in 1916 was worn by English boys for decades virtually unchanged. It was adopted by Cubs all over the world although it was gradually modified and changed. In England, however, it has continued virtually unchanged. The only major change has been in the pants and kneesocks the boys have worn. The traditional English Cub uniform consisted of the traditional peaked cap. jersey, neckerchief, grey shorts, and kneesovcs. Footwear was optional, bit was normally leather shoes or sandals.

Chronology

The English Cub uniform has changed remarkably over time. Few Scout uniforms have been worn for such a long period with very little change. Virtually the same uniform adopted in 1916 was was still being worn by Cubs at the end of the century. There were, however, some chasnges over time. The Cub uniform continued unchanged for decades. The only major change was that in the 1970s, English boys started wearing shorter cut shorts. Early images of Cub groups show quite a range of clothing. The emphasis seems to have been on practicality and value rather than perfect uniformity of dress. Most of the clothes would have been worn to school by the boys anyway, with few additional special purchases needed. Some boys wear their chool uniforms complete with Eton collars, bow ties, and school caps. Other arevin full Cub uniforms. Virtually all boys wear short pants and kneesocks no matter what other parts of the uniform they are wearing. The only exception to this are that a few boys are occasionally seen in knickers. This was probably part of a boy's school uniform. Knickers, however, were never part of the Cub uniform in England. (Knickers were worn by American Cubs.)

Uniform Garments

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.

Attention to Uniform

Almost all early Cub groups around the world gave great attention to the unifgorm in the early years. This contibued through the 1960s. We note in the 1970s that there was much less attention to the uniform in many countries. English Cuba and Scouts, however, continued to stress the correct wearing of the proper uniform. There were differences among Cub packs. Some gave more attention to the uniform than others. Relatively speaking, however, the British Scouts and Cubs continued stressing the uniform more than in oother countries, especially other European countries. You rately saw English Cubs, for example, wearing jeans as was common in Europe.

Activity Uniform

England is not known for its hot weather. Thus the green wool jumper (sweater) usually worn by English Cubs usually felt good. There is, however, a Summer in ngland and it can get warm. On those days the wool cub sweaterwas not that comfortable. Even so, most photographs of Cubs show them wearing their sweaters, even during the Summer. e notethat in the 1970s we began to see Cubs in an activity uniform in which the jumper was replaced with a plain dark-colored "T"-shirt. e note cvral packs wearing this uniform on Summer outings.