Figure 1.--These Dutch Scouts show the uniform that they were wearing in 1929. Note the Smokey Bear Hats and walking sticks.

Dutch Scout uniforms were initilly sinilar to British uniforms. Short pants were usually worn through the mid-1960s. Beginning in the late 1960s, Scout units tended to move away from uniforms. Few Dutch Scout units, like other Europeans Scouts, now take uniform seriously. Most now wear jeans with their Scout shirts. A few units, however, have retained the old traditions. One such unit pertformed in a British Scout band competition. The uniform is one way in which the bands were evaluated. The British give considerable attention to uniform. And the Dutch band was very carefully uniformed, giving a very good appearance for the competition. A Dutch reader reports that his Cub and scout uniform in the 1960s was very similar to the British uniform. The major difference was that Dutch Scouts wore brown corduroy shorts.

Traditional Uniform

Dutch Scout uniforms were initilly sinilar to British uniforms. Short pants were usually worn through the mid-1960s.

Associations

We are unsure at this time to what extent Scout uniforms varied among the different out associations.

Levels

We have some information on SCout uniforms, but not yet on the other levels of scouting.
Cubs: No information available yet.
Scouts: The Scout hat had a lace around it, it had a stiff brim, four dents, and a chin-strap. Color was light brown. The scarfe of neckerchief was in the colors of the troop and worn over the shirt collar. The shirt was lways was a khaki shirt with a little name ribbon on the right shoulder. The patrol epaulet was worn on the left shoulder. The shirt had two breast pockets. The trousers were brown corduroy shorts (of good quality). The sea scouts wore blue cord shorts. Beige knee stockings were won with with a green fringe just visible under the turn-over-top sock cuff. The footwear was brown leather walking shoes.

Sea Scouts

The Sea Scouts of course had a different uniform, presumably based on Dutch naval uniforms. The caps were white flat toped naval caps. I'm not sure what color sarfe they wre or if it varied by unit. The had dark blue shorts and short pants. The pants were corduroy like the regular Scouts only in blue. Their kneesocks were also dark blue. For sailing they wore tennis shoes. For dress occasions and parades, leather shoes.

Modern Trends

Declining interest

Beginning in the late 1960s, Scout units tended to move away from uniforms. Few Dutch Scout units, like other Europeans Scouts, now take uniform seriously. Most now wear jeans with their Scout shirts.

Traditional groups

A few units, however, have retained the old traditions. One such unit pertformed in a British Scout band competition during the 1980s. HBC is not sure if that was the group unifr or one just for band competitions. The uniform is one way in which the bands were evaluated. The British give considerable attention to uniform. And the Dutch band was very carefully uniformed, giving a very good appearance for the competition.

Levels

A Dutch reader reports that his Cub and scout uniform in the 1960s was very similar to the British uniform. The major difference was that Dutch Scouts wore brown corduroy shorts.