American girl scouts get on-trend uniform update
FOR the first time in 20 years the Girl Scouts of the USA have redesigned their iconic uniforms, including a pocket to fit an iPhone, to better match the times in an attempt to stop older girls from quitting.
Now members can wear hoodies, drawstring tracksuit bottoms, leggings, cargo pants and a denim jacket.
The Girl Scouts partnered with the Fashion Institute of Technology, which had students work to design an update where function, fashion and customisation all meet in the middle.
Key components include a new vest, sash and 18 pieces suitable for girls in grades six to 12 – aged around six to 18.
Wendy Lou, the deputy chief revenue officer of the Girl Scouts of the USA, said making space for an iPhone was key. “In all our fittings that was the number one thing,” she said “Can you fit the iPhone in there? Yes? Let’s go.”
The organisation hopes the new styles will help encourage older girls – those in middle school and high school – to stick with being a scout, and will make life easier for existing scouts so they are comfortable outside sessions.
Since 1950, Girl Scouts have collaborated with designers such as Halston, Bill Blass and most recently Diane von Furstenberg at the beginning of this year. However, this is the first time in the last two decades that traditional uniforms have been re-imagined by student designers.
Nidhi Bhasin, who is a Girl Scout alum from New Jersey, was selected by the Fashion Institute to design the new uniform, along with Jenny Feng and Melissa Posner.
“Today’s Girl Scouts are the next generation of leaders, so we needed to make sure they dress the part so they can continue to take on the world.” said Miss Bhasin