Girlguiding has unveiled its first complete uniform redesign across all sections in more than 30 years, introducing flexible clothing rules for Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers. The change affects about 300,000 members and 80,000 volunteers across the UK.
Members will now only need an official top for their section or role to be considered “in uniform” at meetings and activities. They can wear it with their own suitable jeans, trousers, skirts, leggings or shorts, reducing the need for families to buy a complete outfit.
Release date, prices and availability
The new uniform will be available to order from Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Prices start at ÂŁ12 for a T-shirt, the lowest-cost option that satisfies the new uniform rule.
Most Rainbows, Brownies and Guides garments, along with accessories for all ages, are expected to be available first. Some Ranger, young leader and volunteer products will follow because shipping disruption and quality checks have delayed parts of the range.
Girlguiding expects every section and role to have access to an appropriate T-shirt by September. Ranger, young leader and adult volunteer clothing is planned in UK sizes 6 to 32. Families can check the latest availability through the official Girlguiding uniform update.
What is included in the new collection?
The collection contains 30 clothing items and 15 accessories and neckerchiefs. Each section retains recognisable colours, while shared design details show that Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers belong to the same organisation.
Practical additions include hidden waistband pockets, thumb holes and badge sashes that double as cross-body bags. Neckerchiefs and accessories can be personalised for units, regions, countries and special events.
Adult volunteers can choose from several garments, including a new “snugby”—a warm sweatshirt with a rugby-shirt-style collar designed for casual meetings, outdoor activities and smarter guiding occasions.
Do members have to buy the new uniform?
No deadline has been set for changing to the new range. Members may continue wearing their existing uniform until it no longer fits, wears out or they decide to replace it.
Old and new garments can be mixed during the transition. Volunteers are not expected to tell parents or carers that they must immediately purchase new clothing.
A lack of uniform should not prevent anyone from taking part. Families can ask their unit about local uniform banks, second-hand garments and financial assistance. Official casual clothing and country or regional T-shirts may also be accepted while stock is limited.
Why Girlguiding changed its uniform rules
Hemingway Design developed the collection over two years with input from almost 55,000 girls and adult members. Samples were tested for fit, sizing, stitching, fabric performance and comfort across different body types.
A separate June survey of 2,000 UK girls aged six to 16 found that 93% felt most comfortable when able to choose how they styled themselves. Forty-seven per cent said choosing what they wore made them feel most confident, while 33% linked confidence with freedom of expression. Another 41% said strict school-uniform rules restricted that expression.
Girlguiding chief executive Felicity Oswald said the collection was intended to support individuality while maintaining a sense of belonging. The charity also says girls in guiding are 30% more confident, although that is Girlguiding’s assessment of its own impact.
Ambassador and television presenter Angellica Bell said the range allows girls and volunteers to style their clothing in a way that suits them. The emphasis on confidence and opportunity reflects issues highlighted by the International Day of the Girl Child.
What happens to old uniforms?
Girlguiding is encouraging members to continue using existing clothing. Free summer workshops will help participants turn old uniforms into accessories, while wearable garments can be passed on or donated to local uniform banks.
The organisation says durability, repairability, organic cotton and recycled fibres were considered during development. A gradual transition is intended to reduce waste and help families spread the cost.
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How the uniform has evolved
Girlguiding has introduced nine major outfit redesigns during its 116-year history. Early Guides wore blue skirts and stockings with jumpers and neckerchiefs, while Brownies wore brown tunic dresses.
Uniforms became brighter during the 1960s, and a knitted pom-pom hat replaced the Brownie beret in 1973 after wool costs increased. T-shirts and shorts arrived in 1980 as outdoor activities expanded.
Ally Capellino redesigned the Brownie uniform in 2002. Guides received an update in 2014 that introduced brighter colours, including purple, and returned dresses to the range. The 2026 project is broader because it covers every section and volunteers at the same time.
Separate membership change begins in September
The launch comes before a separate Girlguiding membership-policy change taking effect on September 6, 2026. The decision followed the UK Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling concerning the legal definition of sex and will affect transgender members.
Girlguiding says it does not collect gender-identity information and therefore cannot confirm how many people will be affected. Similar legal questions have influenced participation policies elsewhere, including the revised Labour Women’s Conference rules for 2026. The membership change is separate from the design and purchasing rules for the new uniform.
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