mental_floss magazine
SUBSCRIBE >
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS >
DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS >
subscriber services >
This is a new idea I’m trying out where I talk about something trivial I just learned about and then act outraged about how nobody told me. Here goes: A few weekends ago I was at the uniform store hunting for authentic Boy Scout neckerchiefs when I noticed this:
Why did no one tell me that Oscar de la Renta was designing Boy Scout accessories?
For anyone with me on the slow train, here’s the belated scoop. At first, I was just wondering if Oscar was catering to some sort of fancier dressing subset of the Scout population. Apparently not. According to Scouting Magazine (the only source I trust for Boy Scout related news), after 60 years of basically the same uniform, the Scouts wanted to change their look. To make their outfits seem less military-like, the Boy Scouts entrusted fashion designer Oscar de la Renta?! Supposedly, de la Renta spent 4 years volunteering on the project, pulled off the “vestiges of military flavor,” changed up the colors, added a baseball hat, and made neckerchief wear optional (amongst other things). In fact, the uniforms you see today are pretty much de la Renta designs, and Scouts have been wearing them ever since the early 80’s. Who knew?
In any case, if all of this is true (I believe everything I read on the internet) it’s been over 20 years since the outfit got an overhaul. I think the Scouts are ready for a new look. Any ideas on who should be designing them? Mark Ecko? Sean John? Leave your suggestions in the comment box if you got ‘em.
Comments (20)
Comment
Ecko with an asterisk!
posted by Anita on 10-11-2007 at 12:47 pm
How about opening it up to the scouts themselves awarding a design badge when you submit a design. I’m thinking they’d like a voice in what they wear
posted by JaneM on 10-11-2007 at 1:00 pm
a new challenge for project runway?
posted by jzimm on 10-11-2007 at 1:00 pm
Just in case you’re still thinking about the Central Park Scout Shoot, the Oscar neckerchiefs are generally worn by women leaders. BTW, as a trapped volunteer for 3 years with Cub Scouts (7-11 yr olds), I have never seen anyone wear one - maybe price (they’re higher, maybe “mountain people” practicality (translated a general fashion malaise - I can say that, I live in rural Idaho), or maybe because, even though they’re haute couture (as far as BSA), they’re still dreadful!
posted by tribemom on 10-11-2007 at 1:14 pm
That’s pretty amazing. I was never a scout, so seeing that signature looked so out of place. And you’re right: the only reason I noticed the scarf in the first place was that it looked so outrageous next to the simpler neckerchiefs.
posted by Mangesh on 10-11-2007 at 1:22 pm
How come nobody told me Mangesh was shopping for Boy Scout uniforms? And why, exactly? Please tell me this has something to do with Halloween. Please.
posted by Michael Stusser on 10-11-2007 at 1:30 pm
Wow… neckerchief optional?!? My troop growing up was militant on it. We had a AS who would do uniform inspection every night and treated it as a big deal. Why do I feel that this will (or already is) precipitating a big drop in discipline? I know that it’s the habit of aging Scouts (especially Eagle) to complain about dropping standards, but these fashion changes are strange.
posted by Leadhyena on 10-11-2007 at 1:55 pm
ROFL jzimm….that’s exactly what I was thinking. Heidi has had them design for the postal service. BTW, I have YET to see Kara saun’s fur lined vest on a postal worker. Boy Scouts are a nat. Though they’ve never designed for kids/adolescents. Dogs, yes; kids, no; Nikki Hilton, yes. Wait, I already mentioned dogs.
Also, Anita, very cute with the Ecko*.
But back to the topic of redesigning. Tommy Bahama…who else would make good bermuda shorts and work wonders with beige? Just don’t let Heatherette anywhere near them.
posted by Matt on 10-11-2007 at 2:02 pm
I was told that Hugo Boss was the designer of the Nazi military uniform and that Armani is the designer behind the Italian police uniform, is this true?
posted by Leah on 10-11-2007 at 2:37 pm
Gee, maybe they should have Vera Wang do the Girl Scout uniforms!?! They used to be really hideous (maybe they still are) but it should be hip to be a Scout and be appropriately fashionable and practical without looking geeky. But at the same time, who wants to build a fire or go on a hike and have to worry about your designer uniform? But seriously, I like JaneM #2’s idea. Brilliant! As long as the new uniforms aren’t manufactured in a foreign country please….
posted by Cyndi on 10-11-2007 at 3:26 pm
How about the uniform update being a challenge on the next Project Runway?
posted by Josh on 10-11-2007 at 3:49 pm
I cringed when I saw that neckerchief design, even more when suggested to be on Project Runway.
I’m a gen Y’er. I grew up in a strict troop and was the SPL also (and later an ASM). The Class A dress code is your basic uniform and accessories are decided by the troop. My first troop had the standard short sleeve shirt, green pants (not the cargo ones w/ pockets by the knees), scout belt, green scout socks, and black dress shoes. They were pretty militaristic since it was a troop with a long history. As “accessories” to the basic, we had our berets. Even now, they have done away with the scout berets in that troop.
As I moved to a different troop, we had the basic uniform but instead of a beret, we used neckerchiefs and the mesh caps.
As long as future Scout fashion looks like they belong in camping, the mountains or in the military(that’s where it evolved from), I’m okay with it. Other than that, I don’t think it needs to be updated that much.
Oh, and as an aside, the Girls Scouts of America are a seperate organization from the BSA so I have no idea how their uniforms came about.
posted by Nick on 10-11-2007 at 6:03 pm
Yes! I’m heavily involved in the BSA (been in Venturing for the past 6 years and work at a camp, etc, etc). I am delighted to know that when I am that uniform, I am actually being fashionable! Oscar de la Renta! Who knew?
posted by Tiffany Anne on 10-11-2007 at 8:14 pm
>
I’m thinking the parents of these rough ‘n tumble outdoorsy living-off-the-land Scouts won’t be particularly pleased if their son suddenly shows a flair for fashion design…
posted by Jill on 10-11-2007 at 9:14 pm
Designer uniforms and you earn jewelry.
…And yet they’re so homophobic.
posted by jan on 10-11-2007 at 9:57 pm
Yes, it’s true.
They allow women in Scouting (oh the shame)
In addition to making scarves for them, with designer labels, they also allow the ladies to wear skirts if they choose.
They should wear shorts and knee socks like the rest of us real men.
posted by OldTimer on 10-12-2007 at 6:16 am
I’m a lifelong Scout and Scouter, and I remember when the DeLa Renta uniforms came out on ‘80. The old timers hated them becuase they thought they were too sissy. I like the look alright, everything is just very expensive.
posted by dkvideo0 on 10-12-2007 at 2:04 pm
The new breakaway pants (or whatever you call the pants that let you zip off the bottom half of the legs) are kinda cool. And the longer cargo type shorts are ok too.
I agree though….let Tommy Bahama at it! LOL
posted by Karen on 10-14-2007 at 9:25 am
I think that when you wear short pants that you should be required to wear kneesocks. I think tht the present kneesocks should be redesigned to look like kneesocks currently worn today ie cable, flat knit or opaque kneesocks with cuffs. more fashionable.
posted by Mark on 11-25-2007 at 5:14 pm
A new Boy Scout uniform will be introduced in the summer of 2008.
posted by Scout Dad on 4-22-2008 at 7:25 pm