Use the words “new uniform” in 2020, and many folks might think of athleisure, longer hair and fancy-from-the-waist-up attire for video conferencing, but not Girl Scouts of the USA.
The organization — now 2.5 million strong, with more than 1.7 million girls and 750,000 adults — has partnered with the Fashion Institute of Technology to launch redesigned and “customizable” uniforms and apparel pieces for those in grades six through 12. It’s the first time the uniforms have been redesigned in more than two decades.
Options include drawstring joggers, full-zip hoodie sweatshirts, cargo pants , a soft knit skater dress and a denim jacket, with pops of lilac, sky blue, charcoal, olive green and forest throughout. There’s also a new vest and sash; the latter has a hidden cellphone pocket.
The collection was created by three FIT students from the Fashion Design class of 2020: Nidhi Bhasin, Jenny Feng and Melissa Posner. Bhasin, a Girl Scout alum from New Jersey, credits the organization with strengthening her self-confidence and encouraging her to pursue her interests.
“With this collection,” she says, “our shared goal was to not only design trendy attire but also make sure that girls would feel inspired, proud and powerful while wearing each piece. 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.”
GSUSA has a long history of working with designers, including Bill Blass and Diane von Furstenberg.