Girlguiding has launched its first major uniform overhaul in more than 30 years, aiming to foster a sense of belonging while allowing members to express their personal style. The new approach, which requires only a top from the range to be considered in uniform, follows feedback from thousands of Guides, Rainbows, Brownies and Rangers who valued choice and self-expression.
Design and Features
Chief executive Felicity Oswald said the uniform was “designed in collaboration with thousands of girls and young women” to give them “the freedom to express themselves, whilst feeling part of our amazing organisation.” The range, created by HemmingwayDesign, includes 30 garments and 15 accessories. Features include hidden pockets in waistbands, thumb holes, and badge sashes that double as cross-body bags.
The organisation said the uniform combines heritage and brand recognition with modern colours and prints, prioritising practicality, comfort and sustainability.
Member Feedback
A Girlguiding survey of 2,000 girls aged six to 16 in June found that 93% said they feel most comfortable when they can choose how to style themselves. Ambassador and broadcaster Angellica Bell said the new uniform “gives girls and volunteers the freedom to style it the way that suits them” and praised its “playful, bold colours and practical designs, including secret pockets.”
Oswald noted that girls in guiding are 30% more confident, adding: “The introduction of the new uniform is designed to further nurture that confidence and foster a true sense of belonging.”
Policy Change Context
The redesign, which began in March 2024 and updates the 1990 version, is launching six weeks before a change in membership policy takes effect. From that point, transgender girls will no longer be able to join the organisation, following a December announcement that limited membership to “girls and young women” in light of the 2025 Supreme Court ruling on biological sex. Some volunteers have protested the change, while others have welcomed it over safeguarding concerns.
Girlguiding currently has around 300,000 members aged 4 to 18 and about 80,000 volunteers. The organisation does not collect gender identity data, so it has no figures on how many might be affected by the rule change.
