Marching Band uniforms consist of white pants for competitions, dark navy pants for football games, a blue military style jacket, citation cord, gauntlets, hat and plume. Students must purchase a pair of white gloves, a white band shirt, citation cord, and white shoes "Dinkles" at the beginning of the season from the band director. Donations of these items by outgoing and outgrowing members are greatly appreciated.
Marching Band uniforms are issued during Band Camp. Students are responsible for, and must replace any parts that are lost. Parents are encouraged to oversee necessary pant length adjustments (2 inches off ground, wearing the official marching shoes, "Dinkles") and to maintain the uniform in good condition.
It is each student's responsibility to have the jacket and navy uniform pants dry-cleaned as needed. White pants are collected after each competition and laundered by a committee of volunteers. Navy pants and jackets are to be dry-cleaned and returned at the end of the season for storage for next year's band. Please take good care of your uniform. Uniforms cost approximately $800 each and will be used for the next 10 years.
Performance Tips
As the season progresses and the weather turns colder, the following ideas are a few tips for the wise member and parent to consider:
Clean and polish shoes before each performance
Wearing long insulated underwear is strongly advised
Warm heavy socks are a great asset for keeping the feet warm
Hand and toe warmers may be used before and after performances
The band/guard have a break during the third quarter of the game - money is needed for concession stand purchases
Dry Cleaning, Care and Handling Instructions
The following instructions for care of the Brandywine Band Uniforms are as written by the manufacturer. If you are using a dry cleaner other than Fairfax Valet, please hand the instructions for dry cleaners to the cleaner you have chosen. Please refer all questions to the Uniform Chairman of the Band Boosters.
To extend the life and retain the appearance of your DeMoulin uniform, you need to utilize the following information on preventive maintenance and handling.
Probably the most detrimental agent to band uniform fabric and fiber is perspiration. Second only to perspiration si dirt and grime particles that can embed into the material and do permanent harm to the dye and fibers causing a discoloration and permanent damage. The following information is provided to help you in maintaining your uniforms in tip-top condition.
DRY CLEANING -Responsibilities of the Purchaser, Wearer, & Dry Cleaner
Purchaser's responsibilities:
A) School/Band/Organizational Officials
a. Insure that the care recommendations contained herein and those on care labels inside each uniform garment piece are communicated effectively to the professional dry cleaner selected and each uniform garment wearer on an individual basis.
b. It is suggested that a school/band/organizational official screen prospective dry cleaning establishments and select one which is reputable, experienced in cleaning items with a potential for staining and will conform to the suggested recommendations for dry cleaning spelled out further herein.
c. A trial uniform garment should be dry cleaned and evaluated before committal of any other uniform garments in order to examine conformance to recommendations. This evaluation should be a joint effort of a school/band/organizational official and the dry cleaners with final decision to approve or disapprove resting upon the school/band/organizational official.
d. After a through c are initially done, the school/band/organizational/organizational official should make random checks in order to sustain:
1) The qualification of the dry cleaner, and
2) The wearer's awareness to a conformance of all
care recommendations.
B) Wearer's Responsibilities
a. Read and understand the complete user care responsibilities contained herein and on the care label inside each uniform garment piece.
b. Do not wash the uniform garment. Professionally dry clean only.
c. Do not hand clean in any manner. Professionally dry clean only.
d. Do not tumble dry or heat in any manner, such as hand ironing, blow-drying, or over a hot stove, a wet uniform garment piece. Hang properly and allow to air dry at ambient conditions. Follow-up promptly after air drying with requisite dry cleaning and/or pressing.
e. Do not contact uniform garment (for the purpose of modifying conditions surrounding use of the garment) with:
1) Antistats,
2) Water/oil chemicals,
3) Spot cleaning chemicals,
4) Other topical chemicals such as: bleaches, spray
deodorants, perfumes, facial makeup, etc.
f. Examine uniform garment after each use for soiling, stains, etc.
g. Abnormally stained uniform garments should be cleaned as soon as possible after the staining occurs by the approved professional dry cleaner. Do not attempt to hand clean.
h. Do not store uniform garment wet. Follow-up is in item d. above.
i. Do not store stained uniform garment for long periods of time such as at the end of the current band use season until the next band use season. Time tends to set stains.
j. Examine the uniform garment before dry cleaning and identify location type of stain (if possible) to the dry cleaner on delivery of the garment for cleaning.
k. Examine uniform garments at the dry cleaners after cleaning to determine whether or not the identified stains have been removed or if staining has occurred on dry cleaning and/or pressing. Follow up undesirable variances immediately.
l. Do not hand press for touch up. Professionally press only.
m. Any unsatisfactory conditions found after all of the above have been followed up rigorously should be referred to the uniform garment manufacturer first.
Storage
Storing your uniform is an important part of providing proper shape retention and dryness. The following points should be considered in selecting a good storage area.
Dryness - This prevents moisture retention and mildew that can rot and destroy your band fabric.
Ample Space - Plenty of space prevents wrinkling and allows moisture to escape from your uniforms.
Placement - Uniform storage should be 'easily accessible' for you, the band director, and should be away from excessive heat. The proper lace for storage should also be away from student traffic flow.
Garment Bags - Garment bags are an excellent way of protecting your uniforms from rain and adverse weather conditions.
Handling For Trips
Many bands travel and take trips throughout the year. Some trips are very close to home and others can be as far away as overseas to Europe. If your band travels, then you will be interested in the following 'Tips for Travel.'
Proper Containers - Storage for trips is an important as permanent storage for protecting your uniforms. The ideal containers are the DeMoulin Show-Case Wardrobe boxes if you have enough room on your bus, etc. They will protect your uniforms while traveling, and also by taping the seam on the opening, the wardrobe containers provide a complete enclosure for your garments.
***Brandywine Note - Since we do not own the above referenced containers, each student is expected to use a garment bag to transport their uniform at all times!***
Emergency Equipment - Provide yourself with an emergency 'First-Aid' kit for your band uniforms. If there is any need for temporary repairs or 'emergency treatment,' you will have the necessary equipment. Always, take along straight pins, safety pins, masking tape, scissors, needle and thread, extra accessories (spats, gloves, ties, etc.) uniform buttons, a few extra plumes ( if used ), extra garment bags, lint brush, and a porous cloth for wiping off spills. Febreze and Shout Wipes work well.
Other Tips -Other useful tips when traveling are:
a. Do not wear the uniforms over jeans, coats, or other outer garments, either on the bus or during a performance. This causes undo stress and strain to the uniform seams, buttons, and zippers.
b. Rainwear (raincoats, rain hoods, etc.) is always advisable whenever taking a trip. Mother Nature is unpredictable and whenever rain, snow and other types of precipitation occur, it is good to have your raincoat handy.
c. Always hang your uniform properly during your trip in order that they can dry out and the moisture can escape from them. It is very doubtful that your uniforms will be dry-cleaned during your trip, so make sure that every precaution is taken to keep them clean and dry.
d. When returning home from an active trip with many performances, have your uniform dry-cleaned. They will have absorbed much perspiration inside and probably received much wear outside.
Review of General Care and Tips for Your New DeMoulin Uniforms
a. Always hang up uniform after a performance.
b. Repair your uniforms and have any stains removed from them as soon as possible.
c. Never wear plumes in the rain!
d. Protect your uniforms from Mother Nature by the use of garment bags, rainwear, and proper storage.
e. Always hang up your uniforms in a dry place to allow moisture to escape properly.
f. Never wear coats, jeans, or other outer garments, under uniforms.
g. Dry-clean frequently to remove moisture, perspiration, and dirt.
h. Use a reputable, professional dry-cleaner.
i. Never dry-clean overlays or shakos made of vinyl or having any vinyl trim.
j. Study and follow the 'Travel Tips'
Both you and your school district have made a substantial long-term investment in purchasing your DeMoulin uniforms. By giving the uniforms proper care and handling, you will find that your DeMoulin uniforms will perform well for you and come through with 'high' flying colors!
DeMoulin Brother & Company
Laundry Instructions for White Pants
The standard procedure is for the band members to deposit their white pants into containers on the front seat of each bus. The laundry committee members then each take about 8 pair home, preferably picking them up from the busses after the competition. If the committee member is unable to be there, they should arrange for someone else to collect the pants for them.
The pants are then washed in the washing machine using regular detergent (many of the members use Tide) in cool water. For stain removal, Zout, Shout, and Biz are among the products that have worked well. Make sure to check stains before putting pants in the dryer.
Dry pants on a cool cycle in the dryer. Line drying results in a little more wrinkling. Pressing with a cool iron and a press cloth will help, but should not usually be necessary.