SLOHS Band Uniform Care Policies
The Tiger Marching Band wears special uniforms that are provided for your use. Students are responsible for the care of this uniform and will be asked to pay for the replacement of damaged items. This might include stains, body odor, rips, or mildew. The jacket, bibs, shoes, hat, hat box and garment bag together costs $550. Please help to ensure the uniform looks good for many years.
Proper Care of Uniform (You will sweat at least 2 cups per event):
Hang jacket and pants correctly on the hanger.
- Pants: Align the seams at the cuffs and fold over hanger.
- Jacket: These hangers have a front and back. If the jacket is hung backwards, damage can occur to the shoulders. The curve of the hanger is like shoulders that point to where your chest is, to where the front of the jacket goes. Zip and hook the clasp.
- Stay wrinkle-free: If your uniform is hung correctly, you’ll never have to iron the pants.
Air out your uniform for 24 hours after wearing.
- Don’t Zip: Never place zippered garment bag/uniform in a car or airtight area for long. Mildew will grow. Get uniform out and hanging in a closet as soon as possible.
- Let the sweat dry: Hang your uniform in a closet, outside of the garment bag, for at least a day. Then return it to the garment bag and leave unzipped, to stay protected.
- Hats: Open box, turn hat to expose hole. Place up high, away from pets.
- Shoes: Clean any dust and return to garment bag after airing. Don’t ever seal the plastic bag. The bag just keeps the garment bag clean and will be handy if we march in rain.
- Repack: Place your black socks into your garment bag once they’ve been washed.
If rained on, ventilate garments if they become wet.
- Hang the jacket on a chair in a well-ventilated area for at least 48 hours, until perfectly dry. If wet garments are not thoroughly dried, mildew will form and can permanently damage the uniform.
- Hang the pants correctly on the hanger and let them dry. Let mud dry before brushing it off. If wet mud is rubbed into the pores of the fabric, it could leave a stain.
- Contact Mrs. Surfleet about any mud that doesn’t come off and she’ll have it cleaned.
Take pride in your appearance in the uniform.
- Take time to put your uniform on and off correctly, and wear it properly.
- Try to remain standing or sit only on clean surfaces.
- Never eat while in your uniform and drink only water, to avoid stains.
- If you’ve taken off your jacket, but still have on your pants, you are still in uniform.
Some instruments will leave marks on your uniform. If your uniform needs to be cleaned, show Mrs. Surfleet immediately and she may have you take it Village Cleaners. Do not attempt to launder them yourself, as improper cleaning voids the warranty. All uniforms are collected in December and professionally dry cleaned at Village Cleaners at 3212 Broad Street.
If you need any uniform changes, contact student Uniform Captain, Alex Pinzon-Betancourt, in class, or Jenni Lanier at sneakylanier@gmail.com.
SLOHS Band Uniform Guidelines
Please follow these guidelines for every event, especially competitions. Uniform inspections will be held. Consider a marching season hair cut!
- Hair must not touch the collar of your uniform. Wear it up and inside your hat. We suggest a bun that’s formed at the top of your head, not the back. Some students try multiple ponytails or braids. Experiment before your first event.
- Hats are worn low at ear-top and eyebrow level, not tilted back. Chin straps are buckled and snug, so the hat does not move while marching. Try tightening the shoestring inside the hat, if needed.
- No fingernail polish or jewelry. No necklaces, rings, earrings, watches, or bracelets.
- Wear deodorant and a t-shirt under a jacket to prevent armpit stains and smells. Do not wear a tank top. Jackets must be buttoned and zipped at all times, unless given permission by the band director.
- Wear bike shorts, spandex or supportive underwear that make it easy to change in a public place.
- Black calf-high socks are to be worn with your special marching shoes.
- Pants are not to touch the top of the shoes. They should hang straight down and just rest at the shoes. If you grow during the season, please drop your hem and hand sew it in place.
- Do not eat while wearing your uniform, even if just in your pants. Drink only water.