Care and Cleaning of FMC Uniforms and Glossary of Terms
Washing instructions for the Uniform Bib, Superman Jacket, Performance Tops, Gauntlets, & Cinches: Uniforms are fitted to each marcher and recorded on the luggage tag of each marcher’s garment bag. IF you’ve determined that washing is necessary (if not mandatory), then you may (infrequently) wash them in your washing machine. Remove sashes and capes (if applicable) and return them to the garment bag without washing them. Wash bib, tops, cinches, and/or jackets in cool water on a gentle cycle with Woolite detergent. Immediately hang to dry, but DO NOT EXPOSE THEM TO SUNLIGHT to dry because the fabric’s color fades. Replace sashes and capes and hang the assigned # bib, jacket, tops, etc., to hangers in the correct garment bag if washing more than one at one time.
Washing instructions for Guard: Air them out by hanging them spaced out and open-zippered. Typically, we Febreeze the guard uniforms until the final show is finished if we think the fabric is too delicate to handle a washing mishap. However, you may wash your guard uniform (VERY VERY INFREQUENTLY) by placing it in a zippered delicates bag and washing it by itself in cold water in the gentlest cycle with Woolite; you may dry it with ABSOLUTELY NO HEAT—only air. If you don’t know how to do that with your dryer, don’t risk it, just air dry the uniform but DO NOT EXPOSE THEM TO SUNLIGHT to dry because of fading. Listen to your instructor’s suggestions for best fit, such as powdering the body, etc.
Storing instructions: wash socks, Spanx, and show shirt after every performance and bring them fresh to the next performance; bring wind suit as directed (wash as needed); in between performances, it may not be necessary to wash the performance tops, etc. Place the Garment bag to the right of the circular name tag in the uniform room. Place the aussie bag on the shelf.
Uniform Glossary
Aussie: Marching hat with a clip holder for the plume and a decorative triangular mirror; 2019 marchers will wear them for parades; brim is worn parallel to the ground
Aussie bag: a black duffle personalized with a luggage tag that contains Dinkles, Aussie, Cinch, Gloves, Gauntlets
Bib: (aka bibbers) the pants-like overalls
Black socks: keep a spare set in your car, everyone wears them in the special black marching shoes
Cabbie hat: Marching Tuba hats
Cinch: An elastic-y and wide belt worn over the bib for best fit (everyone wears)
Compression Undergarments: form-fitting, elastic-y underwear (write your name in them); compression shorts for males, and compression shorts plus camisoles for females
Dinkles: the brand name of the marching band marchers’ shoes
Garment bag: typically a blue garment bag personalized with a luggage tag that contains 2 hangers, 1 superman jacket and attached sash, 1 performance top, 1 bib
Gauntlets: Black “glove extensions” with a silver button to complete the Cavalier look; please note that drumline gauntlets have the Velcro arranged so the gauntlets are cone-shaped on their sleeves, whereas everyone else’s are tear-drop shaped on their sleeves.
Gloves: White or black cloth gloves for marching
Guard shoes: special shoes for the guard
Guard Uniform: typically a unitard specially designed per show, but often accessorized with a costume.
Letterman Jackets/Varsity Letter Jackets/PA Letter Jacket: When your band student tracks his or her band accomplishments according to this form, s/he could earn the PA Varsity Band Letter that can go on Letterman Jacket. Students receive the letter (PA in Red, White, and Blue stiff fabric) as an award at Band Banquet. Parents may then go to a custom sports apparel shop such as Sports Connection https://www.sportsconnectionva.com/ Sports Connection, custserv@sportsconnectionva.com, 757-340-9758, 545 Central Dr. #110, Virginia Beach, VA 23454--in-person ordering required to supply them with your band PA letter for them to sew it to the left breast panel (Approx. $265.00). There are many choices a band student and his or her parents can make. Be sure to include the letter on the student’s left breast and his or her name on his or her right breast. Princess Anne High School Fabulous Marching Cavaliers on the back in white, bold Helvetica letters, the year of graduation on the student’s left arm, competition patches on the student’s right arm, and section on the back (PRINCESS ANNE FMC <Drumline, Trumpet, Mellophone, Percussion. . .> ).
Performance Top: marchers and pit all wear a custom-made G2 Performance Wear costume, designed for the show that year.
Plume: Delicate ostrich feather to decorate the top of the aussie; chaperones replace and retrieve the plumes immediately before and after each show
Senior Sashes: We order sashes by Sept. 20 to be ready for Senior Football game on Oct. 25, 2019. It takes several weeks to create the sashes and the band parents have a senior sash making session for those who’d like to share ideas.
Show shirt: the annual t-shirt with the show dates on it, typically worn under the bib (write your initials on the collar tag)
"Superman Suit": our pet name for the red parade jackets with the blue with silver sequin sashes. When the kids put them on, they feel and look super.
Wind suit: FMC red pants and zippered jacket, embroidered with the FMC Logo.
If you take the uniforms home to wash for another person, please make sure the numbers are marked accurately for the bib and jacket on the luggage tag of the garment bag, then wash like pieces together and keep the turnaround time short. All uniforms should return within 4 calendar days (as soon as PA opens again, if extended by weather or holidays). Return the corresponding uniform parts to the garment bag as noted on the garment bag nametag.