Despite claiming in 1880 that the team would be known as the Red Stockings in the future, the club wore brown in the 1881 season. We have two newspaper description that describe the uniform being plain white with brown hats, belts, and socks. Curiously one newspaper points out the team wore white canvas shoes.
Newspaper Accounts
St. Louis Globe Democrat: April 25, 1881
The Brown Stockings met yesterday afternoon at the Grand Avenue Base Ball Park and effected a permanent organization. Jim Pennoyer, of the Turf Exchange, was elected manager and treasurer and Ed Gault field captain. The following players, who expressed a willingness to play with the club during the season, were represented at the meeting and will play in these positions: Baker, catcher; McGinnis, pitcher; Gault, first base; McDonald, second; J. Gleason, third; W. Gleason, shortstop; Magner, left field; McSorley, center field; Seward, right field and change catcher; Cuthbert, substitute. Christ Von der Ahe, President of the Sportsmans’ Park and Club, presented the Browns with uniforms, for which a vote of thanks was tendered to him. The colors of the club will be the same as of old. The pants and shirts will be of white flannel, and the caps, belts and stockings brown in color. White canvas shoes will be worn. The Browns will represent the Grand Avenue Park on the diamond.
Topeka Daily Capital: May 4, 1881
St. Louis, April 30. — The opening game of the year between the St. Louis Red and Brown Stocking base ball clubs will take place at the Reds’ park on Compton avenue, commencing at three o’clock this afternoon. Both teams will be out in full force and both will appear in their new uniforms. The Reds will sport the same colors as they did last year, their uniforms being all white with the exception of their stockings, which are red. The Browns this year, as has already been stated, will wear brown caps, belts and stockings, the rest of their uniform being made of a white flannel. Both teams, as illustrated by the following list, will be very evenly matched:
Team Colors
Brown – PMS 732
Off-White Fabric – CMYK: 1/2/3/0
Cardinals Uniforms & Logos 