The 1886 primary uniform remained unchanged from the previous season, but the Browns added more uniform options. The train conductor hats returned, as well as the brown striped caps. Artist renditions show drawings of a red or maroon uniform with blue pants. More examples will pop up in 1887. Our assumption is that the maroon uniforms were worn as road uniforms or bad weather uniforms. The biggest contradiction to that claim is a newspaper account from 1887 that refers to 1886. It claims the Browns did not have a road uniform in 1886. We are uncertain of the maroon uniform’s existence.
Newspaper articles this year explain that the team had five uniform kits, however we only know of two, with the third being a suspicion.
Newspaper Accounts
St. Louis Globe Democrat: February 11, 1886
Mr. Christ Von Der Ahe left last evening for Chicago to purchase new uniforms for the Browns. He says that there will be no change as to colors, but stronger and more durable cloth is needed. Last season the club had three suits, this season they will have five.
St. Louis Globe Democrat: March 15, 1886
A Person writing from London, Ont, to President Von der Ahe, and signing himself as “An Admirer of the Browns,” makes a very good suggestion. He says that in the words “Champions of America” there are precisely eighteen letters. As it requires nine men to play, he suggests that by placing two letters of the words “Champions of America” on the shirts of each of the players, you have the words spelled out. He further explains that when the nine go on the field before the audience, that the letters would show up in good style and the words could be easily made out. The idea is an original one, and Mr. Von der Ahe thinks very seriously of adopting it.
The Sporting News: March 17, 1886
Von der Ahe’s champions have ordered white uniforms, with brown trimmings and hose, with “St. Louis” in brown letters on the breast.
St. Louis Globe Democrat: April 15, 1886
The members of the St. Louis Browns feel very happy over winning the spring series. They look decidedly nobby in the high silk hats given to them by President Von der Ahe.
The Sporting Life: February 24, 1886
Spalding has the contract for the Browns’ uniforms. There will be two sets. They will differ but little from those of last year. The uniforms will be white and the stockings and belts brown. The same striped caps will be used, with the exception that they will have two circular stripes of brown, one at the apex and one half-way down. The belts will have nickel-plated buckles. The word “St. Louis” will be across the breast, as was the case last year. The new suits will not be worn until the opening championship game.
The Sporting News: May 10, 1886
The Browns are having a new set of uniforms made, and this time St. Louis has captured the contract. C. & W. McClean are busily engaged upon their manufacture, in order to have them ready on the return of the champions, May 16. The colors remain as heretofore — white trimmed in brown. The material is of genuine imported English cricket flannel and the best manufactured. They are simply immense.
Philadelphia Times: March 13, 1887
The St. Louis and Cincinnati clubs, the only Association teams that did not have trailing uniforms last season, have fallen into line and will come out with brand new costumes.
The newspaper account from 1887 refers to 1886, and claims the Browns did not have a road uniform, however that seems contradictory to the existence of the maroon and blue uniforms.
Team Colors
Brown – PMS 732
Brown’s Maroon – PMS 7623
Brown’s Blue – PMS 660
Brown’s Red – PMS 200
Cardinals Uniforms & Logos 