Goodbye 1990s marching band uniforms. Your ruffled dickies and restrictive cummerbunds will not be missed.

In place of dated uniforms — that did not include pants, the Elma High School band will receive sleeker, more modern uniforms in about six months. Second-year band teacher, Jessica Ewing is taking the band to the next level with the purchase of 75 new uniforms.

“It’s a matter of pride,” Ewing said. “We want to let people know that band is still here.”

Ewing said the new uniforms will instill a sense of pride into the students when they perform at shows, parades and at fundraising venues. Her ultimate goal is for the marching band to perform a half-time field show at an Elma football game, but the new uniforms will not arrive in time for the 2016 football season.

But, that doesn’t mean the band won’t perform. Ewing said the marching band will take the field at the last home game in October to perform a song or two.

The uniforms were custom-designed and ordered through DeMoulin, a music apparel company from Illinois. The company has been in business since 1892 and make uniforms for marching bands, color guards, choirs and concert bands.

The cost for the uniforms was about $25,000, with the Elma School Board providing $10,000, and $5,000 each from the athletic director, principal and the band’s own ASB fund.

“We have all year to fundraise for it,” Ewing said.

The new uniforms still convey the militaristic feeling of traditional marching band uniforms but incorporate some clever design elements.

The jackets are royal blue with a white placket on the front and white trim, designed to provide a trimmer look. The cut of the jacket also provides the look of wider shoulders and a trim waist. Shoulder loops also accentuate the breadth of the shoulders. The pants are constructed more like overalls and because of their higher waist, give the impression of longer legs.

“It’s all about creating shapes,” Richard Kirk, DeMoulin sales representative, said while taking measurements at EHS. “We the broad shoulders and the slim waist and for everyone to look pretty much the same.”

About 50 of the uniforms will be made to fit individual band members and 25 uniforms will arrive in a variety of sizes. Kirk said even though measurements were taken on individuals, the uniform is made to fit a wide range of sizes.

The silver eagle emblem on the front of the hat or shako will be replaced by a mirrored triangle, which Ewing said will work in a variety of different shows. The plumes will be blue, save for the drum majors who will sport white plumes.

Gabe Belcher, a senior who plays tenor sax said he thought the new uniforms looked good.

“They’re pretty cool, but I only get to wear it one time,” Belcher said. The uniforms are expected to arrive in February or March.

At the Elma School Board meeting, held Sept. 14, the two junior drum majors, Abigail Spoonhoward and Janae Burtner, modeled the old and new uniforms. The band went to the meeting to thank the members for the uniforms.

“This makes the statement that band still does matter,” Burtner said. “I promise you — we will take care of them.”