Buff (colour) facts for kids

Buff is a light brownish-yellow color. It's a warm, earthy shade that reminds people of natural things like sand, clay, or certain animal fur. You might see it in many places, from buildings to animals and even old documents.

What is the Color Buff?

Buff is a soft, pale color that mixes light brown and yellow. It's often described as a creamy or sandy yellow-brown. The name "buff" comes from the color of an un-dyed, strong leather called "buff leather." This leather was originally made from buffalo hide.

Where Can We See Buff?

Buff is a very common color in nature and everyday life.

Buff in Nature

• Animals: Many animals have buff-colored fur or feathers. Think of a buff-colored dog or a cat. Some birds, like the buff-banded rail or the buff-necked ibis, have buff markings. Even insects, like the Phalera bucephala moth, can have buff wingtips that help them blend in with their surroundings.
• Plants and Fungi: You might see buff-colored fungi growing on trees. Some flowers, like the 'Buff Beauty' rose, also show this lovely shade.
• Earth and Rocks: Buff is a common color for sand, cliffs, and certain types of soil like loess. This is why many natural landscapes have a buff appearance.

Buff in Everyday Objects

• Paper: Have you ever used Manila paper or seen buff envelopes? These are often made in this color. Artists also use buff-colored paper for drawings.
• Buildings: Many buildings are made from buff stone or buff bricks. This gives them a warm, classic look.

Buff in History and Culture

The color buff has been important in different ways throughout history.

Uniforms and Clothing

• Military: In the past, buff was a popular color for military uniforms. For example, soldiers of The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) wore red coats with buff linings and breeches. During the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Army wore "the Buff and Blue" uniforms, which became famous.
• Fashion: Buff was also used in everyday clothing. You can see it in 17th-century waistcoats or dress boots.

Symbols and Flags

• Universities: Some institutions, like George Washington University, use buff as one of their official colors.
• Flags: The Maine State Flag from 1901 to 1909 featured a buff background.
• Ships: Famous ships, like the RMS Oceanic and the Titanic, had buff funnels (smokestacks) with black tops.

Images for kids

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  Buff after A. Maerz

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  Standard buff after A. S. Jennings.

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  Buff after R. Ridgway.

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  Buff sand

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  Buff rock at the top of a cliff

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  Buff loess

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  Buff bands on a snake

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  A moth with buff wingtips (Phalera bucephala)

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  The buff wingtips of this moth aid in camouflage.

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  Buff fungi

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  A pair of northern buffed-cheeked gibbons

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  The buff-banded rail

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  The buff-necked ibis

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  The burnished-buff tanager

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  Traditional buff stone buildings

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  Modern buff brick buildings (centre)

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  Manila paper

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  Buff envelopes

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  Red and white chalk portrait on buff paper

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  Black chalk with brown wash, heightened with white on buff paper

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  Graphite drawing with watercolour wash on buff paper

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  A buff gun dog

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  A buff mousing cat

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  A buff chicken

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  The Buff Orpington Duck

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  The rose cultivar 'Buff Beauty'.

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  17th-century English musician wearing a buff waistcoat

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  17th-century Italian nobleman wearing buff dress boot uppers

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  Early depiction of John Bull with the buff clothing typical of a 16th-century Englishman

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  John Bull wearing buff dress boot uppers

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  John Bull wearing buff trousers

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  Buff German uniforms

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  Dry vegetation in Europe

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  Soldier of The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) wearing "a new Red Coat lin'd with a Buff colour'd lining, .... Breeches of the same colour as the Coat lining."

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  Continental Army uniforms: "The Buff and Blue"

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  US chevron - quartermaster sergeant insignia (1902-1909) buff on black with blue detail.

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  General Washington wearing the buff and blue

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  George Washington University banners featuring the buff and blue

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  The 1901 Maine Flag flown from 1901 to 1909

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  Ships of the White Star Line, such as the RMS Oceanic pictured here, and the Titanic, had buff funnels with black tops.

See also

In Spanish: Ante (color) para niños