CAMOUFLAGE DRESSES FULL

In the later part of the Medieval period instances of standardised clothing being issued for particular campaigns began to occur. Orders of military monks such as the Knights Templar or Hospitaller wore mantles respectively of white (with red crosses on the shoulder) or black (with white crosses) over the usual pattern of armour for their periods. These however seldom went beyond colours and patterns painted on shields or embroidered on surcoats. The feudal system of Western Europe provided instances of distinguishing features denoting allegiance to one or another lord.

While some auxiliary cohorts in the late Roman period had carried shields with distinctive colours or designs, there is no evidence that any one Roman legion was distinguished from another by features other than the numbers on the leather covers protecting their shields. Centurions – the century commanders who made up the long serving backbone of the legions – were distinguished by transverse crests on their helmets, various chest ornaments (phaleræ) corresponding to modern medals, torques (a symbol borrowed from the Gauls and also used as a military award), and the vine stick (Vitis) that they carried as a mark of their office. Senior commanders are known to have worn white cloaks and plumes. Fragments of surviving clothing and wall paintings indicate that the basic tunic of the Roman soldier was of un-dyed (off-white) or red-dyed wool. Even the armour produced in state factories varied according to the province of origin. However the lack of unified production for the Roman army meant that there were still considerable differences in detail. The legions of the Roman Republic and Empire had a fairly standardised dress and armour, particularly from approximately the early to mid 1st century onward, when Lorica Segmentata (segmented armour) was introduced. Roman centurion ( Historical reenactment). 200 BC) have a superficial similarity but closer examination shows up to seven different styles of armour, which do not appear to have been standardised within separate units. The Terracotta Army discovered in the tomb of the first Emperor of China (c. Another is the Spartan hoplite in his red garment.

One example is the Spanish infantry of Hannibal who wore white tunics with crimson edgings. There are a few recorded attempts at uniform dress in antiquity, going beyond the similarity to be expected of ethnic or tribal dress.

Special units such as Zouaves developed non-standard uniforms to distinguish them from troops of the line. The clothing of the German Landsknechte of the 16th century is an example of distinctive military fashion. Mercenary or irregular fighters could also develop their own fashions, which set them apart from civilians, but were not really uniforms. The kilts and sporrans of Scottish Highland clans were distilled into regimental dress when the British Army started to recruit from these tribal groups. Thus the distinctive and colourful clothing of the Hungarian hussars became a model for hussar units all over Europe. The issue is further complicated by the distinctive features (weapons, armour, fighting style and native dress) of particularly effective warrior classes often being copied. If a particular people or culture favoured a distinctive dress style this could easily create the impression of uniformly dressed warriors. Sometimes added to the casual wear category is physical training uniforms.Ī distinction should be made between uniforms and ethnic dress.

CAMOUFLAGE DRESSES FULL

Military uniforms differ not only according to military units but tend to also be offered in different levels of formality in accordance with Western dress codes: full dress uniform for formal wear, mess dress uniform for semi-formal wear, service dress uniform for informal wear, and combat uniform (also called 'battle/field dress') which would equal casual wear. Military uniforms in the form of standardised and distinctive dress, intended for identification and display, are typically a sign of organised military forces equipped by a central authority. Military dress and styles have gone through significant changes over the centuries, from colourful and elaborate, ornamented clothing until the 19th century, to utilitarian camouflage uniforms for field and battle purposes from World War I (1914–1918) on. Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian and Indian military personnel in uniform during a parade in Rome, ItalyĪ military uniform is a standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces and paramilitaries of various nations.

Camouflage dresses