Military uniform

A military uniform is a set of clothes worn by people in the armed forces. A uniform makes it easy to see that a person is in the forces, and which side they are on. A uniform may be made to impress people, or to frighten them.

In Hannibal's army there were soldiers who wore white tunics with crimson edgings. The Roman armies had uniforms. Their commanders had white cloaks and feathers on their helmets. The centurions had special helmets, and chest ornaments a bit like modern medals

The normal 18th century military uniform in Europe was a three sided hat, long-skirted coat, waistcoat and breeches. Uniforms got more colourful after the Napoleonic Wars. British soldiers had red clothing and were called "Redcoats". By the time of the First World War most uniforms were much duller, and less expensive, because the armies were very large. Grey, khaki and blue were the common colours. Steel helmets became very common.

By World War II plain and practical combat dress had replaced the colourful uniforms, except for parades. Now almost all armies wear some sort of camouflage.

There may be different uniforms for different activities. There may be a dress code. For actual fighting there may now be camouflage. In the past there was often armour. People who have won medals or awards may put them on their uniform or be given special uniform for a parade.

Military Uniform Media

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  Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian and Indian military personnel in uniform during a parade in Rome, Italy

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  Roman centurion (Historical reenactment).

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  Facing colours were introduced to distinguish the various regiments. Here, the Régiment du Lyonnais with red and green facings on the standard grey uniform (1720–1734)

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  Solaks, the Janissary archer bodyguard of the Sultan by Lambert de Vos, c. 1575

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  Uniforms used by the Prussian Army from 1701 to 1919

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  Uniforms used by the Royal Navy during the mid-19th century

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  Colour plate from the War of the Rebellion Atlas depicting Union and Confederate uniforms

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  Test uniforms created in 1912 by Edouard Detaille for the French infantry in order to lessen the visibility of the troops on the battlefield as can be seen on the campaign dresses (right).