In the 18th century, British infantry wore red and French infantry wore white to grey-white, switching to dark blue after the Revolution of 1789. Both armies used the same grammar: a wool coat in the national colour, regimental facing colours on collar, cuffs and lapels, a waistcoat, breeches and a tricorne or bicorne hat. The colours differed; the system was shared.
The two systems, side by side
NATIONAL BASE COLOUR PLUS REGIMENTAL FACINGS, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CHANNEL
The British soldier of the 1700s
The redcoat: a red wool coat with the regiment's facing colour turned out on lapels, cuffs and coat linings, white or buff waistcoat and breeches, black tricorne edged in tape, and crossed white belts. Grenadiers added the tall mitre cap and later the bearskin. The full story of the colour is in our redcoat history guide.
OUR BRITISH REDCOAT REGIMENTAL TUNIC
The French soldier of the 1700s
Under the old monarchy, French line infantry marched in undyed white to grey-white wool, economical and distinctive, with regimental facings doing the identification. The Revolution changed the colour along with everything else: the National Guard's blue became the army's blue, and by the Napoleonic era dark blue with white lapels was the French look the world remembers. Our 1786 French 85th Line Infantry uniform catches the last years of the white coat era.
1786 FRENCH 85TH LINE INFANTRY CAPTAIN UNIFORM
Which impression should you build?
For Revolutionary War and Seven Years War events in North America, both sides are in constant demand, and the British redcoat is the easier first impression to research. For European Napoleonic events, French blue offers the widest choice of regiments. We handmake both: browse the British uniforms collection, the French uniforms collection, or the full 18th century range, every piece cut to your measurements.
Frequently asked questions
Why did French soldiers wear white in the 18th century?
Undyed wool was economical for a huge army, and the white coat with regimental facings became the monarchy's signature until the Revolution replaced it with blue.
Did British and French uniforms use the same facing system?
Yes. Both armies identified regiments by contrasting colours on collar, cuffs and lapels over the national base colour.
Can you reproduce a specific British or French regiment?
Yes. Send the regiment name or a reference image and we handmake the reproduction in wool to your measurements.
British and French patterns · Handmade to order
