British soldiers were called redcoats because the infantry of the British Army wore red wool coats as their standard uniform for more than 250 years, from the New Model Army of the 1640s until khaki service dress replaced red in the early 1900s. The colour was a practical choice made by a government buying cloth in bulk, and it then became the most recognisable military identity in history.
The red coat, century by century
FROM THE 1640s TO KHAKI IN 1902
Why red, really?
The romantic explanations are mostly myths. Red was chosen because it worked for a government clothing tens of thousands of men: madder red dye was cheap, plentiful and held its colour in English wool, and a single uniform colour made friend and foe easy to tell apart through black-powder smoke. Once Parliament's New Model Army standardised red in the 1640s, the colour simply stayed, reinforced by regulation after regulation.
Each regiment was then told apart by its facing colours, the contrasting collar, cuffs and lapels laid over the red. Yellow, buff, green, blue and black facings each belonged to particular regiments, a system formalised by the mid-1700s clothing regulations.
OUR 18TH CENTURY BRITISH REDCOAT OFFICER JACKET
Did the whole army wear red?
No, and this surprises people. Red belonged mainly to the infantry and the heavy cavalry. The light cavalry regiments, the hussars and light dragoons, wore blue from the 18th century onward. Rifle regiments wore green, and the Royal Artillery wore blue as well. So a "redcoat" is specifically the British foot soldier, the man who stood in the red line. We cover the mounted side of the army in our cavalry coat guide.
The myth about hiding blood
The famous story says red was chosen so blood would not show. It is not true. Blood dries dark brown and shows clearly on red wool, and no period document records that reasoning. The real reasons were dye economics, supply and recognition. The myth survives because it is a better story than a procurement decision.
40TH REGIMENT OF FOOT GRENADIER JACKET · FACING COLOURS ON CUFFS AND LAPELS
Owning a redcoat today
Reenactors of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, theatre productions, and collectors order redcoats from us with the correct wool, facings and button arrangements for their chosen regiment. Every jacket is handmade to order and cut to your measurements. Browse the British military uniforms collection or the wider 18th century uniforms range, and see the full picture of the army's dress in our complete British uniforms guide.
Frequently asked questions
When did British soldiers stop wearing red?
Khaki service dress replaced red for fighting in the early 1900s. Red survives today in ceremonial full dress, most famously on the Foot Guards at Buckingham Palace.
What did the facing colours mean?
The contrasting collar, cuff and lapel colours identified the individual regiment within the red-coated army.
Can I buy an authentic-style redcoat?
Yes. We handmake redcoat reproductions in wool with period facings and buttons, in standard or fully custom sizing.
Every piece handmade to order · Worldwide shipping
