The Language of Clothing

[Mike Horah]

As someone who has studied military uniforms extensively as part of my hobby of wargaming with miniatures the precise colours attributed to particular uniforms at particular times in history can be hard to pin down even if you view them in museums.

It depends partly on how well the dyes could be fixed in the period in question and as importantly the environmental impact on them in service on campaign.

An example is the classic Napoleonic army blue which could be almost a dark purple in production but which would fade with rain sun etc so that in a body of soldiers supposedly wearing the same uniform some might well find their shades look substantially different to others. Indeed the assumption was that materials would fade to the proper colour at some point!

In the modern era that may be less problematic but simply because a thing is defined in a regulation or contract spec as a particular colour does not necessarily tell you the exact shade. And it depends how much effort is put into quality control. I have no doubt the British Guards regiments have had a great deal of effort made in ensuring the exact right shade of scarlet! But then they don't tend to get much environmental damage!

I have tremendous problems discerning khaki from faded khaki from olive green from drab in the acrylic paints that I use. So I can entirely sympathise with anyone trying to match colours on actual materials. Much easier if you're using mass produced contemporary officially produced items obviously. But even then batches may differ. I would not be surprised if even the finest plaids produced 50 60 or 70 years ago have partially faded or not quite so well survived regular out of doors use.

[Jock Scot]

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------- But even then batches may differ. I would not be surprised if even the finest plaids produced 50 60 or 70 years ago have partially faded or not quite so well survived regular out of doors use.

Indeed they do.The tartan of the Atholl Highlanders are a prime example of this. I seem to recall that the last time I saw them parade, there were at least four very different shades of their tartan to be seen being very proudly worn by all ranks.

[figheadair]

Indeed they do.The tartan of the Atholl Highlanders are a prime example of this. I seem to recall that the last time I saw them parade, there were at least four very different shades of their tartan to be seen being very proudly worn by all ranks.

Ah yes, but they are a bit older, c.1840 to be precise. I doubt much modern tartan will still look so good after nearly 200 years of use.

[jsrnephdoc]

Ah yes, but they are a bit older, c.1840 to be precise. I doubt much modern tartan will still look so good after nearly 200 years of use.

They were in the NYC Tartan Day Parade. I didn't notice at the moment (too wrapped up in the marvelous sound and their stern countenances), but when I look at my video the shadings of their kilts are obviously a spectrum. Is that fading of the dyes, or a reflection of differing dye lots for garments produced at different times? Are some of those GARMENTS almost 200 years old?

And, I can't help but observe that many in the rifles corps (two separate ranks, for reasons I don't know) that followed the pipers and drummers, the faces of the marchers showed various degrees of weathering as well. Some of them may have been almost as old as ***I*** but the radiating pride they had in their service was stirring.

I can post my brief iPhone video if anyone is interested.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[RGM1]

I marched right behind with the Murray of Atholl North America contingent and there were shades of difference in their kilts. This was particularly noticeable in their flies. The explanation I got was that many were quite old and had faded over time. I will find and post a picture of me taken standing right next to them which may give a sense of the differences. They were still quite impressive.