Adult British Redcoat Fancy Dress Costume Mens, Revolutionary War Halloween Outfit, Historical Colonial Jacket for Theater

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The ratio of women following the army varies widely over the period, ranging up to 17 women per 100 men in some theatres of the American Revolution. At the Battle of Edgehill, the first battle of the English Civil War, Royalist troops wore red coats, as did at least two Parliamentary regiments. It is one of three coloured tunics used by the British Army; alongside dark green tunics (used by The Rifles and Royal Gurkha Rifles), and dark blue tunics (used by several units, such as the Royal Artillery). The formation of the first English standing army ( Parliamentarian New Model Army in 1645) saw red clothing as the standard dress.

Camp life was dirty and cramped with the potential for a rapid spread of disease, [2] and punishments could be anything from a flogging to a death sentence. From 1800 onwards soldiers received a daily beer money allowance in addition to their regular wages.The term redcoat originated in 16th century Tudor Ireland as a derogatory term for the British, as British soldiers in Lord Lieutenant of Ireland's army wore red coats, the first time British soldiers collectively had a red uniform, the term was then brought to America and Europe by Irish emigrants. Various dye goods were used for these middle quality reds, but lac, pigment extracted from the vegetable resin shellac, was the most common basis.

It was then that the New Model Army, representing the Parliamentary forces, embraced the red coat as part of their standard-issue military attire. There had been instances of red military clothing pre-dating its general adoption by the New Model Army. The adoption and continuing use of red by most British/English soldiers after The Restoration (1660) was the result of circumstances rather than policy, including the relative cheapness of red dyes.From 1870 onwards, the more vivid shade of scarlet was adopted for all ranks, having previously been worn only by officers, sergeants and all ranks of some cavalry regiments. It was believed that this would boost morale and enhance the sense of camaraderie between the soldiers. The red coat goes beyond its original role as a uniform to become an enduring symbol of military tradition.