Jump to Battle Road Clothing Guide

If you request material for a uniform and you have the tailoring done by a non regimental approved tailor, and it does not meet certain criteria, then the garment must be redone until it complies. This has been the unit practice for some time and will remain so until a vote changes it.

The Uniform Committee makes decisions regarding the uniform, pattern, and material, including buttons, shoes, gaiters, stockings etc..While it will be up to the company commander to determine the uniform of the day, late war/early war due to climate changes, the basic form of the pieces shall be of a certain standard.

We are a member of an umbrella organization called the British Brigade and as such we agree to abide by their rules and clothing standards while at their events, these standards are the same as those for the Battle Road Committee, and it would seem silly to vary our standards depending on the event sponsor. To paraphrase the pertinent parts of the Brigade standards.

The British Brigade has a long-standing tradition of providing to the public an enjoyable demonstration with re-enactors in appropriate clothing. Spectators have made numerous comments about the quality and authenticity of the clothing that British Brigade re-enactors wear at our events. On the other hand, spectators have also called us to account when guest units (or even member units) have been lax and displayed obvious anachronisms. Many of our units display the highest possible attention to the details of their kit. The British Brigade intends to continue this trend toward greater authenticity. We thank everyone for the research and effort they have undertaken in preparing their clothing and uniforms.

Guest units must meet high standards, as the public will not know whether any giver person is or is not a member of the British Brigade. Our general expectation is that all re-enactors will be wearing uniforms and clothing documented for their impression, made of appropriate natural materials, to correct 18 th Century patterns.

The following types of items are not tolerated:

Modern army boots or black sneakers as foot gear, even under gaiters. 20 th Century clothing articles adapted to 'look' 18 th Century (such as tights or white jeans made into breeches or trousers). Clothing items made from polyester, nylon, or other synthetic materials Clothing made from costume patterns, such as Simplicity. Clothing not appropriate for the American Revolution, such as buckskinner/mountain man items.

Weapons that are not safe and authentic replicas to the American Revolution. Accouterments such as Company pins, logos, nameplates or any other paraphernalia not authentic to the period.

Surprisingly, all of these have been seen on non-British Brigade units at our events. These will not be tolerated and will subject individuals to immediate dismissal from the event by our Inspector General. If you have any questions on the acceptability of anything in a members kit, please contact us and we will advise you.

General requirements:

Participants are required to dress authentically in appropriate clothing for the British Army of the American Revolution. If you have an early war interpretation and kit, you are welcome to use it. However, if you can go further and adapt your early war kit to make it more appropriate for the 1779-1781 Southern campaign, it will be very much appreciated. For example, although linen or wool breeches are acceptable, we know of two British companies that are making linen canvas gaitered trousers for this event, as being more appropriate. We particularly recommend that Highland units replace kilts with trousers if at all possible.

No anachronisms such as: cameras, cigarettes, plastic items, wrist watches, non-period glasses or sunglasses, plastic, modern gun cleaning, coolers, etc., will be used in sight of any spectator while on the field. (You may bring your camera, but do not use it on the field in sight of spectators while a scenario is being played out. We suggest you wrap it in cloth to make it less obvious. Please hide it in a pocket or bag when not in use.) Because of the expense of period glasses, modern glasses will be accepted if not too obvious (wire frames only).

No anachronisms visible in camp during public hours. No baled straw for camp seats (must be returned to stock pile). No visible coolers/contemporary camping equipment (put in tent). No alcohol drinking during public hours (British Brigade policy). Use impression-appropriate furniture (British Army is on campaign), ideally folding stools, ladder-backs, chests, boxes, etc.

No Rendezvous chairs (they will be used as firewood). No lantern stands until after dark, then only if needed (the Provost promises to throw these anachronisms in the pond if out during the day). Tie your tents to hide modern gear inside.

Further, remember that the British Brigade runs an 18 th Century camp around the clock. You will harm your reputation if you have anachronisms visible in camp even after public hours!

MEN'S CLOTHING

Military uniform coat or jacket of wool properly lined or unlined, or other uniform sleeved outer garment as documented for your unit. We are requesting non-uniformed European or American troops to consider either making or borrowing uniform coats or portray militia with the American Congress Army, as there were no non-uniformed troops with Clintonıs Army. For these, a frock coat, workman's jacket, sleeved waistcoat, farmer's smock (non-fringed pullover style acceptable), of wool, linen (flax or hemp), or cotton is appropriate.

Shirt: long, full sleeved, closed neck with stock, cravat, or neck cloth: Wool, linen, cotton in white, natural, or checked. Waistcoat: wool or linen, as documented or appropriate for your unit.

Breeches, Trousers, or Gaitered Trousers: wool or linen is acceptable. Leather accepted only if documented for your unit, and of appropriate style. Trousers and gaitered trousers are the preferred uniform item for the British Army late war impression.

Stockings: over the knee, wool, cotton or linen, white or colors, held up with leather or cloth tape garters. Athletic socks are not allowed.

Shoes: period-style leather shoes with buckles or 2-hole lace up, quarter boots, or other appropriate 18 th Century footwear documented for your unit. Modern, plain-toed, black shoes may be worn if covered by gaiters, half gaiters, or gaitered trousers and if not of obvious modern style.

Gaiters: Optional with period-style shoes. Half gaiters preferred to full military gaiters, due to season and climate.

Hats and other items of appropriate materials as documented for your unit. The above do not pertain to Native warriors, who are held to equivalent standards of dress.

WOMEN'S CLOTHING (with acknowledgement to the Battle Road authenticity committee)

Sleeved outer garment such as full or three-quarter length gown, jacket, caraco, "shortgown", bed jacket, or riding habit of wool, linen, or cotton (or silk if appropriate to the overall impression). Because of the difficulty of obtaining period-appropriate prints, it is recommended that you avoid prints unless you have studied them in detail or can find exact replicas (such as Williamsburg replicas); paisleys, cabbage roses, and 19th century calicoes are not correct. The sleeveless so-called "French bodice" and "English bodice" are not acceptable and not permitted. A sleeved outer garment is required.

Petticoats: at least three yards in circumference, longer than mid-calf; high-ankle/low-calf suggested. At least one petticoat with full length gown; otherwise at least two. See above concerning prints.

Shift: low necked, sleeves reaching below elbow. Linen, cotton, or wool in white or natural.

Stays: recommended. Should provide conical shape to upper body.

Neck handkerchief: recommended. Triangle or folded square of linen, cotton, or wool (or silk, if appropriate) in white, natural, or small checks or stripes.

Apron: Optional. Wool, linen, or cotton in solid color or small checks or stripes. No eyelet.

Stockings: over the knee, linen, wool, or cotton, white or colors, held up with leather or cloth tape garters. Athletic socks are not allowed. (As stockings do not show above low calf at most, plain modern knee socks are acceptable though not encouraged and garters are optional.)

Shoes: period-style leather or cloth shoes with buckles or 2 hole lace up, black or brown (appropriate modern leather shoes may be worn if petticoats reach ankles or lower), or period-style clogs or moccasins (workman's ankle height, not calf-high). Shoes are optional but strongly recommended.

Cap: White or natural. Acceptable cap styles are too numerous to list here, but "mobcaps" (a single circle of cloth gathered with a casing and/or elastic to form a ruffle) are not acceptable. Note that a plain cap with front band and gathered back is the simplest to make. A cap or hat is required except for fine ladies and slatterns. No eyelet lace.

Hat: Low-crowned women's style in straw, chip, or felt, plain or covered, or, if appropriate to the overall impression, a man's civilian-style felt hat. A cap or hat is required except for fine ladies and slatterns.

Hair: Either long, pulled back from the face, and put up, or hidden with a cap. Long or thick bangs should be pulled back off the face. Obviously-dyed hair should be well-covered by a cap. If the overall impression is of a slattern, then loose hair is acceptable.

Make-up: Only if 18th century style (white face paint, beauty spots, etc.). Appropriate only for fine ladies and actresses.

About lace: Eyelet and tatting are not authentic to the period. Crochet is not acceptable in any form (lace, shawls, etc.). Machine-made lace is acceptable if it is in imitation of period-style lace.

CHILDRENıS CLOTHING (with acknowledgement to the Battle Road authenticity committee)

Babes in arms: shirt or shift, and cap, of linen, cotton, or wool, in white or natural. Frock, shoes and stockings optional. If plastic diapers are used, cover with a cloth. Young children: shift of linen, cotton, or wool, in white or natural. Child's frock, or "shift dress" with sash. Cap and/or hat for girls (optional but preferred), cap or hat for boys (optional). Stockings as for women.

Period-style shoes including moccasins; due to the expense of children's shoes, any black or brown leather lace-up modern shoes, or moccasins, are also acceptable. Shoes and stockings are optional but strongly recommended. "Young children" are unbreeched boys from toddlers through age 3 to 7 and girls from toddlers through early puberty.

Older boys: generally same as men.

Older girls: generally same as women.