Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So lately I've been enjoying this book on 19th C military uniforms which is when they transitioned from glorious peacock costumes filled with historical and cultural references to the remorselessly practical uniforms of WWI and beyond.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/0754819019?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Fun book, it has some issues but overall it's pretty good.

Obviously modern uniforms are interesting as well for different reasons but they're not going to be nearly as colorful and ornate as ones from the 19th century.

The exception however is dress uniforms, particularly the kind of parade and formal uniforms you only see for state visits, national days and such. I remember attending an Emperor's Birthday party (as one does) at the Japanese Embassy and seeing the military attaches all had tuxedos and katanas. The uniforms of various Indian states at their Republic day parade are also a treat. And of course the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is always worth seeing.

Dress uniforms are like a language, and if you can read it you can tell the history of a unit, culture etc, but I can't seem to find a good resource on them.

Books on the 19th C help, the Queen's Life Guard in the UK are basically wearing the same uniform, but I can't find anything modern.

Anyone know of one?

the only one i can find is from the mid 1970s

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ceremonial-Uniforms-World-Jack-Cassin-Scott/dp/0882542672/

other than that googling images for ceremonial/parade/dress uniforms with the appropriate country/army/regiment may be your only option

Ceremonial Uniforms, that might be a better term yeah.

I might pick that up, after all the whole point is that ceremonial uniforms have NOT changed over the years.

Bands, bands also have very traditional and symbolic uniforms. I remember the army band in Trinidad had jaguar skins as part of the uniform.