The Dopest Military Uniforms Throughout History From Around the World

Image via Complex Original

Time Period: Joseon Period (1392-1897)

This uniform is indicative of the Joseon period in Korean history, which is noted as the last Korean dynasty—ending in 1897. The uniform, or Gugunbok, consists of a Dongdali (the inner robe with scarlet sleeves and a Jikryeong straight collar) with a sleeveless Jeonbok robe over top. This was accented with a Jeondae sash around the middle, tall Hwa boots, and Jeonrip wide-brimmed hat. The Jeonrip would be accented with beads, ribbon, and/or peacock feathers as befit the soldier's rank, especially for military officers. Ceremonially, the Deungchae (a baton with lash) was held out horizontally as a salute to other soldiers and honored officials.

Time Period: Soviet Era (1922-1991)

Prior to and just following WWII, the Red Army in Russia solidified its military uniform with changes that were meant to not only separate the nation from it's Tsarist past, but also remain virtually unchanged for decades to come. The Gymnasterka was the base tunic, with collar tabs and a two-button breast opening—eventually featuring a stand-and-fall collar. While much of the traditional “Imperial Army” uniform was lost following the Russian Revolution, after 1943 the Soviets re-instated the use of traditional denotations of rank, including shoulder boards and color patches. In terms of headwear, men traditionally wore a Papakha, a sheepskin hat that sat at the temples and barely touched the ears. This would be replaced by the more commonly seen (and somewhat stereotypical) Ushanka ear flap hat. In the winter, this uniform would be topped by a wool great coat with collar patches to identify rank—sometimes with a shearling collar for infantrymen or when not in parade regalia.

Time Period: 1848-Present

Influenced by the former British Empire, Indian uniforms are in the modern British style with a twist. The region was one of the first with an army in which a khaki uniform was implemented, with high trousers, protective gaiters around the feet and ankles, and a short sleeve shirt. The Indian Army has a large amount of variation in its uniforms, with differentiating waistbands, turbans, and other headgear colors denoting what regiment the solider is a part of. Sikhs are excused from wearing military helmets in place of a traditional turban or Dastaar. For example, saffron colored turbans are associated with valor and sacrifice, and blue is associated with service.

At the India-Pakistan border, an aggressive dance-like ritual is performed when the Wagah land border is closed, with the Pakistani troops wearing a distinctly black uniform, and the Indians wearing an olive shirt and khaki trousers. Each side wears a pronounced “cockscomb” hat—something that resembles a turban with a mohawk on top.

Time Period: Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)

While the French have changed governments several times over its long history, one of the most notable (and most expensive) periods is that of the Napoleonic wars. With an extravagance that would never return to military dress, during Napoleon's reign, the French had one of the most ostentatious uniforms available at the time. The uniform began with a white waistcoat, and then was topped by a tailed dark blue coat with blue sleeves, a red collar and cuffs, and white piping. Greatcoats went over top of the whole uniform, coming in brown, gray, or the same dark blue as the standard choice. While the French weren't the only ones to have a greatcoat as part of their uniform at this time, theirs was cut slimmer and shorter, making it necessary to roll up and attach to their haversack (backpack) when not in use.

The bicorn hat is what most people associate with this particular uniform—a wide boat-shaped hat that was used for all, but eventually isolated for officer or parade use. This would be replaced by the tall Shako helmet, which featured rope and pompons that used color to denote unit, position, and battalion. On bottom, the soldiers wore white or grey-brown breeches and black or white gaiters.

Time Period: 1506-Present

Historically operating as mercenaries, the Swiss have acted as guards from foreign European courts to guards of the Pope in the Vatican City, which is probably their most notable position. The uniforms of the Papal Swiss Guard have a Renaissance appearance, with stripes of crimson, blue, and gold covering the uniform throughout. The head is covered by a black beret, or silver morion helmet in formal occasions. Sergeants wear a black top with crimson leggings, while other officers wear an all-crimson uniform. The regular duty outfit is usually a solid neutral blue, with a flat white collar (as opposed to the tri-color's high collar) and a brown belt.

At eight pounds, this uniform may be the heaviest stand alone uniform in use today, and its old Renaissance style makes them extremely difficult to reproduce. The traditional Swiss guard also carries old-fashioned weapons, including the halberd spear, and sword. The Vactican Swiss Guard unit itself is nearly 510 years old.

Time Period: Circa 1650-Present

One of the last traces of the “redcoats,” the Queen's Guard is a symbol of not only the royals of England, but also the culture's military history. With the red coats first implemented in 1658, the guard wore scarlet until WWI, and then picked it back up in 1920. The red coat has a number of myths around it, with some claiming it is the easiest color to distinguish on the battlefield, or that it will hide the embarrassment of blood on the uniform—most likely the color was selected because red dye was cheap and quick to set into clothing.

The Royal Guards have five different regiments, which cycle duties between guarding the Queen and the Palaces, and going on location. The five regiments are the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards, and the Welsh Guards. Each regiment is distinguished by its button spacing, plumage, and badge insignias. The unifying aspects of the uniform include the bright red coat, the dark navy pants, black boots, and the Napoleonic France-bearskin, which was adopted after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.

Time Period: 1833-Present

The Evzones are a traditional unit of the Greek Army, comprised mainly of soldiers from the light infantry and mountain sections of the armed forces. Today, their role is primarily a ceremonial one, guarding the Presidential Mansion and the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which are both located in Athens. The traditional uniform is derived from the uniform worn by the Klephts when expelling the Ottomans. The uniform is centered around the Fustanella, a drapey skirt-like white shirt. The Fermeli waistcoat (with detailing to signify rank) goes over the top of the wide-sleeved Ypodetes shirt. The Evzones also wear a Farion, or tassled fez, on their head.

Aside from the Fustanella, the most recognizable piece of the Evzone uniform is the Tsarouchia, which are effectively a pair of red leather clogs with black pompoms on the toe. When the guard changes, the Evzones do a coordinated change, which resembles something like a high-kick dance.

Time Period: Bakamatsu to Early Meiji Period (circa 1866-1869)

Japan's foreign influence (or lack thereof) throughout its history is clearly visible in its uniforms. During the shogunate, the feudal system provided that each feudal clan provided soldiers to protect the ruling Shogun—and the nation itself. As that system of the the Bakamatsu era gave way to the Meiji Restoration, uniforms also shifted from distinctly Japanese to one of foreign influence. While in this period of flux, the uniform was a mix of the British and French military styles, with an English style coat combined with the cap and colors of a blue French uniform.

Japan was still gaining its military identity at this point, and the variation between positions and soldiers was more noticeable, with some opting for the traditional top knot hairstyle, straw sandals, and kimono-style overcoat against the European style uniforms. As the Meiji progressed, these uniforms would change drastically, ultimately representing a hybrid of English Naval, Prussian (Germanic), and French uniforms.

Time Period: Major Influences From the Yuan Period (1271-1368)

Though the traditional Mongolian uniform is primarily used for honor guard situations like accompanying dignitaries, diplomats, and honorable visits, the costume is a reminder to the Mongolian dominance during the age of Ghengis Khan, an era that would culminate in the rule of Kublai Khan in the Yuan Dynasty. The helmet of the uniform is a combination of a “Three Kingdoms”-period Chinese helmet and a pointed Janjin hat. The base layer seems to be a shorter version of the high collar Deel, with embroidery on the sleeve. Over the top is a vest-like garment with spiraling and circular designs, and on the breast there is a gold medallion. Considering the Mongols roamed and ruled throughout Asia over centuries, the mix of eastern and western Asian influences in the traditional dress is indicative of their former domination.

Time Period: 1976-Present

Since the late '30s, Germany was developing camouflage to accent and ultimately replace the solid olive uniforms that were common around the world during that time. In 1976, the Defense Forces, called the Bundeswehr, created the modern version of the Flecktarn—a word that combines the German word for spot—“fleck”—with camouflage—“tarnung." Naturally, the pattern is composed of small groups of dots across a generally five-color camouflage. The pattern went into wide use in Germany in the '90s after the country's reunification, and quickly spread to the militaries of nations like China, Japan, Russia, and Belgium. In a contemporary sense, Nike has used the Flektarn pattern on a few sneakers, including the Air Max 180, and the Air Max 1.