[C19fan]

Also, one might add khakis were invented by a British soldier serving in India who got rid of his wool uniform for something more comfortable in that climate.

[Robert A Cook PE]

All designed to make the man more impressive, more masculine (taller, wider shoulders, more “flash” in the uniforms.

As opposed to today’s metrosexual Justin Biebers-look of androgynous drag-queen nothings.

[C19fan]

I have read Beau Brummell is credit with making it fashionable to wear trousers instead of breeches.

[Billthedrill]

Well, mebbe so, mebbe no. Dang it, I find BDU's with boots perfectly comfortable! There was, as well, the Eisenhower jacket for those old enough to remember it. Other than that military chic has pretty much spared the haute fashion scene around here.

Now, you want military fashion, check out Hugo Boss, who designed the Nazi breeches, boots, and trenchcoats that are so famously associated with the San Francisco gay scene. SS, Gestapo, Wehrmacht, you name it, Hugo had it covered (so to speak).

The ancient Greek gods used to fight with edged weapons perfectly nekkid, which does not strike most mortals as a particularly sound idea unless you intend to leave yer danglers as gooey mush on the well-trampled battlefield. Makes for great pottery but they had neither blood transfusions nor anaesthetics back in The Day, so I think I'll pass, thanks. But speaking of the San Francisco gay scene...

[IronJack]

There's also the legend that the buttons on a man's suit jacket sleeve are a relic from Napoleon's Grand Armee. The story is that the General was sick of seeing his men wipe their snotty noses on their sleeves, so he had buttons sewn on to make it more difficult.

Hard to know if there's any truth to it, but it's difficult to explain otherwise ...

[ozzymandus]

Not seeing a lot of Napoleonic uniforms where I live.

[JoeProBono]

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

And the girls love it!

ON LEAVE