Uniforms - The 7th Hussars and The 4th Hussars

Hussar Dress During The First Empire

Below is a description of the basic orders of dress for hussar regiments, in regards to the different combinations of headdress, legwear, and tunics as addressed by the regulations set forth for la Grande Armee. It should be noted that based on the circumstances at any given moment, the regulations were not always strictly adhered to. Variations in dress appeared based on supply, time of season, and a regiment’s own practices. Still, whenever possible, hussar regiments tried to keep an orderly appearance if for no other reasons than to save certain pieces of uniform from being damaged and also to make the cavalier more comfortable. Having the funds to do so, officers often did as they pleased.

Tenue d’ecurie (stable dress)

Headgear: bonnet de police
Tunic: veste d’ecurie (stable jacket)
Legwear: pantalon d’ecurie (undyed cloth trousers)

Tenue de cantonnement (Barracks dress)

Headgear: bonnet de police
Tunic: Dolman
Legwear: Charivari (campaign trousers)

Tenue de campagne (campaign dress)

Headgear: Shako or Colback
Tunic: Dolman (in winter, the pelisse)
Legwear: Charivari

Grande Tenue (Parade dress)

Headgear: Shako or Colback dressed with plume and cords
Tunic: Dolman with slung pelisse
Legwear: Culotte Hongroise (Hungarian breeches)

Tenue de ville (town dress)

Headgear: bonnet de police (shako or colback could be worn)
Tunic: Dolman
Legwear: Culotte Hongroise

Tenue de societe (Officers*)

Headgear: Chapeau
Tunic: l’Habit long or dolman
Legwear: Cotton breeches with stockings and buckled shoes
*Rank and file generally did not wear Tenue de societe.

Hussar uniform evolved from the ethnic dress of The Hungarian Hussars.

Below are examples of Hussar Dress during The First Empire. It is impossible to show all the subtle differences between all the Hussar Regiments and the different Orders of Dress.