Wednesday, 4 September 2024

Excellent reconstruction by Ruben W. Gulbrandsen

 


Attempt on a reconstruction of an subaltern officer in Denmark-Norway, ca. 1705.

In Denmark-Norway, the first "real" regulations on officers dress came in 1707. 

This regulation only regulated the surtout (coat) and stated that henceforth, all officers should dress in the same colour-combination as their regiments regular uniforms, with no gold or silver trimming, with cuffs in velvet rather than wool. 

From 1711, the coats where to be red, but still with their regiments colours in the cuffs and lining. Cuffs still in velvet, and sewn buttonholes in red silk, matching the coat.

Before 1707, officers in Demark-Norway stood free to dress in whatever they pleased, but regimental commanders often laid out their own "rules" on how their officers should dress. 

This was not without issues, and records show that subalterns and lower ranking officers complaining on expensive trimmings etc.

Neither the 1707 or 1711 regulations mentions anything about cut or style of the surtout. But period illustrations seems to indicate that officers in Denmark-Norway leaned towards an english fashion in their cut and style. 

Close trade, diplomatic and military relations with booth Holland and England might also help to explain why officers leaned towards this fashion.

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