Red coat (military uniform)

A "red coat" is an informal term, derived from the distinctive bright red woolen coats worn by soldiers of the British Army, and some units of other armies within the British Empire, from the 17th century to the early 20th century. The term is particularly associated with the British infantry during the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in the context of conflicts like the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

The red color was not originally chosen for camouflage purposes; reasons cited historically include its availability as a relatively inexpensive and easily dyed fabric, and its potential to mask blood stains. Symbolically, the red coats also served to distinguish British soldiers on the battlefield and reinforce a sense of national identity.

While the traditional red coat was largely phased out for active service by the late 19th century in favor of khaki and other camouflage colors, it remains a part of the ceremonial dress of certain regiments within the British Army and is still recognized as a symbol of British military history. The term "redcoat" itself often evokes images of British soldiers from the colonial era.