Development of Horizon Blue Cloth
By late 1914, France needed a new cloth that was economical to produce in huge quantities and less visible on the battlefield. Pure indigo dye was scarce due to wartime shortages. Instead, manufacturers blended blue, white, and black wool fibers together. The result was a pale blue-grey shade, officially called bleu clair (light blue), but soon nicknamed “horizon blue” because it blended with the sky on the horizon. By December 1914, horizon blue cloth had been approved for all future uniform production. Our Horizon Blue fabric retains the same color, it is naturally pigmented, mill dyed, around 14 oz. weight, tight weave, 80% wool & 20 % cotton and natural incipients – no synthetics are blended in.
M1915 Tunic / Capote simplifiée
Simplified, utilitarian cut for mass production produced in horizon blue fabric.
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5-button front.
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Stand-and-fall collar.
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Plain front.
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Produced in horizon blue from early 1915 onward.
Headgear
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Mid-1915: Bonnet de police (soft side cap) issued in horizon blue & Horizon blue Kepi also used. You can choose either in the product selection menue.
Trousers/Breeches/Jodhpurs:
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The famous red garance trousers were replaced in early 1915 by horizon blue breeches (culotte), designed to tuck into puttees or boots.
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Equipment: By 1915, French infantry wore leather belts and pouches (brown leather early, later some canvas webbing supplies, though not as standardized as the British 1908 webbing). We only carry the leather belts.
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Legwear: Wool breeches + puttees/Leg wraps/leggings (bandage-style leggings) to be worn with ankle boots. Ankle boots are not a part of this offer but may be purchased separately on this page.
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Insignia: Collar patches (pattes de collet) in branch colors indicated regiment and specialty. You can specify these by email/WhatsApp/”Custom Tailoring” button on the product selection section.
You can purchase the entire best buy set at this page or individual articles. Custom tailoring/alterations are free of charge. Pictures of each article and their specifications are provided in the product highlight section.
M1915 Greatcoats/overcoats and M12/17 boots are also available separately on this page but they are not a part of this offer.
