It can be said that Napoleon Bonaparte was a commander, and a politician but, in addition, he could be regarded as a fashion leader. Clothes, or at least a choice of personal appearance, was something much more for him—it was power and image manipulation. Napoleon also played an important role in the development of men’s fashion and some aspects of women’s fashion across Europe, by the way he wore his outfit.
1. Military Attire
Military uniform was one of Napoleon’s most popular attire. His uniforms were rich in gold embroidery, epaulets, and bright color sashes; his uniforms were designed to give him a military-like look to make him appear more authoritative. In how his suits fitted him he used high collars and tailored cuts to make him look tall on the battlefields and during important ceremonies. His flame bicorne hat was always worn sideways, especially on his head, the hat gained status as a symbol of his reign and his leadership.
2. Military Uniforms
As for the military, Napoleon’s uniforms were conceived with the same love for detail, military efficiency, and hierarchy being a passion of the man. civilian clothes As a civilian, Napoleon was equally concerned with his civilian garments. He preferred pants with high-waist, jackets, with some accessories such as velvet collars or elaborate cravats. This is evidenced by the detail in his suits and more importantly his choice of fabrics including silk and velvet in a bid to look and dress like a king. Royal blue and deep crimson would often be worn at night; though these bright colors were allowed in courts and diplomatic dinners.
3. Fashion of Napoleon for Women
Although Napoleon’s impact could not be considered as very large, it was not only males who felt it. His wife, Joséphine, Empress of France, made a great contribution to the popularity of the female high-waisted Empire style. This design was rather smooth and looked like a return to the spirit of ancient Greece and Rome: the lines were rather simple and the fabrics were loose which was in stark contrast to tight corsets and heavy stuff that dominated the previous century. He preferred such style, and this contributed to the spread of this style making it part of what is referred to as the Napoleonic style.
4. Legacy in Fashion
In this vein, Napoleon gave style great importance in his long process of shaping his persona and it remains today. It remained an ornament of fashion in both male and female costumes and remained the major trends of fashion in the nineteenth century.
Napoleon realized the importance of image and employed fashion as a strategy in reinforcing his persona. Whether in war or in peace time diplomacy, his choices were not of a man who pays little attention to details and the communication that mode of dressing sends. His influence in fashion passed on to the next generation’s designers and his suits signify power and style to date.
Photo Credit: Google
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