Redingote (à la Hussarde)

This dress was greatly influenced by military uniforms. The Brandenburg button closure with piping and pom-poms, extending from the collar to the hemline at the front of the dress, originated from the military uniform of the Hussars, the former Hungarian cavalry. This style of closure was widely adopted for women's clothes, and it was used for the front part of Spencers and redingotes. The sleeves with layers of puffs in this dress were also popular, known as Mameluke sleeves. They originated from the Mamelukes, the Egyptian cavalry incorporated into Napoleon's army. Napoleon, who aimed to build a powerful empire, adopted military uniforms that might inspire admiration in order to strengthen the military forces, and those uniforms influenced women's dresses.