Battledress

Battledress, is a type of uniform used as combat uniforms, as opposed to dress uniforms or formal uniform worn at parades and functions. In American English, the term fatigues are often used, originally being a term for soldiers' work uniforms. The battledress may be either monochrome (often a shade of green or brown) or in a camouflage pattern. Contrary to dress uniforms, the battledress is usually made from cotton (or in modern times a cotton blend), and to a more loose and comfortable cut. British forces in India in the mid 19th century was the first to use drab cotton uniforms for battle. The first purpose-made and widely issued camouflage fabric was for half-shelters by the Italian Army after the First World War. Germany was the first to use such shelter fabric for uniforms for their paratroopers, and by the war's end both various German as well as the older Italian fabric was widely used for camouflage uniforms. Most nations developed camouflage uniforms during the Second World War, though in many cases they were issued widely only among "elite" units.