The uniforms of the Household Cavalry - especially ceremonial - are unique,
and best explained by the combined use of explanations and illustrations.

Men of both Regiments of the Household Cavalry dress similarly, but
quite distinctively, when on non-ceremonial duties, and on active service.

This first section deals with the component parts of the ceremonial dress,
familiar around the world thanks to The Queen's Life Guard, Escorts, and
the many ceremonial parades in which the Household Cavalry participate.

The following are descriptions of
Household Cavalry Breeches, Trousers, Overalls,
Pantaloons, Boots & Spurs, etc

Officers of the Household Cavalry

White Breeches are also known as pantaloons, and are made from buckskin.

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

White Breeches are also known as pantaloons, and are made from buckskin.

Officers of The Life Guards

A trouser-type garment, Overalls are made from dark blue barathea cloth.

It has double 1.5 inch scarlet stripes, with a 1/8 inch scarlet welt
centrally between the band, and a 1/4 inch of dark blue separates
each stripe from the welt.

The overalls are cut with narrow legs, and are from 1.5 inches to 2 inches
longer than ordinary trousers.

They are fastened firmly down over Wellington boots by means of the
leather foot straps, which are secured under the instep.

A fob pocket only is provided on the right side.

Other Ranks of The Life Guards

The Overalls are made of dark blue cloth and are striped Regimentally, as for the Officers.

Officers of The Blues And Royals

The Overalls are as for The Life Guards, except that they have a 2.75 inch
scarlet stripe along each outer seam.

Other Ranks of The Blues And Royals

The Overalls are made of dark blue cloth and are striped Regimentally,
as for the Officers.

Pantaloons

Officers of The Life Guards

No 1 Dress Pantaloons are made of dark blue cloth and are striped Regimentally,
as for overalls.

Other Ranks of The Life Guards

No 1 Dress Pantaloons are made of dark blue cloth and are striped Regimentally,
as for overalls.

Officers of The Blues And Royals

No 1 Dress Pantaloons are made of dark blue cloth and are striped Regimentally,
as for overalls.

Other Ranks of The Blues And Royals

No 1 Dress Pantaloons are made of dark blue cloth and are striped Regimentally,
as for overalls.

Service Dress Breeches

Officers and WOIs of The Life Guards

Service Dress Breeches are made of drab Bedford cord,
with primrose yellow strappings.

Officers and WOIs of The Blues And Royals

Service Dress Breeches are made of dark cavalry twill,
with slate grey strappings.

No 2 Dress Pantaloons

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

No 2 Dress Pantaloons are made of khaki cloth, and have leather strappings.

Service Dress Trousers

Officers and WOIs of the Household Cavalry

Service Dress Trousers are made from khaki barathea, of plain appearance
and without belt loops.

An unusual feature is that 1.75 inch turn-ups are worn.

No 2 Dress Trousers

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

No 2 Dress Trousers are made from khaki barathea, of plain appearance.
No turn-ups are worn.

Jack Boots & Spurs

Officers of the Household Cavalry

Jack Boots are black and plain fronted, of welted construction, with legs.

Calf leather is used for the vamps and counters, and dressed hide for the legs.

The extension on the front of the legs is lined with buckskin.

The uppers, welts, seats and heels are all hand-sewn, and the soles
reinforced with wooden pegs.

Steel tips are fitted to the 1.5-inch high heels.
English bend leather is used for the outsoles.

Officers of The Life Guards

The Spurs, Chains and Buckles for use with Jack Boots are of
the best super nickel, and are assembled to 'V' shape tabs (left and right),
which are 2.75 inches in width, and have 5/8-inch buckling straps
which are produced from light hide, and dyed black.

Officers of The Blues And Royals

The Jack Spurs are of the best super nickel, whilst the chains
and buckles are of brass.

They are assembled to tabs (left and right), which are 2.5 inches in width,
and have 5/8-inch buckling straps which are produced from light hide,
and dyed black.

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

Jack Boots are made of black leather of similar appearance to
the Officers' pattern, but not of such high grade.

There is no leather roll above the spur rest, as for Officers.

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

The Jack Spurs are the 1955 pattern, and are produced from forged steel.

The chains are steel, and are assembled to tabs which are 2.5 inches in width,
and have 5/8-inch buckling straps which are made from light hide, dyed black.

Wellington Boots & Box Spurs

Officers of the Household Cavalry

Wellington Boots are black and plain fronted, of welted construction,
with legs extending just beyond calf height.

The uppers are of best quality box calf leather, with russet calf lining.

Glace kid leather is used for the inside of the top band.

The outsoles are of English bend leather.

Heels are 1 5/8 inches high and are fitted with metal spur box,
which is 2.25 inches in length.

Officers of The Life Guards

Box Spurs for use with Wellington Boots are of Regimental pattern.

The steel spurs are fitted with a tang and spring for insertion into
the heels of the boots.

Officers of The Blues And Royals

Box Spurs for use with Wellington Boots are of Regimental pattern,
but otherwise fit in the same manner as those for The Life Guards.

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

Wellington Boots are made of black leather, and do not fit so close to the leg
as the pattern worn by the Officers.

The heels are fitted with a metal spur box.

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

Box Spurs for use with Wellington Boots are fitted with a tang and spring,
for insertion into the heels of the boots.

Butcher Boots & Spurs

Officers of the Household Cavalry

Butcher Boots are knee boots, and are made from black leather.

Officers of the Household Cavalry

Spurs and Straps for use with Butcher Boots - the spurs are silver plated,
and have black leather straps.

Knee M.S. Boots & Spurs

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

Knee M.S. Boots are made from black leather.

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

Spurs and Straps for use with Knee M.S. Boots - the steel spurs
have black leather straps.

Service Dress Polo Boots & Spurs

Officers and WOIs of The Life Guards

Service Dress Polo Boots are made from brown leather.

They have neither laces nor toecaps.
There is a leather garter at the top of each leg.

Officers and WOIs of The Life Guards

Spurs and Straps for use with Service Dress Polo Boots - the spurs are
silver plated and of Regimental pattern. They have brown leather two-piece straps.

Service Dress Field Boots & Spurs

Officers and WOIs of The Blues And Royals

Service Dress Field Boots are made from brown leather.

The soft legs are stiffened to a depth of 4 to 6 inches from the top, and
laced at the instep with seven to nine pairs of eyelet holes.
The toecaps are plain.

Officers and WOIs of The Blues And Royals

Spurs and Straps for use with Service Dress Field Boots - the spurs are
silver plated and of Regimental pattern.
They have brown leather two-piece straps and a shield.

Service Dress Shoes

Officers and WOIs of the Household Cavalry

Service Dress Shoes are of brown leather, plain in style.

No 2 Dress Shoes

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

No 2 Dress Shoes are of black leather, with toe and heel caps.
They are laced from the instep.

Ankle Boots

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

Ankle Boots are made from black leather to a pattern which was universal
in the British Army for many years, but has since been replaced by
the DMS boot design with the advent of Combat dress.

However, some Regiments still retain ankle boots for certain duties
(Regimental Standing Orders of the Household Cavalry give details
of when these are worn).

DMS Boots

Other Ranks of the Household Cavalry

DMS Boots are made from black leather, and have a similar appearance to ankle boots.

It is the soles, however, which are different - being of a moulded construction.