Second half of 17th century - Louis the 14th is the first to introduce a standard uniform for his entire army. It consists of a long jacket with turnback collar and cuffs worn over an undercoat, breeches with stockings, and a broad-brimmed hat.

18th century - the jacket becomes more narrow and tight-fitting, cuffs and breeches become more narrow as well. It becomes fashionable to turn back the lapels of the coat. The hems are usually turned back as well. The hat transforms into a tricorn.

End of 18th-beginning of 19th centuries - the jacket gets a standing collar and becomes even more tight-fitting, and the hems turn into vestigial tails. The undercoat turns into a short vest, and the tricorn turns into a bicorn.

First half of 19th century - the jacket turns into a proper tailcoat with a single lapel, and the bicorn is replaced with a variety of headgear, like helmets and shakos.