Almost every British soldier wore the signature wool "red coat." Exceptions included the Royal Artillery who wore blue coats and some formations of light infantry and riflemen who wore green.

Individual regiments were distinguished by special colours on the collar, cuff and shoulder straps and buttons adorned with regimental numbers and designs.

Regulation blue-grey trousers were a relatively new element of the British uniform in 1812. Many British soldiers still wore the outdated white breeches and tall black gaiters, however. By the time the army in Canada learned about the change, the men's clothing had already been issued for the year.

Officers wore crimson silk sashes, and other insignia such as epaulettes, to distinguish them from regular soldiers. Rank was indicated by the number and type of sleeve badges.

At the beginning of the war, the regulation headgear was a "stovepipe" shako. This black felt cap was decorated with an ornate brass plate, a cockade and a coloured plume. Towards the end of the war, enlisted men were issued a shorter and more comfortable "Belgic" shako.

Officers in the British Army wore majestic "cocked" hats until 1811 when the regulation headdress was changed to shako type caps adorned with a feather plume and crimson and gold cords. During the War of 1812, British officers wore both of these types of hats.

British soldiers were also issued short boots known as "beef boots," a water canteen, a white haversack for rations and a black knapsack for extra clothing. Winter gear was issued to some troops. It consisted of grey woolen coats, mittens and oilskin covers for shako caps.