The uniforms of the Mexican Army throughout the 19th Century were a
collection of colorful and sometimes gaudy designs. Uniforms differed from
unit to unit, with influences from local officers/officials, Spanish
colonial occupation, and Napoleonic armies, especially French. As Santa
Anna was a great admirer of Napoleon, this should come as no surprise.

For Mexican officers, the jackets were blue, shirts and pants white. Hats
were black and decorated with feather plumes, gold and/or silver trim. The
jackets had great detail, with gold and silver trim at the sleeves,
shoulders, and collars. The only limitation to an officers uniform was his
imagination and money!

Mexican Cavalry tended to have nice uniforms as well, though not as ornate
as those of the officers. For the lancers, red jackets with a green breast
and white straps, blue pants and a black jockey-like cap with a brass front.
Plumes on the caps were not uncommon. For light cavalry (including
presidial troops) the horsemen wore a blue uniform with a black cap/round
brim hat. The light cavalry uniform did not have the gaudiness or ornate
designs seen in elite cavalry units.

For the common/regular Mexican soldado, the uniform he wore had more to do
with what was available than uniformity. Jackets tended to be blue with
white straps, with white shirts and either blue, white, or grey pants.
Shako's were black and some were adorned with brass indentifying the unit.
Shoes were either basic leather or sandals. Some had no shoes at all. It
should also be noted that there are records that indicate some of the
Mexican soldados wore a white uniform with red trim at the collar and cuffs.
This would include a white cover on the shako.

For the Mexican Army, please read The Texas Revolution 1835-36 by Bruce
Marshall, as well as the Osprey Elite #102 Santa Anna’s Mexican Army
1821-1848.