Sartorial Smackdown -- who looked best on the battlefield?

Huh. War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing... except for some seriously excellent army uniforms.

We've set out to answer the age-old question, does a snappy uniform make a formidable army? Designed to create a sense of unity and strength, the army uniform is an essential and ancient tradition dating back as far as Hannibal and the Spartans. A uniform is designed to instill honour in its wearer.

We've scoured the history books to find most sartorially sophisticated, and occasionally vaguely ridiculous, military uniforms we could lay our eyes on - from the Greco-Turk war of 1897 to the colonial Anglo-Zulu war.

Find the battles and see the uniforms after the break.

Greece vs The Ottoman Empire - The Thirty Days War

The Greco-Turk war kicked off in 1897 and is known as the Thirty Days' War. Fought between the Kingdom of Greece and Ottoman Empire, things got tasty when the majority of people who lived on Crete made it known they fancied a union with Greece. The Greeks were eventually subject to a humiliating defeat.

Sartorial Smackdown: Though the Greek uniform above is now only a ceremonial outfit, people wearing it would have been seen in this war's battlefield, not fighting, but in auxillary roles. Only the Ottoman officers, would have worn the snazzy attire you see above. The heavy jacket may be a flash cut and the colour is bang on-trend but we're not sure the lumbering cotton would help you on the battlefield.

Won the duds duel: The Ottomans

Won the war: The Ottomans

The British vs The Zulu Nation - Anglo-Zulu War

This war was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Empire. A colonial landmark - the war ended the Zulu nation's independence. In January 1879 a British force invaded Zululand, without authorisation. The British won eventually, but bear in mind the British had guns, which is probably cheating.

Satorial Smackdown: Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun - goes the old adage. But not only do they go out in it, they do out in it wearing ridiculously heavy thick cotton redcoat uniforms. Though clearly about as dapper as it gets the redcoat is hardly appropriate for Africa. Whereas the Zulu's traditional, shin feathers and loin-clothes seem more fitting to the African climate, though whether you could get away with it, 'up in da club' is unlikely.

Won the duds duel: The British

Won the war: The British

Sparta vs Rome, The Laconican War

The Laconian War was fought by the double hard Greek city-state of Sparta, you know, where Spartans come from, and an alliance comprising Rome, the Achean League, Pergamum, Rhodes, and Macedon. Eventually, negotiations led to peace on Rome's terms. Though little did they know it was all worth it, because they were destined to star in one of the greatest man-movies of all time.

Sartorial Smackdown: Though many of the belligerents in this conflict wouldn't have worn what we classically know as a uniform, it is certainly known that the Spartan soldiers would have worn a similar uniform to the one you see above. Complete with a metal breastplate and helmet. The Roman's at this point (though a well-oiled military machine) only dealt out uniforms to senior officers, similar to the one above. And yes, they would have been wearing skirts.

Won the duds duel: Rome

Won the war: Rome

Japan vs The Mongol Empire

The Mongol invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281 were major military invasions. Under the command of Kublai Khan the Mongols tried to sieze the Japanese islands but failed massively. The Mongols lost up to 75% of their invading troops and supplies both times on the oceans because of huge storms. Over 130,000 troop perished at sea in the second invasion. Bad luck Kublai.

Sartorial Smackdown: Right, granted not everyone gets to be a Samurai. But if Tom bleeding Cruise can we can right!? I mean clearly there are no height restrictions or anything. And the Samurai attire is without doubt one of the most beautiful and fear inducing uniforms in history. Having said that the Mongols didn't look to shabby either, but let's face it, they're not Samurais.

Won the duds duel: Japan

Won the war: Japan.

The Rebel Alliance vs The Empire - Galactic Civil War

The war was fought between the Galactic Empire and Rebel Alliance, later renamed the New Galactic Republic. The Rebel Alliance eventually wins the Battle of Endor, destroying the second Death Star and the Empire's fleet of ships, killing Darth Vader and Darth Sidious, and freeing most of the Galaxy from the control of the Empire.

Satorial Smackdown: Okay we know, there are hundred of different soldiers, hundreds of different uniforms. If you were in the Rebel Alliance, you probably wouldn't get to wear the same duds as Lando Calrissian - but look, come on, he's got freaking cape! But imagine you did - and we are. Jaina Solo could never resist! Granted Darth Vader was a sharply dressed fella, but you'll never get to wear his kit and who wants to be Stormtrooper for longer than Halloween?

Won the duds duel: The Rebel Alliance

Won the war: The Rebel Alliance

So there you have it - definitive proof that the better your uniform the more likely you are to win the war. Why are we working on big better weapons? And not piling money into snappier fatigues?