"Force Publique Red and Blue Uniform?" Topic

To my knowledge, the Force Publique (the army that enforced colonial rule in the Belgian Congo) seems to have initially wore blue and red uniforms, and then changed to khaki in WW1. What kind of cloth was used to make the blue and red uniform? For some reason, I keep thinking that it would be wool, but if they're in the jungle, surely that would be ridiculously uncomfortable?

Osprey MAA 379 "Armies in East Africa 1914-1918" suggests in 1914 there was an "old" light blue field uniform blouse (dark blue pants) made of cotton and a dark blue parade uniform made of serge.

Nice variety possible for Belgians WW1 in East Africa. At least 2 different types of material in different shades of blue widely issued. As war progresses some units go khaki and shorts, others remain blue and others are a mixture. Fez headgear also varies. Some red, others with blue covers fading to almost white, others with khaki covers. Some units with/without fez neckcloth. Quaint equipment like St Chamond mule gun, mortars, French and English MGs. Amazingly, movie footage -yes not just stills- has survived showing all this. Especially love the one where a unit of Askari cross a lake on a steamer. Strange feeling seeing the far distant past in Africa come alive. This is a great period waiting to be discovered by wargamers!
Ps there were some actions involving British and Belgian allied forces in the same battle.

The examples of Force Publique uniforms on display in the military museum in Brussels certainly appear too be made of wool.

They were also a dark navy blue not the mid blue you see, for example, on Foundry's models on their website.

link

There is a style of painting where even dark uniforms are painted in bright colours, something to do with the way colour is perceived at a distance? I've never understood it. I think the Foundry figures may be dark blue but are painted in that style.

"There is a style of painting where even dark uniforms are painted in bright colours"

I blame acrylic paint!