Dear Confused,
Well, if I may interject again…
>>Also the French regulations were less extensive at the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars<<
Utter rubbish!
Oh sorry, umm that appears to be in error!
The 'French' regulations were thorough and complete in both 1786-1791-1792 respectively. Ad-hoc were volunteers and early legere.
Thus, those regs carried through until someone of high importance, decided, lets say interferred with the norm, and due to some shady advice from who knows where, suggested a portion of the army be dressed in a simpler, plainer white cloth.
Think of it as an add-on to a massive army already in action. Certain units were 'detailed' and some got samples; some got completed battalions it is inferred; but no-one has ever produced a positive report that entire regiments (ie 3-4 war battalions) got them. Some units not in the 'detail' also received them, while others did not. Go figure!
On the 'Colonels' choice- yes a myriad of reasons led to a myriad of colours. The first and most logical is what was in stores already made- old issue; then captured cloth, material or uniforms; adaption of new features to an old form (ie plumes, cords and company insignia- pompoms etc.).
What happened in Paris didn't always reproduce a 1000km away in central 'Germany' where a large proportion of 'La Grande Armée' spent better of 3 calendar years cantoned and in garrisons (1805-07) while the boys in Paris got more fashionable, tighter and better home 'support'.
So___ uniforms didn't get thrown away; they wore out; bandsmen and tete-du-colonne probably even less. Unless a wholesale change were made (at some expense and that MAY have included personal cost of officers too) then a 'unit' didn't change overnight.
Remember the 'Guard' complained about wearing new uniforms for parades in Paris (1803/04) but then had to hand them in to the stores a day later!?
Various and multiple uniforms, models and of course equipment were in simultaneous use in differing theatres and campaigns. The same variety existed amongst all corps, perhaps the least affected being the cherished 'Garde' due to their quite prominent public relations role around Paris and other imperial domains. (And this goes for line units of the First Military District- Paris and Versailles etc. who were issued new uniforms to make the best impression on public and foreigners alike).
On the research side:-
The 'Redux' thread again carries a lt of the history and a few
gems of knowledge that probably can't or won't be repeated until the book of the web site comes out.
TMP link
We also covered this in your previous thread:- TMP link .
Plus:- TMP link .
regards+
dave+