Just curious: were there any Zouave units on either side that continued to wear their unique uniforms throughout the war? Or renewed the uniform style after the war?
I've often heard that most threw them away about their first combat experience....
As
@AUG mentioned, several Zouave units continued to wear their distinctive uniforms throughout the war. The 8th Missouri "American Zouaves" are indeed one of those units. There is, however, some conflicting information concerning their uniforms.
Some sources indicate that they were originally issued typical Zouave dress... short trimmed jacket, fez, baggy red pantaloons, canvas gaiters... you get the picture. Other sources disagree, and indicate that the regiment voted to eschew the pants, fez, and gaiters, and go with a less flashy uniform... short trimmed jacket, gray flannel shirt, Federal issue sky-blue trowsers, and a chasseur's style kepi. All surviving photos show their members in the latter uniform. Whether this represents an 'as mustered' look, or one that evolved over the life of the regiment is still open to some debate.
As for the uniforms themselves, Cpl. Philip Smith indicated that, indeed, there was a difference between their 'made to order' uniforms upon muster, and the, "...fashionable style of Uncle Sam..." which didn't fit as well. By looking at the photographs and details of the only surviving 8th MO Jacket, it seems that their jackets were Schuylkill Arsenal products which would have conformed to Federal sizing guidelines, hence the complaints.
The American Zouaves were the pet project of General Nathaniel Lyons, so I do believe they would have had little problem obtaining replacement Zouave clothing.