This Uniform shows the particular leggings. I've always been curious, what are these made from? What purpose did they serve? Were they simply decorational? Did they help keep a soldier's boots dry or perhaps keeping debris out of the boot?
It is a variant of puttees or pouttees and the intention is to protect the trousers against mud, dust and wear and tear. To some extent it also protects against water.
Instead of supplying the soldiers with long-shafted boots, pouttees were used since the Napoleonic war and onwards to reduce the need to wash and replace trousers. They were often issued as a long band that was wrapped around the leg and was easy to wash and dry in the field should the soldier have a free moment.
Modern mountaineers/walkers etc use similar things called gaiters. They help protect the upper of the boot - keep lower legs and feet warmer - prevent debris from endering the boot (+water), and protect the trousers from excess wear and tear
