the clothing was made back then to be cheap and practical for the most part compared to Napoleonic Uniforms.
Oooooh no no. I can assure you that they tried to make the uniforms as cheap as they could. Including paying people china-wages and getting awfully cheap wool. The lining on the edges of the wool is there not just for decoration - The wool would tear easily if it wasn't there.The only difference is that they were, as you said, more complicated and they weren't machine made due to...lack of machines.
Looks good for a side-impression, I agree. No use in spending a mountain of cash on something you'll just use a few times. I wish it as easy (and as useful) to start something extra here.
So you people got cannons too?