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Ushanka
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An ushanka is a Russian fur cap with ear flaps that can be tied up to the crown of the cap, or tied at the chin to protect the ears from the cold. Ushanka literally translates as "ear-flaps hat", from "ushi"
, "ears" in Russian.
with flexible earflaps made out of fur are to be found in Russia as well as in Germany and Scandinavia. The categorization as "Russian Cap" is a result of World War II.
During the Winter War with Finland 1939 thousands of Russians died of hunger and cold due to organizational failures and lacking equipment.
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An ushanka is a Russian fur cap with ear flaps that can be tied up to the crown of the cap, or tied at the chin to protect the ears from the cold. Ushanka literally translates as "ear-flaps hat", from "ushi"
, "ears" in Russian.
Historical Use
Hats with flexible earflaps made out of fur are to be found in Russia as well as in Germany and Scandinavia. The categorization as "Russian Cap" is a result of World War II.
During the Winter War with Finland 1939 thousands of Russians died of hunger and cold due to organizational failures and lacking equipment. Reforms were undertaken and the Red Army introduced new winter clothing as well as a refurbished fur hat based on the Finnish example.
Instead of the thin, pyramid-like (felt) revolutionary budyonovka, which didn't allow a helmet to be worn and presented the soldier as an easy markable target, Ushanka allowed the wearing of a helmet . German soldiers started to use this and other gear unofficially , though copies were introduced rather late in the war.
Basic Materials
Ushankas are often made from cheap sheepskin (tsigeyka, :ru:???????), rabbit or muskrat fur, though artificial fur hats are also manufactured. Artificial fur has sometimes been referred to as "fish fur"
since the material has no relation to any real fur. The simplest "fish fur" of ushankas was made of wool pile with cloth substrate and cloth top, with the exception of flaps, in which pile was exposed.
Similar to the Trenchcoat, military and civil versions of the Uschanka grew popular in civil use as well. Among Russian middle class, ushankas are often made from more expensive furs like arctic fox or mink. As Russian men sometimes tend to show their virility by not using the earflaps, some hats are often made purely for appearance, their ear flaps a sewn-on decoration, rather than functional element ( also called "Obmanka" ).
Stereotype
Though ushankas are a distinctly Russian hat (indeed, the stereotypical Russian is seen to wear one) the wearing of fur caps of similar design was relatively common throughout China, North Korea, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
Ushankas are also seen in American cities during cold winter months, especially in cities that have a sizeable East European immigrant population. Ushankas are common part of the winter uniforms of police forces and militaries in countries with cold climates, such as Russia and Poland.
The Ushanka became a symbol and media icon of Soviet Russia. Gerald Ford wearing the cap during a 1974 visit to Russia a possible sign of Détente. In 1991, with the fall of the Soviet Union came the first wave of commercially imported Russian winter hats into the United States. Due to their warmth, the hats are beginning to receive some user adoption in the States.
See also
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