An ushanka (Russian: уша́нка ; ) 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, jaw and lower chin from the cold.
The word Ushanka derives from ushi (у́ши), "ears" in Russian.
Historical use
Hats with flexible earflaps made out of fur are found in Russia as well as in Germany and Scandinavia.
During the Russian Civil War, when Aleksandr Kolchak ruled in Siberia, he introduced a winter uniform hat, commonly referred to as kolchakovka , which was basically an ushanka with an extra eye-flap.
The categorization as "Russian Cap" is a result of World War II. During the Winter War with Finland 1939 thousands of Russians died of cold due to organizational failures and inadequate equipment. Reforms were undertaken and the Red Army introduced new winter uniform, which included ushanka to replace budyonovkas . German soldiers started to use this and other gear unofficially, though copies were introduced rather late in the war.
Basic materials
Ushanka s are often made from cheap sheepskin ( tsigeyka , ru:Цигейка), 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 ushanka s was made of wool pile with cloth substrate and cloth top, with the exception of flaps, in which pile was exposed.
Stereotype
Though ushanka s 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.
The Ushanka became a symbol and media icon of Soviet Russia. Photographs of US President Gerald Ford wearing the cap during a 1974 visit to the Soviet Union were seen as 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. The Ushanka hat has now made its way to the United States and is a very popular hat.
See also
- Afghanka
- Telogreika
- Valenki
References
- ^ Mathias Färber: Zweiter Weltkrieg , Unipart-Verlag, Stuttgart 1990, ISBN 3-8122-3001-1, S. 556
Russian Marines Military Winter Fur Hat, Ushanka
This Russian Marines military winter hat will be a great present for a man and will keep you warm for years to come! Origin: Russia Color: Black Material: Soft Faux Fur
Soviet Army Military Winter Fur Hat, Ushanka
This soviet military winter hat will be a great present for a man and will keep you warm for years to come! Origin: Former USSR Color: Black Material: Soft Faux Fur
Mountain Man Hats
All of our Mountain Man hat styles include a genuine long full fur tail. ... related websites for more great products>| Fur Hats & Winter ...
Tundra Gear - Russian Fur Hat "Ushanka", NFL Winter Fur ...
Tundra Gear, online hat stores offers to buy fur hats online, cheap Russian fur hat, winter hats ushanka in USA; custom made fur hats fitted with NFL team & NCAA college football ...
Fur Hat World - Winter Hats- Aviator Hats- Russian Fur ...
Shop for the perfect Winter Hat. Buy a Rabbit Fur Mad Bomber Hat, Aviator Fur Hat, Russian Hat ... Shop direct on FurHatWorld.com and avoid the middle man. Pay up to 75% less ...
fur hats, womens fur hats, winter hats, russian winter ...
Wildthings Fur provides fur hats, womens fur hats, winter hats, russian winter hats, fur mountain man hats, womens fur hats, faux rabbit fur mens hats, fur and hats, russian winter ...
Raccoon Fur Hat - Mountan Man Hat
Find a great selection of top quality Mountain Man Hats for sale at Fur Source. ... Visit these related websites for more great products>| Fur Hats & Winter ...
fur hats, russian winter hats, womens winter flap hats ...
fur hats, russian winter hats, womens winter flap hats, fur caps, fur head bands, Wildthings Fur ... Dakota Coyote Mountain Man Hat
Coyote Mountain Man Hat - Full Coyote Skin
Casual Winter Hats Fashion Fur Hats Womens Russian Hats Womens Trapper Hats ... Norko™ Coyote Fur Mountain Man Hat - Full Coyote Pelt Coyote Fur Mountain Man Hat ...
Winter Style - Winter Hats, Winter Gloves, Winter ...
Fur Hats: Men's Winter Gloves: Fashion Winter Hats: Women's ... For the man who appreciates quality and fashion choose from Russian ushanka hats, Russian fur hats, Mad Bomber hats ...