USHANKA

An '''ushanka''' (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 from the cold. In the English-speaking world, it is referred to as a '''shapka''' (шáпкa), from the Russian language word for "hat".^[1] ''Ushanka'' literally translates as "ear-flaps hat".
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 is common throughout China, North Korea, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. It is possible that Russians adopted this design from Mongols during the Middle Age Mongol invasion of Russia . ''Ushanka''s are also seen in American cities like Chicago, Illinois during cold winter months, especially in neighborhoods that have a sizeable East European immigrant population. ''Ushanka''s are common part of the winter uniforms of police forces and militaries in temperate countries, such as Russia and Canada.
It is not considered masculine among some Russian men to wear the ear flaps down, though a stereotypical garbage man is usually portrayed wearing his ''ushanka'' with flaps untied, one pointing down and one up.
They are often made from rabbit fur and muskrats, though other animals, such as wolves or dogs, are not uncommon, with particularly fine examples being made of fox, marten, or high-quality sheepskin. Artificial fur hats are also manufactured, presently made frequently for sale to tourists. Artificial fur hats were sometimes referred to as "fish fur"Zaloga, Steven J. ''Red Army of the Great Patriotic War 1941-5''. Osprey Publishing, 1989. ISBN 0850459397. p. 43.
since the fur did not come from any recognizable animal.
In 1991, with the fall of the Soviet Union came the first wave of commercially imported Russian winter hats into the United States. Despite their warmth, the hats haven't received widespread user adoption in the States. However, each winter season more and more hats are used in high fashion editorials. A US firm, Tundra Gear, has attempted to reposition the ushanka as a "football hat" by offering up faux fur versions of the hat in multiple colors and accessorizing the ushankas with licensed NFL, NHL and collegiate insignias.

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See also

★ Afghanka

★ Telogreika

★ Bushlat

★ Shinel

★ Valenki

Sources

1. Oxford English Dictionary