The Russian telnyashka, a white undershirt striped in various colors, is the conventional uniform garment of the Russian naval troops. Dating back to the era of Imperial Russia’s fleet of the 19 century, the telnyashka has come a long way to becoming a famous fashion trend and a cultural symbol.
© Photo : KinoPoiskBeyond the navy, the telnyashka gained its casual popularity due to resorts of the French Riviera. Coco Chanel took great inspiration from the striped uniform of Brittany sailors and fishermen and in turn created a "marine" collection.
Above: A shot from the movie "Coco Chanel".
Above: A shot from the movie "Coco Chanel".
Beyond the navy, the telnyashka gained its casual popularity due to resorts of the French Riviera. Coco Chanel took great inspiration from the striped uniform of Brittany sailors and fishermen and in turn created a "marine" collection.
Above: A shot from the movie "Coco Chanel".
Above: A shot from the movie "Coco Chanel".
© Sputnik / Valeriy MelnikovThe telnyashka is believed to be the trademark uniform worn by the Russian Navy, the Russian Airborne Troops (VDV) and the Russian Naval Infantry.
Above: Russian paratroopers before a parade on the Red Square during an event devoted to the 84th anniversary of VDV's formation.
Above: Russian paratroopers before a parade on the Red Square during an event devoted to the 84th anniversary of VDV's formation.
2/12
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
The telnyashka is believed to be the trademark uniform worn by the Russian Navy, the Russian Airborne Troops (VDV) and the Russian Naval Infantry.
Above: Russian paratroopers before a parade on the Red Square during an event devoted to the 84th anniversary of VDV's formation.
Above: Russian paratroopers before a parade on the Red Square during an event devoted to the 84th anniversary of VDV's formation.
© Sputnik / Petr MalinovskiyDepending on the branch of troops of the Russian Armed Forces, telnyashkas can have stripes of several colors. For instance, black stripes distinguish the Naval Infantry, and light blue stripes are for the VDV paratroopers.
Above: Boys in the classes of a children's inland navigation company coterie.
Above: Boys in the classes of a children's inland navigation company coterie.
3/12
© Sputnik / Petr Malinovskiy
Depending on the branch of troops of the Russian Armed Forces, telnyashkas can have stripes of several colors. For instance, black stripes distinguish the Naval Infantry, and light blue stripes are for the VDV paratroopers.
Above: Boys in the classes of a children's inland navigation company coterie.
Above: Boys in the classes of a children's inland navigation company coterie.
© Sputnik / Yuriy SomovThe telnyashka came to Russia in 1874. The idea was proposed by Prince Konstantin Romanov, a connoisseur of naval esthetics. Initially, telnyashkas were made of half wool and half paper.
Above: Seamen doing their morning exercise aboard a ship.
Above: Seamen doing their morning exercise aboard a ship.
4/12
© Sputnik / Yuriy Somov
The telnyashka came to Russia in 1874. The idea was proposed by Prince Konstantin Romanov, a connoisseur of naval esthetics. Initially, telnyashkas were made of half wool and half paper.
Above: Seamen doing their morning exercise aboard a ship.
Above: Seamen doing their morning exercise aboard a ship.
© Sputnik / Vitaliy AnkovThe history of the now-famous striped uniform began in 1850 when company Saint James produced the first telnyashkas. They were made of sheep wool and the use of a sewing technique which was long kept secret.
Above: Celebrations marking Russian Navy Day at Russia's Far East port of Vladivostok.
Above: Celebrations marking Russian Navy Day at Russia's Far East port of Vladivostok.
5/12
© Sputnik / Vitaliy Ankov
The history of the now-famous striped uniform began in 1850 when company Saint James produced the first telnyashkas. They were made of sheep wool and the use of a sewing technique which was long kept secret.
Above: Celebrations marking Russian Navy Day at Russia's Far East port of Vladivostok.
Above: Celebrations marking Russian Navy Day at Russia's Far East port of Vladivostok.
© Sputnik / Vitaliy AnkovFor Brittany fishermen, the telnyashka was a real catch. It was light and comfortable and protected them from the cold, wind and water. Then, French sailors also began to wear the striped uniform.
Above: A striped vest festival at Sportivnaya Harbor in Vladivostok during the celebration of Youth Day.
Above: A striped vest festival at Sportivnaya Harbor in Vladivostok during the celebration of Youth Day.
6/12
© Sputnik / Vitaliy Ankov
For Brittany fishermen, the telnyashka was a real catch. It was light and comfortable and protected them from the cold, wind and water. Then, French sailors also began to wear the striped uniform.
Above: A striped vest festival at Sportivnaya Harbor in Vladivostok during the celebration of Youth Day.
Above: A striped vest festival at Sportivnaya Harbor in Vladivostok during the celebration of Youth Day.
© Sputnik / Dmitry AstakhovInitially, contrast stripes were introduced to make sailors visible during operations with the sail high on masts. Then, stripes turned into a tradition.
Above: October 11, 2008. Then-Russian President and Supreme Commander Dmitry Medvedev aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier.
Above: October 11, 2008. Then-Russian President and Supreme Commander Dmitry Medvedev aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier.
7/12
© Sputnik / Dmitry Astakhov
Initially, contrast stripes were introduced to make sailors visible during operations with the sail high on masts. Then, stripes turned into a tradition.
Above: October 11, 2008. Then-Russian President and Supreme Commander Dmitry Medvedev aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier.
Above: October 11, 2008. Then-Russian President and Supreme Commander Dmitry Medvedev aboard the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier.
© Sputnik / SvetFormerly, sailors used to needlepoint telnyashkas themselves. The process eased their nerves and helped pass the time.
Above: A seaman dancing the Yablochko dance.
Above: A seaman dancing the Yablochko dance.
8/12
© Sputnik / Svet
Formerly, sailors used to needlepoint telnyashkas themselves. The process eased their nerves and helped pass the time.
Above: A seaman dancing the Yablochko dance.
Above: A seaman dancing the Yablochko dance.
© AP Photo / Frank Franklin IIMany famous people like to wear striped shirts, including Kurt Cobain, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, James Dean and Henrie Matisse. In the 1990s renowned French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier created several prêt-a-porter blue-striped collections.
Above: Naomi Campbell wears a navy and white sailor striped knit jersey long dress at the Tommy Hilfiger spring 2005 show in New York.
Above: Naomi Campbell wears a navy and white sailor striped knit jersey long dress at the Tommy Hilfiger spring 2005 show in New York.
9/12
© AP Photo / Frank Franklin II
Many famous people like to wear striped shirts, including Kurt Cobain, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, James Dean and Henrie Matisse. In the 1990s renowned French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier created several prêt-a-porter blue-striped collections.
Above: Naomi Campbell wears a navy and white sailor striped knit jersey long dress at the Tommy Hilfiger spring 2005 show in New York.
Above: Naomi Campbell wears a navy and white sailor striped knit jersey long dress at the Tommy Hilfiger spring 2005 show in New York.
© Sputnik / Sergey ErmokhinThe idea to make the telnyashka part of the VDV uniform was promoted by Vasly Margelov, who was commander of the Soviet Airborne Troops in 1954-1959 and 1961-1979. For the first time, VDV troops wore telnyashkas during the Soviet military invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. On July 26, 1969, the Soviet Defense Ministry issued a decree making the telnyashka the official uniform of VDV troops.
Above: A former paratrooper during Airborne Troops Day celebrations in St. Petersburg.
Above: A former paratrooper during Airborne Troops Day celebrations in St. Petersburg.
10/12
© Sputnik / Sergey Ermokhin
The idea to make the telnyashka part of the VDV uniform was promoted by Vasly Margelov, who was commander of the Soviet Airborne Troops in 1954-1959 and 1961-1979. For the first time, VDV troops wore telnyashkas during the Soviet military invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. On July 26, 1969, the Soviet Defense Ministry issued a decree making the telnyashka the official uniform of VDV troops.
Above: A former paratrooper during Airborne Troops Day celebrations in St. Petersburg.
Above: A former paratrooper during Airborne Troops Day celebrations in St. Petersburg.
© Sputnik / V. Marikovskiy On August 19, Russia celebrates Day of the Russian Telnyashka. The holiday is not official but quiet popular across the country, especially in St. Petersburg.
Above: Boarding school pupils examining the scenery aboard the Moskva icebreaker.
Above: Boarding school pupils examining the scenery aboard the Moskva icebreaker.
11/12
© Sputnik / V. Marikovskiy
On August 19, Russia celebrates Day of the Russian Telnyashka. The holiday is not official but quiet popular across the country, especially in St. Petersburg.
Above: Boarding school pupils examining the scenery aboard the Moskva icebreaker.
Above: Boarding school pupils examining the scenery aboard the Moskva icebreaker.
© Sputnik / A. BelousovThere is a saying popular among navy troops: "We are few in numbers, but we wear telnyashkas!"
Above: A sailor is taming a bear cub on deck.
Above: A sailor is taming a bear cub on deck.
12/12
© Sputnik / A. Belousov
There is a saying popular among navy troops: "We are few in numbers, but we wear telnyashkas!"
Above: A sailor is taming a bear cub on deck.
Above: A sailor is taming a bear cub on deck.