Cossacks are a special ethnic group, which in Russia is geographically concentrated mainly in the southern territories. At the same time, the Cossacks are united not only by common ethnic roots and the region of residence, but also by the features of their appearance.
Cossacks as an ethnos
The ethnic group of Cossacks, in addition to the peculiarities of the way of life, settlements and other distinctive characteristics, was united by a common cause: most of the male Cossacks who reached adulthood were busy protecting the lands that are the territory of Russia. This left its mark on the historically formed typical Cossack costume, which, with some changes, has survived to this day.
Almost every detail of a man's suit, which is a clear distinguishing feature of belonging to the category of Cossacks, had not only aesthetic, but also purely practical significance. So, the basis of this costume was made up of wide trousers, in which it was convenient to sit on a horse, and a shirt, which was sewn mainly from silk, since insects did not start on it. At the same time, the Cossacks were the first class in Russia, whose representatives began to sew stripes on their trousers - longitudinal stripes on the sides, usually having a red color. This has become one of the distinguishing features that make it possible to identify a Cossack sitting on a horse from a distance.
The traditional outerwear of the Cossacks was a so-called hoodie - an object similar in cut to a Caucasian cloak, but made not of animal skins, but of felted cloth: water or snow rolled down on it, leaving the clothes dry, and in addition, such clothes, in unlike leather, it did not crack under the influence of frost, which happened in the habitat of the Cossacks.
A special role in the costume of the Cossacks was played by a headdress, which in most cases was a papakha - a cylindrical hat, the side part of which was most often made of astrakhan fur, and the upper part of colored or embroidered fabric. In addition to protecting the head of the Cossack from low temperatures and precipitation, the hat was often used to store especially valuable things, for example, documents that were hidden behind its lapel.
At the same time, in the course of the historical development of this ethnic community in Russia and abroad, several main groups of Cossacks were formed, each of which had its own distinctive features in terms of clothing, lifestyle and other characteristics. So, the most famous among them are the Don Cossacks, Kuban Cossacks and other groups. For example, the Zaporozhye Cossacks wore the so-called oseledets - a long forelock left on a clean-shaven head.
Cossacks as shoes
Another meaning of the word "Cossacks" is specific, mainly men's shoes. It was invented in the XV-XVI centuries and became widespread as equestrian shoes in various countries of the world, for example, in Spain, the USA and others. At the same time, the Cossacks have survived to this day in an almost unchanged form: they are traditionally made of rough leather, have a pointed toe and a beveled heel. The standard height of these shoes is up to the middle of the ankle, and its rear part is now equipped with special straps that serve as a decorative replacement for the spurs that were previously located in this place.
