Flared trousers in addition to a vest create a recognizable at first glance image of a sailor. But why do sailors wear such trousers, and not, for example, skinny ones? Where did this form come from, for what reason was it introduced? Do such trousers have any practical features that are relevant specifically for sailors, useful for them in practice? Why did this style appear precisely in the framework of the naval uniform?
If you look at all the nuances more deeply, some things will become apparent. These trousers appeared in the form of sailors in many countries of the world for a reason.
History of flared trousers
Flared pants really come from the fleet, are an integral part of marine traditions. Sailors, extended downwards, were worn even in the days of sailing ships. According to traditions and norms, the extension down on the trousers began from the hip, and the name of such clothes comes from the French word bell - cloche. Despite the French origin of this name, officially such clothing was introduced first in the Navy of America, this happened in 1810. In Russia, they switched to this form a little later, and trousers of this cut were called not only flares, but also pipes. Before that, sailors usually wore wide canvas or cotton pants.
The practical component of flared trousers
There is no completely accurate version of the origin of these trousers, however, all researchers are inclined to believe that this form was not chosen by chance, but for practical reasons. This is an exceptionally comfortable cut, which allows sailors to conveniently, without unnecessary problems, carry out their daily duties.Pants provide mobility, the ability to engage in physical work, and at the same time easily roll up, if necessary, for example, tear off the deck without wetting them. Pants can be rolled up, going ashore from an incompletely moored boat. They are extremely handy if you need to climb the mast.
The work of a sailor is always associated with the risk of falling into the water, being in the sea element. Clothing should provide maximum opportunities for survival in this case. Flared pants show their best side in this situation. If you need to immediately get rid of clothes, so as not to go to the bottom, you can remove these pants directly through the shoes. The old type of fastener called a lapel, as well as a flap valve in the front, ensured that clothes were free even in water, and these pants could be removed in seconds. Other items of clothing were also designed for this, the marine jacket has a wide neckline, it is easily removed over the head, and the shoes usually had no lacing, but rubber inserts (after the invention of the rubber vulcanization process in 1839), which also simplified the release from them.
Interesting fact: sailors were proud of their form, not only its practical qualities, but also its beauty. Pieces of lead were sewn into the flared trousers when going ashore on the lower part of the trouser legs - while the trouser legs were inflated in the wind, they fluttered beautifully. However, it was punishable, it was possible to get a reprimand from the authorities. These actions were equated with damage to the form.
The history of flares in the Russian fleet
Flared trousers did not always appear in a navy uniform. At the end of the 19th century, the Russian fleet already featured straight, not too wide trousers made of black cloth, or woolen. After all, sailboats gradually went into oblivion, the specifics of the seaman’s work became different, because of this the form began to change. However, soon the wide trousers returned again - in 1909 they became fashionable already in a civilian environment. Soon they returned to the fleet, but already in the officer environment and in schools, becoming for the most part the property of young people. An ordinary sailor did not have the right to wear them or alter standard straight trousers. But immediately after the February Revolution, the situation changed again - each sailor considered it his duty to alter trousers for flare, or to acquire those.
This was a counteraction to the old system, and as is usual in such cases, enthusiasm sometimes went beyond all reasonable limits, trousers became immensely wide. Flared pants with a doubled activity began to be worn by civilians, sailors - anarchists, on the other hand, considered them an obligatory part of their uniforms.
Pants flared today
In the modern fleet of the Russian Federation, flared trousers are not worn, there is no such element in uniform. But there is a convenient and practical form with pants of standard cut, medium width, which is optimally suited to the current conditions in which sailors serve.
Thus, flared pants appeared during the time of sailing. This cut attracted its practicality, as well as the ability to quickly remove in the event of a shipwreck, falling into the water.Flared pants are beautiful and comfortable, however today they are not used as an element of the naval form, appearing from time to time only in the framework of civilian fashion.
