Russian vest's birthday

In Russia there are unofficial holidays that are especially loved by the people. This can be considered the birthday of the Russian vest, which falls on August 19. This is a holiday that allows you to remember the merits of the Russian fleet, to feel the power and steadfastness of the Russian spirit. A vest, or simply a vest, is a body shirt made of knitwear. It has a color in the form of alternating transverse blue and white stripes. In Russia, the shirt is supplied to paratroopers and sailors. Sometimes it is called the “sea soul”, because it symbolizes the courage and fortitude of sailors. French fishermen were the first to wear vests. To prevent evil spirits on the high seas from taking their lives, they tried to look like they were already dead. A shirt with black and white stripes helped them look like skeletons. Some believe that the vest appeared when the sailing fleet began to develop. To see a sailor from afar against the backdrop of the sails or to successfully search for him overboard in case of a fall, such clothing with alternating stripes was invented. On long sea voyages, men did not hesitate to crochet striped shirts themselves. French sailors wear vests with 21 stripes: this equates to the number of significant Napoleonic victories. Their English colleagues have shirts with 12 stripes, equal to the number of ribs in a person. The Russian vest contains from 33 to 52 stripes, their number depends on the build of the person wearing it. The striped shirt came to Russia from Holland in the 19th century, when it was considered fashionable to wear a vest and flared trousers. Initially, the stripes were sewn on by the shirt owners themselves. This type of clothing was considered illegal. On August 19, 1874, a decree was signed establishing uniforms in the Russian Navy. The shirt, made of cotton and wool, protected from cold and heat, dried quickly and did not require special care. Clothes with alternating blue and white lines in color were in harmony with the St. Andrew's flag. However, the colors of the stripes sometimes changed depending on the owner’s affiliation with one or another formation. There were white-green and red-white vests. Until the 20th century, white stripes were about 4 times wider than blue stripes. Modern vests are made of cotton, which ensures that the clothing adjacent to the body is hypoallergenic and hygroscopic. St. Petersburg especially celebrates this historical date. The city on the Neva hosts all sorts of events to mark the holiday. The parks organize exhibitions demonstrating the history of the vest, competitions between former and current sailors, and drawing competitions. For those who served in the navy, this day is an occasion to meet with colleagues, and for others - to think about the past and present greatness of the Russian state.