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The Charge of the Light Brigade, the gallantry of the Scots Greys, the stalwart stand of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders… few engagements have captured the imagination of historian, artist and poet alike than the Battle of Balaclava.<\/p>\n
But buried beneath the pages of military history and legend of this storied battle lay the following footnotes to sartorial history.<\/p>\n
Commander of the British Forces at Balaclava: Lord Raglan.<\/strong>\u00a0 He sported uniform tunics with a distinctive “drop” seam at the shoulder.\u00a0 To this very day, this unusual construction is known as a raglan sleeve.<\/p>\n Commander of the Light Brigade: Lord Cardigan.<\/strong>\u00a0 Handsome and “well turned out” in uniform or in mufti.\u00a0 His preferred form of attire in the field included a thick wool shawl collared sweater that buttoned down the front and had two lower patch pockets (perfect for storing pipe tobacco, writing material and the like).\u00a0 The garment would forever be remembered as the cardigan sweater.<\/p>\n Commander of the 93rd Highlanders (Argyll & Sutherland): Sir Colin Campbell.<\/strong>\u00a0 In the face of the Russian Cavalry charge, he formed his men into The Thin Red Line and uttered these historic words, “There is no retreat from here, men! You must die where you stand!”\u00a0 He was noted for wearing a long undergarment that had socks attached.\u00a0 After the military he retired to the life of a country Doctor in rural Denton.\u00a0 His “signature” underwear?\u00a0 Lives on as Doctor Denton’s.<\/p>\n Colour Sergeant-Major Grieve of the Scots Greys.<\/strong>\u00a0 Grieve was awarded the pretigious Victoria Cross for uncommon bravery and heroism in the face of the enemy.\u00a0 To make it easier for his men and officers to identify him during the heat of battle, he always wore a bright purple paisley shawl, which stood in marked contrast to the traditional scarlet tunic.\u00a0 This shawl, and subsequently the paisley pattern itself, became known as the grieve<\/em>.\u00a0 And in honor, the Scots Greys are the only Regiment to eschew the traditional Regimental Stripe in favour of the Regimental Paisley.<\/p>\n In addition to the above, the knitted woolen hats (that converted to masks) worn by the Don Cossacks became known as a Balacava.<\/p>\n And it should also be noted, not that it has anything to do with clothing, that Greek mercenaries returning home form the Crimea were treated to celebratory pastries of honey in thin layers of baked phyllo dough… “balacava”… which over time would become known as baklava.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Charge of the Light Brigade, the gallantry of the Scots Greys, the stalwart stand of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders… few engagements have captured the imagination of historian, artist and poet alike than the Battle of Balaclava. But buried … Continue reading