Political Fashion

Politics has a very strong influence on fashion. Russian political fashion has changed dramatically over the time and strongly influenced cultural development of the population. Let’s delve a little more into Soviet Union and Russian political fashion history that differs a lot from the other countries.

Today, there is an opinion that in the past the Soviet leadership dictated fashion for ordinary citizens whereas the Russian – for the elite. Many think that according to the style of clothing prevailing among the political elite, it is possible to recognize the political and economic situation in the country. In the West, corporate style exists as a kind of constant that does not obey any fashion trends for the past 50-60 years. This testifies to the constancy and stability of political and economic institutions.

In magazines and books devoted to the history of the USSR, it is possible to find photos that demonstrate meetings between Western and Soviet delegations. In such photos, the contrast between the styles of clothing of the two delegations is striking. The Soviet leadership was usually dressed in wide Oxford trousers, baggy double-breasted jackets with huge padded shoulders. As for Americans they were dressed out of time – looking like they were ready to run for the President.

On the picture above are depicted Soviet politician Joseph Stalin (first from the left) and 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman (in the middle). The difference in the two leader’s outfits is very noticeable. For Soviet Union leader’s it was important to have shoulder straps and some other symbols that differ the country’s leaders from others.

Perhaps there is no country in which the fashion of the twentieth century developed in such abnormal conditions, which had to develop in the USSR. The Soviet leadership tried to use this area of public life for its own ideological purposes, which left a certain imprint on the cultural development of the population.

A distinctive feature of the style of the Soviet leadership was that almost every time the country’s leader changed, the fashion in the country changed.

Lenin’s cap

Despite his noble origin, Vladimir Lenin dressed like a proletarian. A dark jacket in a simple style, a vest, and a cap that became a symbol of the victory of the Bolsheviks. Following the leader of the proletariat, the entire elite began to wear such caps. It seemed that the fashion for caps died with Lenin. However, it came back to Russian fashion recently but without any new or old subtext or meaning.

Stalin and his french jacket

After replacing Lenin, Stalin also changed the political fashion in the country. Caps with a star were replaced by Lenin’s caps. It is said that Joseph Stalin wore his caps with extreme care and as they wore out, designers were making a new one for him. Stalin also introduced the fashion for English French. High leather boots and a military jacket became almost the uniform of the political bosses of that time, especially during the Eastern Front.

Khrushchev’s thaw

During the alleviation of the regime of certain political freedoms which calls the Khrushchev’s thaw, the life of the country has changed significantly as well as the style of the country. Civilian suits were back in fashion They were a bit baggy, with huge overhead shoulders. Khrushchev also introduced the fashion for hats (felt hats in winter and straw hats in summer), which disappeared only in the late 80’s. The last leader of the country who wore hats was Mikhail Gorbachev.

Leonid Brezhnev

Leonid Brezhnev was conservative, which distinguished him from all his predecessors. Brezhnev did not change his habits and never pursued fashion trends. The politician’s jackets always had three or four buttons, and not a button less. Brezhnev was the first leader of the country who wore sunglasses. Moreover, he was first Soviet politician who started wearing informal clothes.

Michail Gorbachev and his wife

The wife of the first Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, Raisa, was distinguished by her love of fashionable things. She became one of the first style icons for women in the USSR and made a certain revolution in the Russian fashion of her time. She was buying clothes in the best fashion houses in Paris, Milan and New York.

Mikhail Gorbachev himself was less demanding. He preferred clothes of native production and due to high-quality fabrics, he always looked elegant. A distinctive element of his wardrobe was a hat made of seal fur (picture above).

Yeltsin in a tuxedo

Boris Yeltsin, like his predecessor, at the beginning of his reign preferred native costumes. Yeltsin is the first Soviet and then Russian politician to wear a tuxedo. This happened in 1994, at a meeting with the English Queen in the Kremlin.

Vladimir Putin

Today, Putin is probably one of the most stylish politicians not only in Russia, but also in the West. His single-breasted jackets from Brioni are considered the official costume supplier in the Kremlin. Putin’s costumes are democratic and casual.

the President’s clothes always comply with Protocol. At informal events, Putin often appears in black turtlenecks and pilot jackets. His noticeable fashion detail is the watch on his right hand. Many politicians have already followed his politician fashion.