The epaulet is an unusual accessory worn on the shoulder. Until the 20th century, it was part of a military uniform, but then it began to be worn in everyday life as a decoration for everyday wear. Today, epaulettes are worn by officers of some military organizations as part of the parade uniform, and girls supplement them with their outfits to make them more interesting.
What are epaulettes
The word "epaulette" was first used in historical documents at the end of the 18th century. It comes from the French "épaulettes", which is translated into Russian as "shoulders". Initially, this accessory was part of the knightly armor, made of metal and used to protect the shoulders. With the invention of firearms, metal armor became useless, and epaulettes began to perform only a decorative function.
This accessory is a rectangle decorated with ornaments, rounded on one side and trimmed with fringe. Epaulettes were attached to the shoulder of a uniform with buttons, laces, hooks or belts. The various patterns, shape and length of the fringe corresponded to certain military ranks, since modern shoulder straps at the time had not yet been invented.
Epaulettes as part of a military uniform
In the 19th century, epaulettes were worn by British and French officers to designate the rank, and then they began to be used in the armies of other countries: the USA, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Russia. The officer’s rank could be determined by the type of shoulder on which he wore the epaulette: on the right, left, or both. Later, those military men who wore only one shoulder strap were ordered to wear the second one on the opposite shoulder, but without fringe.
Epaulettes for officers were made of gold and silver, and for sergeants and ordinary soldiers, fabric of different colors was used.
Bright shoulders were visible from afar and allowed soldiers to identify their commanders in the midst of battle. Some troops wore one epaulet only on the right shoulder, in others only on the left, and in the third on both shoulders.
The British military found that this sign helps not only their soldiers to discern officers, but also enemy snipers. When it became apparent that the enemy’s arrows were deliberately killing officers, because their epaulettes were an easy target, the British armed forces removed them from their uniforms and replaced them with a safer option - epaulettes. Soon, the US military did the same.
Currently, decorative epaulettes are used as part of the ceremonial military uniform in some countries.
Epaulettes in Russia
In Russia, this element of a military uniform appeared around the end of the 17th century. At first it looked like a loop of fabric or leather fixed on the shoulder, and served as a stopper for the belt pouch: kept it from slipping. Such "epaulettes" were part of the uniform of privates, since the officers did not carry guns and pouches with cartridges for them were useless.
Insignia and decorations were completely absent. In the first half of the 19th century, an ornament that corresponded to certain military ranks began to be applied to epaulettes.
How epaulettes differ from epaulettes
In the middle of the 19th century, in almost all the armies of Europe and America, silver and gold epaulettes began to be removed from military uniforms; before the start of the 1st World War, shoulder straps completely replaced them. Although these two elements of the army outfit are similar to each other, there are several differences between them.
Shoulder straps are made in the form of a rectangle, usually they are made of fabric or of a dense base covered with fabric. Insignia are sewn on the upper side: gusset, stars. An epaulet is a rectangle rounded on one side. Around the perimeter or only along the edge on the epaulettes is fixed fringe, which serves as an identifier of a military rank. There is no fringe on uniform.
Epaulettes in women's clothing
For more than two hundred years, epaulettes have served as a fashion accessory for women's outfits. When the country is at war, men put on a uniform and go to the front, while women stay at home. At such times, ladies often use design elements of army uniforms to create dresses and other items of clothing. Details such as a gold edging or large brass buttons help recreate the military's style, and women wear officer epaulettes for the same reason - to give the outfits a fashionable military mood. Even famous designers use this element in their collections. Epaulette is a way to make a woman’s silhouette more clear, fit and strict, give it strength and even some authority.
Today epaulettes carry only a decorative function, but once played an important role in the lives of people who went to war, and those who were under their leadership. Luxurious golden fringe served as a distinction, demonstrated the high status of the owner and was an object of admiration for both military and civilian. Many armed forces still use epaulettes during festive parades, and women are happy to decorate fashionable dresses with them.