The History

Blame Russia. A balaclava is a form of cloth headgear designed initially in the 19th century as winter wear for British soldiers serving in the Crimean War. Soldiers required eye and face protection from the bitterly cold weather they encountered during their campaign against Russia. A knitted wool mask was created to cover the head and face in response to this demand.

Yuri Nikulin wears an orange balaclava in Leonid Gaidai‘s classic *Bootleggers*, a short comedy film that brought Gaidai his Cannes nomination.

How to style Balaklava

A Balaklava can be made of many different styles and materials. Wool is probably the most popular material used in making a Balaklava. Wool is a good insulator, so it provides good protection from the cold, but it's also breathable and doesn't irritate your skin or cause you to sweat.

How to Wear Balaklava

There are several ways to wear the balaclava, depending on how much of your face you want to hide.

First, if you don't mind showing some skin on your face but you want protection from the cold wind, put the Balaklava over your head and only cover the lower half of your face. This is good if you wear sunglasses or regular glasses underneath because it allows for some opening between your headgear and your face. You can also make it easier for yourself by wearing a hoodie with the zipper down to help create this opening.

Another option is to pull the balaclava over your head and completely cover all of your faces except for a small opening around your eyes or mouth. This is an excellent way to prevent the cold wind from irritating your skin when you're going skiing in winter.

A third option is to put the balaclava on backward, then pull it around so that it covers both the front and back of your head. This is an option if you're snowboarding or wearing a hoodie backward because it allows for easier access to the zipper.

The question remains, will you Balaklava this winter season?