From The Breton Jersey to The Telnyashka: A History of Military Striped Undershirts

[@jarkoer]

"Striped shirts make sailors stand out". Exactly! As a US Navy veteran, this is why I absolutely despised the blue camo uniforms from a few years ago. If you're on a ship and you go overboard, you WANT to be seen. You don't want to "blend in with the ocean". And what's up with the green camo uniforms of today? I understand that cross-service operations are more common, but as someone who joined during the "old school dungaree era", it seems pretentious and unnecessary when on board a ship.

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

Me too

[@stag.3526]

While I agree, the video did state that the blue and white stripes were meant to mimic the blue water and the whitecaps. So, better than the USN blue digis, but not as common sensical as, say, red or orange stripes would have been if safety was the primary factor.

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

I was watching a video on nuclear submarines and the crew was wearing the green navy camo uniform and I just shook my head like why does it even matter what uniform you are wearing. You’re on a submarine, got a lot of sh!t for commenting about it

[@IowanLawman]

And what's up with the green camo uniforms of today? Its called Fashion, the Navy wants to get in on the Digital Camo fad and there's a shit ton of money to be made with making new uniforms.

[@ProjectSerpo90]

The consensus from the people that people that had to wear then seems to be that they were hated, i dont know what it is but i always loved the US Navy blue camo.

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

Sounds like this shirt has a lot in common with a beret: at one point considered elite, then adopted by everyone in some color, because everyone wanted to feel special.

[@ReverendMeat51]

was thinking the same thing

[@isgodreal1337]

Good point, I agree with both of you! But isn't the beret ALSO originated from the civilian world?

[@cotepierre68]

Depending where your from. Beret was an army thing in the commonwealth. The colours where also always there. Kaki was the basic one, maroon for airborne since 1940, black for tanks etc. Nothing new.

[@ReverendMeat51]

@@isgodreal1337 I assume the beret originated in the civilian world because it has zero practical use and afaik it's only used in most militaries as part of a dress uniform. The US Army started allowing black berets for all soldiers but I don't know if they were allowed in garrison or not, if they are I've never seen one

[@5.7moy]

@@cotepierre68 The khaki beret isn’t actually a beret. It is called the GS or General Service cap. It’s much larger and harder to mould than a beret

[@JonathanLewispartypenguin]

Always wondered why they wore those things. Thanks.

[@antinewtypenewtypeclub3428]

Me too!!!

[@CertifiedAmen]

Video: *”why do russians wear blue striped shirts?”* *goes to the medieval ages*

[@alexsitaras6508]

"WE GET THERE WHEN WE GET THERE!"

[@laowu8024]

It all started when an event called the big bang happened

[@Born_Yashish]

That wasn't even far enough. Light-blue-striped clothes were described as a luxury clothing in the Hebrew Bible, ~2000 years before the European medieval age.

[@Liam-B]

20:20 Seeing those VDV strolling in pairs with balloons, as a drunken paratrooper waves a flag over a fountain was a really *interesting* clip.

[@MrMaximkozin]

Happens every year, and if you're visiting a Russian relative, they'll try to shelter you away from this, cause it's mostly drunk assholes who wouldn't be accepted into the VDV in a thousand years engaging in drunk brawls with anyone who would take the challenge including police.

[@chrisbrodhagen3658]

@@MrMaximkozin Yea VDV day is literally airborne troops and vets getting hammered and fighting ... well anyone not them because fuck you!

[@donniemontoya9300]

I met a dude on deployment last year in the US Navy. We were on a destroyer. He was an Electrician's mate and was born in Russia and emigrated to the US and enlisted in the Navy at some point. He was fluent in Russian, was covered in Russian tattoos, and by all regards, was very Russian and extremely proud of it.. During deployment we had a moral boosting method which was called "fun shirt Friday" (silly name I know but it worked). Every Friday you could wear whatever kind of shirt you wanted to with your uniform, provided it was practical and appropriate for the workplace. Every Friday without missing a single week, this guy would wear the Telnyashka with his US Navy blue coveralls and wore that thing with pride. People would rarely poke fun at him but everyone agreed it was pretty damn cool.

[@malcolmapplet4313]

That would really look bad-ass. I loved those blue coveralls.

[@PudelSkoda-]

-You know what, Holmes. I adore, I LOVE Russia! -That means, that you are a real Russian, Watson. -But, why? -Because you love Russia very much. But live in London.

[@sariosario6631]

It's weird to read this in 2023

[@bossplayerunit4563]

I have 2 russian navy telnyashkas, one winter and one summer. They are both quite nice, but I much prefer the winter one, because it is very comfortable and like a sweater, with its fleece lined inside

[@cmoudyrybicka]

When I could go to visit my old country after Iron Curtain felt down I bought 10 of these long sleeve t-shirts. They were selling them $2.50 a piece in Army surplus stores. Still now lots of people asking me about them. Just one note; they are made from a pure cotton, so, be careful and NEVER dry them in the dryer. Or you will end with a mini mini size t-shirt.

[@andresmartinezramos7513]

If you ever have a kid, you can put one in the dryer and put it on the baby

[@rustyshackleford17]

I found some at a flea market for dirt cheap and bought a bunch since I needed undershirts at that time. Been wearing them ever since. Unfortunately, the stitching on them seems to frequently...bad. But the fabric holds up forever. For whatever reason, women seem to love the look of a striped undershirt.

[@windwind3170]

RIP J-12. A true hero of Russia.

[@zvir7493]

Imagine getting tag teamed by two kids.

[@Rookie-wl3iu]

@@zvir7493 I know right? When he knocks you off with the butt of the stock. I was like. "Bruh. I should've been knocked the f**k out."

[@vasiliymedvedev1532]

RIP

[@ГригорийБуров-м1ъ]

This guy had been one of those That just like to live

[@kidsaiya8592]

Big man, gone but not forgotten. J-12 R.I.P.

[@peterwilliams2152]

Many years ago, my eldest daughter bought me several telnyashkas in different colours for my birthday. Since my birthday is just before Victory Day, the shop owner saw no problems. After Victory Day we went to swap them. I told the shop owner that I was a sailor and couldn't wear another man's colour. She understood as her husband was VDV. She explained to my daughter that men were proud of the colours of their service and would not wear another man's colour. She did it so well, and swapped the telnyashkas, my daughter no knows that papa is moryak!

[@dongblak7048]

No wonder the Russians like Adidas tracksuits.

[@WingMaster562]

You joke, but they have really similar reasons as to why they are loved by then Russian people. Both are: -created by Westerners and arrived to Russia -worn because of comfort -worn by young men in the force (Armed force, then workforce) -iconic outfits that became a Russian identity

[@randycheow4268]

Tri Poloski

[@alliedsoul97]

​@@WingMaster562 But I think the main reason was that Adidas was commissioned by the Russian Olympic team in 1980 to make a tracksuit for their team but was asked to add an extra stripe to help distinguish it from a "cheap" Adidas suit. People began wearing them for comfort and patriotism.

[@426baron]

In France Adidas tracksuits are also part of the temporary worker's outfit.

[@gehtdichnixan3200]

if they get lost in the snow ?

[@MrPh30]

Perhaps one of the most iconic shirts of them all.

[@Goran1138]

Here, in Russia, we have one old army joke about this. Question: What kind of the psychological attack is the most scary, confusing and effective? Answer: Cavalry charge of the marines on zebras. BECAUSE ALL IN STRIPES

[@sovietred7371]

😂That's a good one

[@5.7moy]

That genuinely made me laugh.

[@voidkilla8326]

Jajajajajaj 😂

[@proudmanyakis]

Russian cant even defeat small country like ukraine

[@riaanvahora489]

​@@proudmanyakiswithout nato support, I would like to see how long Ukraine will be able to stand

[@EzekielDeLaCroix]

There's three telnyashka holiday? Damn, they must really love it

[@makukawakami]

Russians really like their stripes huh.

[@pawlof9985]

If you want to be a alkagolik Go to Russia we have to many Holidays

[@davidbrennan660]

You send them drunk, sitting in a fountain...... it is cultural thing in Russia.

[@olegbukhalo]

Russia literally has a holiday for everything

[@chechenfeels]

@@davidbrennan660 ahh yes the pictures of VDV day and all the partying soldiers bathing in the fountains lmao

[@GeorgeSemel]

It's really about the morale and esprit de corps of the Armed Services of Russia. Nothing wrong with that The sense of pride and Identity. Like uniforms, different colors for the different branches of the service.

[@chibani-]

I think you should have devellop a bit more on the French and Breton as it's still used today. As for Britanny it should be really obvious as it Flag is born from the US flag but with white and black stripes and therefore a lot of "breton" shirts are black and white rather than blue and white this represent britanny flag

[@HTRfdg]

it's not "french" and "breton" it's only french.... ;p

[@akcorbel]

@@HTRfdg the Breton culture and language is incredibly different from the French culture and language.

[@leneanderthalien]

@@akcorbel The breton language and culture are close from british Cornwall and Wellsh

[@HTRfdg]

@@akcorbel oh thanks i will tell this to my breton's wife and to my neighborhood in Brest XD Also I live in bretagne for almost 6 years and I whore that "breton" shirt at work ;)

[@Baamthe25th]

@@akcorbel What does this have to do with what he said ? It's about the shirt, not the culture or language... It's associated with Bretagne mostly because the French Navy is well installed there. Meanwhile, the Navy is of course very strongly associated with French Nation and not any regionalism. Tbh, at this point, outside the Navy, that shirt is more associated with Parisians than anyone else

[@ShahAznable]

Really love the telnyashka, they goes well with most parka and jackets

[@wh8787]

I got a telnyashka for airsoft and reenactment ages ago, it fairly quickly worked its way into my regular wardrobe being practical, comfortable and stylish. I now have I think four if them, two naval, one long sleeve VDV, and one sleeveless VDV. I have other striped tops but the sizing of the stripes on real telnyashka look better and they last well.

[@oldschooljack3479]

Enjoyed "Drunken Sailor" playing in the background.

[@robbabcock_]

Nice! When I saw the title I thought, "meh, that sounds boring" but of course it wound up being fascinating! Thanks.

[@isgodreal1337]

Even more fascinating if scholars find out they are actually blue shirts with white stripes.

[@chechenfeels]

Really gotta say Russian uniform pieces are mostly comfy af...from gorka to the telnyashkas.

[@mikecimerian6913]

Only force to have warm feet during WWII winters.

[@Thats_me190]

@@mikecimerian6913pretty sure both sides had cold feet

[@mikecimerian6913]

@@Thats_me190 Not with valenkis :)

[@Strelok762]

Side note, Telnyashkas are extremely comfortable too

[@Moredread25]

I know that this is just a basic summation, but I feel like the detail of the revolutions that occurred in 1905 in Russia that the sailors played a part in is a detail worth mentioning, especially since you bring it up in the 1917 Russian revolution.

[@jonhelmer8591]

This is one of those, I never knew I needed to know that, but I'm glad watched it videos. Thank You!

[@wyatt8274]

Bought one when I was a kid, still have it

[@MyrMerek]

I am very happy that you contacted Vlad Besedovsky to consult and help you with this work, he is a very talented historical reconstructor and his team is extremely knowledgeable about USSR 80s uniform, probably being the most knowledgeable in the world even.

[@RigorMortis8904]

Make a video on the Brazilian Army Camouflage please! I think it's very cool and as a Brazilian myself, I see it a lot and would like to know it's history, thank you!

[@redshift4416]

This is a super interesting story, and wonderfully told!

[@bluepockets]

Love the video but weird question. At 7:59 you have a photo of what looks like a gatling CANNON. Can you shine more light on that? I’ve never seen that before and id like to know more.

[@brenokrug7775]

The expressions at @18:18 are priceless

[@danielmyers-cowan3416]

I cant explain why I even like these videos, its breakdowns of military uniforms I've never even seen but goddamn is it still interesting

[@wareagle3651]

Very informative and interesting video. Can I just add one thing? The Telnyashka simply looks badass.

[@MrEnollx]

Really amazing. I can't believe the detail and research.

[@dionysus6892]

Actually the boat cut shirts were like that so you could easily strip them off in case you had to dive into the water. Lifeguards, military and etc (I even remember this from scouts) are taught to take one arm out of its sleeve, then pull the whole shirt over your head and let it fall off the the other arm to get it out of its sleeve. A bigger neck hole makes it easier to remove quickly but I would imagine leaves you open to more sunburn…

[@michl4800]

That was really cool, I am going to buy a few stripped shirts. And shared this it was very informative

[@mikecimerian6913]

Wear them with formal dress ;)

[@brandon3671]

So glad I found this channel, never knew how interesting history of uniforms can be

[@KaLuno21]

ВДВ! С НЕБА ПРИВЕТ! Finally, the Telnyashka gets some love. Great video as always!

[@WingMaster562]

I heard the Japanese adopted this and called it "Shimapan", quite a strong pattern indeed ;)

[@choppergunner8650]

Ah yes, for when girls find themselves in "wetwork operations" xD

[@trangdo8887]

Besides from that,i noticed some of their school uniforms had those,but there is only 2 stripes

[@GavTatu]

and to expand slightly, i'm from jersey, which is a little island next to normandy and brittiany, where our fishermen used to knit heavy sweaters, which got the name jersey.

[@mamneo2]

Hello! Could you make a video about the mexican marines camo? It's a beautiful pattern and not so much info can be found ❤️

[@obsidianjane4413]

@5:00 Nah. It was so French sailors couldn't use the shirt to surrender with. Je trouverai la sortie. ;) Patterned fabric became common after the mechanical loom was invented and made mass produced patterned fabrics possible. Stripes became popular (everywhere not just for sailors) because it was just a way to hide inconsistencies in the thread and/or stains from showing as well as they would on plain fabric.

[@alecjones4135]

Holy shit great video. Very informative. Love the history.

[@mikecimerian6913]

Soviet Marines had a very intimidating look. The dark Telnyashka and their black uniform gave them an aura of lethality.

[@richardsawyer5428]

Excellent video. If you're doing parts of uniforms such as these, how about the bearskin and the busby and the differences between them (rumour has it that we stole the bearskin off the French Imperial Guard.)

[@christianweibrecht6555]

1:59 I wonder why Leviticus believed that fields should only contain one type of crop, I hope farmers were not foolish enough to adhere to that

[@kyle18934]

I'm guessing it was saying don't use two types of crops at the same time, so they are mixed. That's just a guess though

[@isgodreal1337]

@@kyle18934 I'm pretty sure field always have just one type of crop

[@kyle18934]

@@isgodreal1337 I don't think so , they mayhap, but thwy problably rotated crops around. Or used them every other year. Land isn't sustainable using just one crop on the field, unless you use barley, beans or some other ones. Clovers were popular in the middle ages for rejuvenating and building up rhe soil. One of the reasons for the great dust bowl was the farmers were abusing their soil by over planting wheat which takes more energy from the soil than it puts in, so the soil didn't work as well and eroded from the wind (heavily summarized btw)

[@Rhynome]

It opposes companion planting (probably to further differentiate Israelites from neighbouring peoples), but doesn't oppose crop rotation, and enforces a fallow year once every 7.

[@maximus1303ultimus]

I think this video has been your best so far

[@f3uibeghardt522]

When he talked about the reemergent popularity of striped garments back around the 1910s, I can't believe he didn't mention the old thyme 1-piece men's bathing suits of that era.

[@cahsahhhhhhhn]

Been waiting for you to cover this one

[@yorkshirecoastadventures1657]

Been waiting for this one. Thanks.

[@downandout992]

I always wondered about the use of this piece of clothing. And now I have found out!

[@melodicsauce5203]

Could you please do a video on M12 NZ MCU (multi-terrain camouflage uniform) camouflage as it was made by New Zealand and used only by New Zealand. This is cool as normally we use variations of british uniforms.

[@AlexandreOliveira1974]

In Heraldry, representation of waters (rivers, seas) was wit stripes.

[@quakethedoombringer]

I like how you include the VDV song

[@davidbowman2716]

Congrats for a brilliant research.

[@onrr1726]

I've got a bunch of Telnyashka's that I acquired over the years in Ukraine and got them for next to nothing. Last I knew they were being fazed out of the Ukrainian armed forces after the Russians invaded. I bought and sold a number of the Green & White, Black & White, along side of the Navy and Air Born shirts. I have had Vests, light weight spring & fall shirts with long sleeves and heavy sweaters used by the Navy.

[@caffeinatedbuffalosauce883]

A video I’ve been waiting for

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Thanks, I really appreciate this one!

[@lebendigesgespenst7669]

6:52 damnnn that drip!!

[@dule1511]

''Drunken sailor'' played on violin in background

[@charlievanhousen8588]

Have you thought of doing a video on commercial camouflages such as tree bar mossy oak and those types ?

[@HereticalKitsune]

I could see how striped shirts of one unit appear in the hands of other units... it's simple trading. I bet some soldiers had a large collection of all sorts of colors.

[@AviViljoen]

FANTASTIC video!

[@terranempire2]

You know this means you have to do the history of the Naval rig/ Crackerjack / Sailor suit. Right?

[@blueindigo1000]

Very interesting! Thank you!

[@SignalSeven]

Great video! What is the clip from 20:40 from?

[@LorSTApunk07]

Great video! This was incredibly interesting.

[@TheAndrew1987]

throughout the video i just had the vdv song playing in my head on a loop

[@arbabcreations]

Can you make a video on how the rank badges on combat uniforms were moved to chest from shoulder? It seems like many countries have done it already.

[@silvesby]

Might have to do with plate carriers/webbing covering that area

[@McNasty8869]

VEH DEH VEH

[@silvesby]

С неба привет!

[@davidbrennan660]

Urrah! Urrah! Urrah!

[@steve1236541]

Great job on the video!!

[@iChefTheImpossible]

Like the shanty background music

[@StoneWeevil]

Me: (Repeatedly refreshes the YT homepage to get new recommendations) KZbin Algorithm: "You want something different? FINE."

[@henriksson4225]

Would be really cool to see a video about the cavalry stetson.

[@zororosario]

Good stuff interesting history + valuable knowledge Thanks,Cheers

[@Philo68]

Telnyashka Music: Boris Terentev Lyrics: Aleksandr Oyslender Эх, моя тельняшка фронтовая, Частые полоски на груди, Белые, как пена штормовая, Синие, как море впереди. Ветер дует с норда или с веста, Но, едва доходит до тебя, Сразу затихает и ни с места, Вот как защищаешь ты любя. Припев: Эх, тельняшка, Матросская рубашка, Ты зимой и летом хороша. Знать, недаром Бушует пожаром Под тобою морская душа. На тебя гляжу, и оживают Все бои, что ты со мной прошла. Метка слева - рана штыковая, Что в потёмках сердце не нашла. Метка справа - рана пулевая, Что совсем недавно зажила... Эх, моя тельняшка фронтовая, Ты меня в обиду не дала. Припев. А. когда дерёмся мы на суше, Вдалеке от моря своего, В новых гимнастёрках чуть потуже, В остальном же, право, ничего. Ничего, что форма не такая, Что не вьются ленты позади, Всё равно - душа у нас морская И, как встарь, тельняшка на груди! Припев. 1948

[@duartesimoes508]

Possibly the only subject in which Russians and Ukrainians agree nowadays: wearing Telniashky!

[@_just_another_filthy_redcoat]

Probably not the place to drop this but..... I’ve just gotten into Star Trek ( the next generation) and it got me hooked good 😅 to the point I’m really considering a uniform..... would love to see your 2p on the matter 👌

[@SkySky-dk7si]

Shouting out for Panzer Wrap :D

[@5.7moy]

A panzer wrap video would be great

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

Great! I’ve always wondered about it.

[@simonjester0074]

Very interesting and well presented 😎

[@lebendigesgespenst7669]

Always interesting to me how much militaria eventually inspired fashion

[@juhokuusisto9339]

Apparently some places in Russia (I think mostly bars), if you wear the Telnyashka without having served, it might be considered "stolen valor" and you might get your nose broken. At least that's what I have heard about it. So don't wear your Marimekko shirt over there.

[@wujitsu77uusi]

11:40 what is the song called that plays?

[@Benny---]

14:45 Photo features a captured German MG81Z aircraft machine gun, rare piece of hardware.

[@shatteredonthesidewalk]

Ok i got a good one. Usmc urban camo or also the marines from the movie The Rock.

[@TacDyne]

Leviticus' meaning: Don't mix flax with wool. They shrink and wear differently. It had nothing to do with color. XD

[@starlonga]

Great video

[@WingMaster562]

I heard the Japanese adopted this and called it /Shimapan/, quite a strong pattern indeed ;)

[@TonyfromTO]

How about striped red and white sails?⛵

[@monkeylee4818]

In China we calls it 海魂衫

[@woodonfire7406]

Do you Chinese wear those on your military?

[@monkeylee4818]

@@woodonfire7406 yes, in the navy

[@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367]

@@woodonfire7406 i beleive north korea has themas well. they are used in mongolia too. id be curious if they are used in the vietnamese navy

[@heli-crewhgs5285]

In China, you copy it and mass produce it in inferior materials, with shoddy workmanship.

[@Ahm7225]

Could we be seeing a future video on the new con camo ?

[@hussindanial5416]

Do about Malay regiment. They even wore them in London bukingham palace.

[@chrislemon4353]

Do the British DPM camouflage next please

[@sandun8259]

Dude... I'm surprised you haven't done the tiger strips pattern yet.

[@maxwelllee6580]

Do a history of the cossack kubanka hat?

[@sparkyfromel]

the big thing with the Telnyashka is that it's really comfortable ,

[@tucayojct416]

Song at 8:51?

[@iii3370]

Can you do the uniform history on the DPC guards from the movie “the thinning”

[@tommygun333]

Not only the content, but love the intro as well! What's that tune?

[@bigbitehood1353]

It's Minotaur's shirt dude. It's synonymous with Spetsnaz to me. It's a sailors shirt but it's soo soviet too