The Balaclava, named after a port city in Crimea, was originally knitted for soldiers to endure harsh war-torn Eastern-European winters.

These origins give a nod to militia fashion and what it represented to rebel groups particularly in post-Soviet uprisings symbolizing riots, punk statements and non-conformity. 

The ‘clava resurged today, significantly during the pandemic, where it acted as an accelerator when facial coverings became the new normal.  Its influence also owes to Eastern European fashion and the ‘post-soviet’ aesthetic blending with gender-fluid Y2K core. Additionally, social media platforms like Tik Tok as well as pop/hip-hop culture catapulted the trend deeper into our wardrobes.

It remains connected to its roots as it merges with the mainstream fashion space that is ready to receive these subversive statement pieces with colorful pasts and make them the new go-to items. Nowadays, it continues being used by those on the fringe, but also those who want to change it up. Balaclavas present a way to stand out and respectfully, re-appropriate it as a fun subculture of fashion evoking anonymity, badassery and style.