The balaclava originates back to the battle at the Ukrainian town of Balaclava during the Crimean War of 1854. Soldiers wore them to keep warm from the freezing cold weather, before they were adopted by Eastern European militias to avoid surveillance. In the present day, as we navigate life in this global pandemic, subversive trends are gaining more popularity among a wider crowd especially those that involve face covering.
The fashion crazed item has been seen in major resurgence in recent years on the runways, the streets, and our social media feeds. Most often seen sported by models, celebrities, social media influencers and everyday folks in fashion-forward cities such as New York.
|
|
|
Photo Credit: Jacquemus |
Photo Credit: Marni |
The balaclava originates back to the battle at the Ukrainian town of Balaclava during the Crimean War of 1854. Soldiers wore them to keep warm from the freezing cold weather, before they were adopted by Eastern European militias to avoid surveillance. In the present day, as we navigate life in this global pandemic, subversive trends are gaining more popularity among a wider crowd especially those that involve face covering.
The fashion crazed item has been seen in major resurgence in recent years on the runways, the streets, and our social media feeds. Most often seen sported by models, celebrities, social media influencers and everyday folks in fashion-forward cities such as New York.
Photo Credit: Jacquemus
Photo Credit: Marni
Kim Kardashian's Balenciaga Look in 2021 Met Gala
Photo Credit: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
The uniqueness about this micro trend is how widespread it’s become. The rise in popularity for this accessory followed the debut of Kim Kardashian’s attention-grabbing Balenciaga look at the 2021 Met Gala, which comprised a full-face covering, after which searches for balaclavas soared.
Kim Kardashian's Balenciaga Look in 2021 Met Gala
Photo Credit: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
Combined with the times of the pandemic and people being used to wearing masks, we seem to be far more adaptive to face coverings, whether it’s a full face covering or a slightly more wearable knitted hood.
Photo Credit: Miu Miu
You know that it’s a trend not to take lightly when high-end brands start partying with balaclava looks on the runway. Raf Simons at Calvin Klein even flaunted the style in their Fall/Winter 18 collection. The accessory was also featured heavily at the Miu Miu’s FW21 show during Paris Fashion week. Since balaclavas started crawling their way up to luxury brands, we’ve seen countless innovations along the runways by labels like Gucci, Marni, Loewe, Y/Project, Kenzo, WOOYOUNGMI, Dsquared2, Justin Gall, 1017-ALYX-9SM also showed the headgear.
Photo Credit: Calvin Klein 205W39NYC FW18
Photo Credit: Miu Miu FW21
Photo Credit: Loewe FW22
Photo Credit: Gucci FW22
Photo Credit: Y/Project FW22
Photo Credit: WOOYOUNGMI FW22
Photo Credit: Calvin Klein 205W39NYC FW18
Photo Credit: Miu Miu FW21
Photo Credit: Loewe FW22
Photo Credit: Gucci FW22
Photo Credit: Y/Project FW22
Photo Credit: WOOYOUNGMI FW22
Designers such as Christian Stone and Ýrúrarí executed this fashion favorite with an artisanal hand crochet technique in two different crafted aesthetics, demonstrating the range and variation possibilities to this silhouette.
Shrimps’ hand-embroidered embellishments add character to the brands’ balaclava style. Motifs of hand-drawn sketches and scribbles were translated in various thread colors that has made the piece even more distinctive and personal.
The trend has made its mark among mass market with TikTok users starting out wearing hooded scarves and sunglasses. Since then, widespread appearances of the balaclavas and hoods on social media platforms with selfies on Instagram and video on Tiktok further accelerated the trend.
|
|
|
|
Photo Credit: Christian Stone |
Photo Credit: Ýrúrarí |
Photo Credit: Shrimps |
Photo Credit: Christian Stone
Photo Credit: Ýrúrarí
Photo Credit: Shrimps
In anticipation of the Lunar New Year to ring in the Year of Rabbit, Ambush has launched their bunny balaclava for its Spring/Summer 2023 collection. Charles Jeffrey Loverboy on the other hand, showcased a cat ear balaclava for its Fall/Winter 23 collection.
Photo Credit: Ambush
Photo Credit: Charles Jeffrey Loverboy FW23
Photo Credit: WGSN Street
Photo Credit: Kiko Kostadinov
In anticipation of the Lunar New Year to ring in the Year of Rabbit, Ambush has launched their bunny balaclava for its Spring/Summer 2023 collection. Charles Jeffrey Loverboy on the other hand, showcased a cat ear balaclava for its Fall/Winter 23 collection.
Photo Credit: Ambush
Photo Credit: Charles Jeffrey Loverboy FW23
Photo Credit: WGSN Street
Photo Credit: Kiko Kostadinov
The balaclava silhouette Knitup offers, allows you to make your creative twist to.
|
|
|
|
Balaclava Merino Wool in 5GG Cable stitch (colors: Gold) |
Balaclava BCI Cotton in 12GG Jacquard stitch (colors: Butter/Oliver Drab Pattern from Knitup Image Gallery |
Balaclava BCI Cotton in 12GG Jacquard stitch (colors: Off White/Navy Blazer/Lilac/Twilight Pattern from Knitup Image Gallery |
Balaclava
Merino Wool in 5GG Cable stitch
(colors: Gold)
Balaclava
BCI Cotton in 12GG Jacquard stitch
(colors: Butter/Oliver Drab
Pattern from Knitup Image Gallery
Balaclava
BCI Cotton in 12GG Jacquard stitch
(colors: Off White/Navy Blazer/Lilac/Twilight
Pattern from Knitup Image Gallery
Our Design Editor is powerful and can be accessed through
desktop only.
So get in a homey, creative space. Check email. Your access to
all things sweater awaits there.
Access Knitup using your desktop to proceed with purchase of the Stitchbox
