Balaclava
This winter trend finally makes sense
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The balaclava is the warmest and therefore most sensible winter trend of 2024. The hat has had to wait long enough for its rise.
Icy temperatures pose challenges for fashionistas every winter, current example: skinny scarfs. The “scarves” with the width of a belt may pass as a decorative necklace, but they don’t keep you warm. Luckily, there is now a trend that keeps you warm and looks good: the balaclava.
The balaclava, a mixture of a hat, hood and scarf, has long been known primarily from two scenarios: from the ski slopes and from robberies. It may take some getting used to at first, but upon closer inspection it impresses with its functionality. The head, face and neck stay warm, while the wearers look like dangerous predators, cute earthworms or creative mythical creatures, depending on the color and style.
From the battlefield to the catwalks
The name of the balaclava comes from the Ukrainian town of Balaklava, a theater of the Crimean War (1853-1856). The hats were knitted by the wives of British soldiers to protect the men from the icy cold.
Designers, stars and fashion magazines have been working for a long time to make the balaclava socially acceptable. For some it is even a political statement, obviously for Pussy Riot, who have been performing in masks since they were founded in 2011. The mask has also been used for a long time in sports, such as outdoor sports in the cold or under helmets in motorcycling.
With the pandemic came acceptance of masking
There have already been a few attempts at face masks in fashion: Gucci and Calvin Klein sent their models down the catwalk in the three-hole version in 2018 and were ahead of their time. But it was only with the Corona pandemic that the idea of covering headgear became socially acceptable. So it is hardly a coincidence that the appointed Kim Kardashian (44) covered her face completely with black material at the Met Gala in the same year and Justin Bieber (30) performed on stage at the same event with a black balaclava.
Camila Cabello (27), who wore a ski mask at Paris Fashion Week this year, not for the first time, also has a special connection to the it-piece. Her inspiration was the film “Spring Breakers”, in which a group of girls in masks attack a restaurant. The singer explained in June that the “girl gang energy” felt empowering to her. And further: “It’s like tapping into this dangerous side of yourself.”
Despite prominent support, it took until winter 2024 for the balaclava to finally make it into the mainstream. Today, influencers on Instagram pose with colorful models, fashion chains like H&M and Zara have different versions in their range and you can now see the balaclava on every corner on the streets of Berlin.
Endless possibilities: sweet or dangerous?
There is a large selection for balaclava beginners. If you like it casual, choose the wide-cut balaclavas in inconspicuous colors such as white, gray or black, which fall like a hood with an integrated scarf. If you have enough fashion courage, you should make sure that the balaclava fits as close to your face as possible and stick to trendy colors such as pink or green. If you want to make people smile, put a balaclava with ears or horns over your head. If you want to remain anonymous, you can use the specimens in which only the eyes and mouth area can be seen. And if you want to get creative yourself, you can knit your own balaclava; there are plenty of instructions and inspiration on the internet.
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Source: Stern

I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.