The history of the Russian Telnyashka

From sailors to PUBG, how the russian navy sailor striped shirt conquered the world!

The vest, the spirit of the russian army

The Striped Vest or Telnyashka as it is called in Russia, first appeared in Russia more than 120 years ago. It is worn with pleasure not only in the Navy but in everyday life, not only by adults but also by children. And the very notion of Telnyashka has changed. The previous vest with the today’s one has in common only formal resemblance and steady popularity. Nowadays, people wear Telnyashka of a variety of styles and colors, made from various materials.

What does telnyashka mean?

The word “Telnyashka” in Russian was formed from the word “telo” – the body, and the sense of the word was that this sweatshirt was designed especially to be worn on “telo” (on the body).

Thus, initially, it was supposed to be in complete suit with the human body as possible.

Striped vest with alternating white and navy horizontal stripes appeared as a part of the Russian sailors’ uniform in the days of sailing fleet. At sea sailors should have possessed special skills, be precise and speedy at the sailyards of the masts, and Telnyashka turned to be a perfect garment for such a work. Sailors often had to climb the masts and yards. In order to always keep a sailor in sight, to be able to correct him at an altitude of 40-50 meters, sailors were worn in striped vests, as the navy stripes stand out clearly against the background of the sails. In addition, the sailors trapped in the sea well stood out against its background.

As a mandatory part of the Russian Navy, Telnyashka was officially implemented at the initiative of the Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich, General Admiral of the Russian Fleet, who on Aug. 19, 1874 signed a Decree on the Introduction of a Striped Vest (Telnyashka) as one of the key attributes of the naval uniform.

Тельняшка song by Владимир Бунчиков

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.

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.

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!

Eh, my front vest, Frequent stripes on the chest, Whites like storm foam, Blue as the sea ahead. The wind blows from the north or west, But, barely comes to you, Immediately calms down and no place, That’s how you protect by loving.

Eh, vest, Sailor shirt, You are good in winter and summer. Know for good reason Raging fire Under you the sea soul.

I look at you and come to life All the fights that you went with me. The label on the left is a bayonet wound, What in the dark heart did not find. The mark on the right is a bullet wound, What recently healed … Eh, my front vest, You have not offended me.

When we fight on land, Away from its sea, In the new gymnasium a little bit worse For the rest, really, nothing. Nothing that form is not That the ribbons do not hover behind, All the same – our soul is sea And as before, vest on the chest!

It meets perfectly all the requirements of the sailors’ work. Telnyashka has a great advantage over other under shirts, namely, it retains heat well, and though clinging the body, it does not detain the free movement, besides, it is easy to wash. Design of Telnyashka very accurately underlines the advantages of the masculine body and makes it even more courageous.

This jersey shirt with white and navy stripes was to become a great favourite of the sailors, a symbol of sea valour and brotherhood. In a large measure the viability of this jersey stems from the combination of the stripes on it symbolizing the blue sky and the white crests of the waves. Repeating the color of the St.Andrew’s flag, Telnyashka reminds a sailor of the sea and of the ship.

It became a symbol of courage, bravery, heroism, strength and power of endurance, tenacity, male bonding and love of life.

Telnyashka is not just nice, comfortable and practical. Telnyashka is symbolic.

Sailors of all generations of the Russian Navy have been calling Telnyashka the “Soul of the sea“.

The “Soul of the sea” – is the vigor, inventiveness, stubborn courage and immovable tenacity. It is cheerful daring, the scorn of death, the inveterate sailor’s rage, fierce hatred to an enemy.

The “Soul of the sea” – is the high pride of people always trying to be first and best. It is a wonderful charm of a cheerful, self-confident and successful man, a little self-admiring, a little biased in favor of showiness, gloss and witty remarks.

The Soul of the sea – is the great love of life.

The “Soul of the sea” – is aspiration to win. The power of sailors is irresistible, persevering and ambitious.

Telnyashkas with stripes of different colors than navy blue are usually a mark of a special detachment, for example:

• Blue – VDV paratroopers, GRU Spetsnaz
• Green – FSB Border Guards
• Maroon – OMON and Spetsnaz detachments of MVD
• Black – Naval Infantry
• what else are we missing? Let us know!!