Захарова Анастасия

Jacket of Peter I

Peter I is one of the most significant figures in the Russian history. A lot of different decrees were issued during his reign.
It is worth noting that one of them changed fashion in Russia and introduced the rules for wearing European-style clothing.
The decree “On wearing clothes in the Hungarian manner” was issued on January 14, 1700.
Firstly, men were to wear a caftan clinging tightly to the figure, a jacket, knee pants, long stockings and buckle shoes. They were to have a white wig or powdered hair. Besides, the noblemen had to cut their beards.
Secondly, according to the new fashion, women began to wear a low-necked dress with a close-fitting bodice and a wide skirt.
By the way, in Vologda, where I live, there is a memorial house of Peter the Great. The emperor stayed in this building when he visited the city.
As far as I know, there are about 100 exhibits dating back to the reign of Peter I. Visitors can see emperor’s clothes, a copy of his death mask, two Dutch chairs with the date 1704, “zertsalo” (a trihedral prism with a two-headed eagle on the top and three Petrine decrees on its three sides), and some others.
To tell the truth, I was amazed at the jacket of Peter the Great displayed at the museum. It was handed over to the Vologda Local Lore Museum by the State Hermitage in 1955.
This exhibit is certainly unique. The white knee-length jacket with flaring and stiffened skirts (also called “just au corps”) was made in Zaandam, Holland. Probably Peter I bought the jacket when he lived in Holland in 1697 working as a carpenter at a local shipyard.
In conclusion, I can say that Peter I really changed the view of the fashion in Russia in the 18th century. Thus, he became the most striking and memorable figure among the rulers of our country.