Bashlik

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Braided tabs simulating the closures on military uniforms were popular for walking dresses and tailored outerwear in the nineteenth century. The metallic braid worn by Hussars and Zouaves began as a layer of protection to deflect sword blades, but was quickly absorbed into the ornamental vocabulary of civilian and women's dress. Thus, the heroic epic of the soldier was emulated by both royalty and the general public, alike.

The Costume Institute

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Costume Institute's collection of more than thirty-three thousand objects represents seven centuries of fashionable dress and accessories for men, women, and children, from the fifteenth century to the present.

Metropolitan Museum of Art