The most frightening, unusual and sinister uniform in history

The uniform serves different purposes. Most often, it is used by the military or members of an organization to create an impression of order or give a sense of solemnity. But some varieties of uniforms stand out from the general series with an unusual or frankly sinister appearance, especially if they are also associated with some terrible circumstances.

Today we will show you samples of the most unusual and frightening uniforms in history.

Equipment of firefighters of the beginning of the XX century

At the beginning of the XX century, new technologies came to the aid of firefighters, as a result of which protective clothing took on a somewhat sinister appearance. A gas mask, heavy dense fabrics — the work suit was very different from the dress suit.

Women's Brigades of the Irish Republican Army

Initially, the Irish Republican Army was a rather frightening organization. This feeling is compounded by the sight of the uniforms of the IRA women's brigades, whose black masks and coats gave them a sinister and menacing appearance. They are pictured during the funeral of Francis Hughes in 1981.

General protection suits

These suits created the same frightening impression as gas masks or fire-fighting equipment. They often completely covered the face to protect the wearer from chemical, biological or radioactive contamination. In the minds of people, such costumes became associated with death and disaster, although they belonged to rescuers.

Gas masks from the First World War

During the First World War, the soldier's uniform had to be changed to protect against chemical weapons. These old gas masks caused a feeling of great anxiety. In addition to the natural fear that we all experience at the sight of a deformed or hidden face, the gas mask awakens a burning horror associated with the destructive use of chemical and biological weapons.

Kapirot

A capirot is a high pointed hood. This piece of clothing appeared in medieval Spain, where it was used by many monastic orders. Such a hood was often worn by self-flagellators (such as those depicted in the figure), or it was put on the heads of those convicted by the inquisition court for the sake of public humiliation.

The original clothing of the Ku Klux Klan

Kapirot inspired the creators of the Ku Klux Klan uniform and other American supporters of white supremacy. The white hood and cloak made its owner look like a ghost and served as a tool of intimidation in a decades-long campaign of horror.

Other early forms of the Ku Klux Klan

The pointed cap became a standard part of the Ku Klux Klan uniform only after the revival of the movement in the XX century. Prior to this, members of the community used many varieties of hooded suits.

Winged Hussars

Winged hussars were one of the main types of cavalry of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth between the XVI and XVIII centuries and wore one of the most intimidating forms in military history. From the outside, their winged armor may seem more spectacular than scary, but imagine the feelings of a soldier who is attacked by such a guy.

Samurai

Having occupied the privileged position of a military caste for centuries, the Japanese samurai developed armor and uniforms designed to intimidate the army, which consisted mainly of superstitious mobilized peasants. The characteristic masks resembled the faces of demons and contributed to the myth of the invisibility of the samurai.

Black Braunschweigians

The Black Brunswickers — a military unit of the Napoleonic Wars, gained a formidable reputation in the Victorian public consciousness. This was mainly due to the gloominess of their all-black uniforms, which were complemented by a patch in the form of a skull with bones on the shako.

German "Pickelhaube" helmets from the First World War

Looking back at the First World War, it is difficult not to perceive every page of the conflict as a terrifying illustration of the disgusting human cruelty. Of all the uniforms of that period, the most frightening seems to be the German uniform with a pointed Pickelhaube helmet. Helmets were used in the Prussian army before, but gradually changed, becoming like an attribute of another world. Their solemn appearance contrasted with the brutality of the positional war.

Waffen-SS

Due to the historical context, any German uniform from the time of the Third Reich causes a difficult reaction. This is especially true of the uniforms of the Waffen-SS, the most elite Nazi soldiers. The black uniform was often supplemented with a patch in the form of a skull with bones, depending on the division.

The Plague Doctor

Any list of frightening forms must include the infamous plague doctor. His clothes consisted of a long cloak covering everything and a mask in the form of a bird's beak filled with strongly smelling herbs. Such vestments were worn by doctors during the medieval epidemics of bubonic plague. Complete with a hood or a wide-brimmed hat, the suit was supposed to protect the doctor from an airborne infection, but it looked terrifying, resembling a mythological grim reaper. Moreover, he quickly became associated with imminent death.