Punch Cartoon: Hussar Hessians and Pants

This is hilarious. Enough said.

Heeresgeschichtliches Museum Part 1, 1853 Hussar

When I went to Vienna for a dance week, I took pictures at the military history museum (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum) and promised to post them later. I am slow, but I have not quite forgotten. So today, I want to share one of my very favorite uniforms from that trip. I don't entirely know why, but I fell completely in love with it. It also really reminds me of the uniform from yesterday's post. The card proclaimed this a "Sommerattilla fur Wachtmeister der k.k. Husaren um 1853." Mostly I don't get German, but I guess it is an 1853 Hussar uniform. How wonderful would it be in a mid-19th century ballroom? I think it strikes an attractive balance between simple clean construction and fabulous military ornamentation. So pretty! Time for pictures - sorry about the glare, but you get the idea!

Oh, it is so pretty. Wonderful braid all over!

The cord on the back is so pretty. A very graceful line, don't you think? Plus, I found it really fascinating to see the back of one of those sashes - usually the back is covered by a jacket, and I never see!

Maybe that is a redundant picture. I still really like the back

The collar trim is cute. You probably don't often notice the back of a soldier's neck, but why not throw in extra ornaments anyway?

Fuzzy picture, but I want to try to show off the front trim. That blue and gold striped trim is charming, and the rosettes are neat, and the pattern is very striking for being so simple.

A much sharper detail shot on the rosettes and cords. Doesn't it make you want to learn how to fasten one of those cord and barrel Hussar sashes? What a great decorative knot!

I don't know what the stars mean, but I'm sure they're important. I'm more entranced by the cord patterns, though.

Ballet Hussars

In Swan Lake, Prince Siegfried is supposed to get married. In fact, there is a very Cinderella-ish ball with bunches of princesses, and he is supposed to choose one. In the Tchaikovsky ballet, one of these princesses is Hungarian, and there is a Hungarian song during the ball for her accompanying Hungarians to dance to. There is a film of the American Ballet Theater dancing Swan Lake in 2005. The costumes generally are beautiful and fascinating, but the coolest costuming moment for me was the Hungarian dance. Look! They are Hussars! Admittedly, they are odd ballet Hussars, but enough of the elements are recognizible anyway.
You may already know that I have a bit of a thing for red shoes, and red dance shoes particularly. I wear little red dance boots on a very regular basis. So imagine my adoration of these fabulous red Hessian dance boots! With tassels and everything! Then, of course, there is all that decorative knot work on the pants, and impressive braid on the dolman, and even a peliesse (although I admit that the fabric choice is very odd for a Hussar). I don't know who costumed this show, but I absolutely adore it, especially the ballet Hussars!
I think I am developing a fairly serious obsession for Swan Lake and for Hussars. Both at once... this is too much! Add in my undeniable obsession for red dance shoes and... oh my!