CALASHES Meaning and
Definition
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Calashes are a type of wide-brimmed hat or bonnet worn primarily by women in the 18th and 19th centuries. These head coverings were typically made of sturdy materials, such as straw or fabric reinforced with wire, and were designed to protect the wearer's face and neck from sun, wind, and rain.
The distinctive feature of calashes is their collapsible nature. The hat is constructed with a framework of flexible supports, such as hoops or ribs, that allows the wearer to easily fold and unfold the bonnet for storage or convenience. This collapsible design made calashes a practical and versatile accessory, particularly for women traveling or engaging in outdoor activities.
Calashes were especially popular during the Georgian period, and they were often adorned with decorative elements such as ribbon, feathers, or flowers. The wide brim provided ample shade and protection, while the collapsible feature ensured that the hat could be easily transported or stowed away when not in use.
While calashes primarily served a functional purpose, they also emerged as a fashionable accessory, denoting the taste and social status of the wearer. The style and ornamentation of calashes varied depending on the period and region, reflecting the prevailing fashion trends of the time.
Today, while calashes may not be commonly worn, they remain an intriguing artifact of historical fashion and offer a glimpse into the headwear choices and practical considerations of women in the past.
Common Misspellings for CALASHES
- caleches
- caliches
- xalashes
- valashes
- falashes
- dalashes
- czlashes
- cslashes
- cwlashes
- cqlashes
- cakashes
- capashes
- caoashes
- calzshes
- calsshes
- calwshes
- calqshes
- calaahes
- calazhes
- calaxhes
Etymology of CALASHES
The word "calashes" has a rather complex etymology. It originally comes from the French word "calèche", which refers to a light, four-wheeled carriage that was often drawn by horses. The term "calèche" can be traced back to the Middle French "caleis" and ultimately derives from the late Latin word "calathi".
Interestingly, the French borrowed the term "calèche" from the English word "calash". In English, "calash" originally referred to a large, hooded carriage used for traveling. The English term can be traced back to the Spanish "calato" or "colo" (a kind of hat) and the Italian "calazziere" (a type of carter). These, in turn, derive from the Ancient Greek word "kálathos", meaning a type of basket made from reeds or straw.
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