OK, what's with the dark clothing?

[CanadaMan]

Anyone who's made a trip to the FSU or been with Russians has noticed they like dark clothing.

What's behind it? Is there a history lesson that we can learn as to how this came about? It can't be just a coincidence that so many dress like that.

[ECOCKS]

The theory I ascribe to is that it shows dirt and wear less.

Not sure about the leather fixation, but maybe that "tough guy" look?

[UTRO]

The theory I ascribe to is that it shows dirt and wear less.

Yep, same reason most vehicles are a dark colour too.

[Seeker]

Absorbs and holds heat better?

[threeships]

kind of indicative of the social and economic climate.  gypsies are recognized by their colorful and flamboyant  wardrobe and  majority of  Ukrainians discriminate and have  persecuted gypsies  for generations 

[CanadaMan]

kind of indicative of the social and economic climate.  gypsies are recognized by their colorful and flamboyant  wardrobe and  majority of  Ukrainians discriminate and have  persecuted gypsies  for generations 

So far, I'd vote for your explanation. 

[CanadaMan]

Yep, same reason most vehicles are a dark colour too.

 That must have been a facetious remark right?

I think it would be neat to have a black car but I was always advised not to go there because of the way dirt shows more on darker vehicles than lighter coloured ones.
So my cars have always been the silvery/metallic look.
I can go for months without washing it! 

[Boethius]

kind of indicative of the social and economic climate.  gypsies are recognized by their colorful and flamboyant  wardrobe and  majority of  Ukrainians discriminate and have  persecuted gypsies  for generations  

Yes, Ukrainians are known for their subdued ethnic dress












My favourite - Rabbi Bleich and his family on Purim -



The first time I saw a Roma was near our apartment in Kyiv.  He was very dark, and barefoot, which was very odd.  I asked my husband if that boy was from Central Asia.  He started laughing and said "No, he's a gypsy."  

The Roma were not discriminated against by Ukrainians.  They lived peacefully, and had their own traditions.   They were persecuted by the Bolsheviks, and by the Nazis.  But even in Soviet times, they largely lived separately, at least in Ukraine (can't say for other republics).  Some Roma tribes were thieves, others were traders (illegal in the USSR), and some were intelligentsia, which also included singers and musicians (this tribe was usually taller than the other two).  The three separate tribes didn't mingle.

Today, they are shaken down by the police, but then, so are a lot of ethnic Ukrainians.

[BillyB]

Anyone who's made a trip to the FSU or been with Russians has noticed they like dark clothing.

Actually their clothes brightened up a lot since the Wall came down and they opened up to the Western World.

[Boethius]

I don't think that's true.  You couldn't find high fashion, but in the 1970's, especially, and then in the mid to late 1980's, there were lots of clothes from the West.  Jeans, beautiful wool sweaters from France, good quality shoes from all over the world (but no high heels - I remember women looking at my kitten heels all the time).  All these goods were readily available on the black market.  Plus, they had beautiful shirts in the stores, because at the time, the USSR was trading with Egypt, and they traded for top quality Egyptian cotton.  However, this was uneven and not always available.  It was hit and miss.  You'd certainly find black markets, with a wide variety of goods, in the big cities.  In towns, not so much.  It is just that it was not the norm.

I remember my astonishment at how beautifully dressed Muscovites were in 1990, which generally was a time of (artificially created) shortages.

[threeships]

Boethius, I believe the OP was referring to everyday dress and not your traditional Ukrainian dress and I am certain he is referring to the men's manner of dress... and it struck me too when I first stepped foot on Ukrainian turf...I think they wear darks and grays because it blends  in with the surroundings, and just a different state of mind than us westerners ..  I remember too they don’t often wear shorts in summer months, but the kids were

The main problems facing gypsies in the Ukraine are as in other countries, low living standards, low educational levels, unemployment, and overall low levels of integration in the economic, political and cultural life of Ukrainian society. Their relative isolation give rise to prejudices and negative stereotypes.   These negative stereotypes are often the reasons for discrimination against gypsies on the labor market, in educational institutions, in public life, in medical services etc

[Lily]

Yep, same reason most vehicles are a dark colour too.

Agree on the dirt resistance issue.

Another point would be that many Russians try to be rather 'appropriate' and think about how others would perceive them. For instance, when shopping for new winter clothing, one may think something like 'Why should I wear this light blue winter jacket? It is not age appropriate for me. Plus, it may indicate that I enjoy life. But how can I enjoy it when life is so hard to all of us?'

[Boethius]

Boethius, I believe the OP was referring to everyday dress and not your traditional Ukrainian dress and I am certain he is referring to the men's manner of dress... and it struck me too when I first stepped foot on Ukrainian turf...I think they wear darks and grays because it blends  in with the surroundings, and just a different state of mind than us westerners ..  I remember too they don’t often wear shorts in summer months, but the kids were

The main problems facing gypsies in the Ukraine are as in other countries, low living standards, low educational levels, unemployment, and overall low levels of integration in the economic, political and cultural life of Ukrainian society. Their relative isolation give rise to prejudices and negative stereotypes.   These negative stereotypes are often the reasons for discrimination against gypsies on the labor market, in educational institutions, in public life, in medical services etc

I agree with Lily.  Practicality is important, as people generally don't have a lot of disposable income.

The Roma dress the same way as Ukrainians, so your comment about them dressing brightly is what threw me.  That is traditional dress, but certainly not the way Roma normally dress, unless they are begging for the benefit of foreigners.

What makes you think Roma are not integrated into Ukrainian life?  They have chosen to live separately, it wasn't foisted upon them.   After Stalinism, they had exactly the same educational opportunities as everyone else.   My husband had Roma classmates, most of them, musicians, and he knew Ukrainians who married Roma.  However, once they did, they adopted Roma traditions and their way of life, not vice versa.

[Shadow]

People in the FSU like to wear good quality clothes, and have much less in their wardrobe as most Western people. There for the 'outdoor' clothes are fit for any occasion, and only the age and wear will show the difference between the occasion they are wearing them for.

[Doll]

I am sure the reason is to be more practical.

[SMS60]

I figured all the women would know the answer

It makes you look more slim and trim.

[RussianWind]

The theory I ascribe to is that it shows dirt and wear less.

I am afraid this is the only reason. And not the best one.

[Gylden]

Mafia wanabi's
 

[kievstar]

Be careful not to wash your car if you live in an area of salt on the roads.  Not all of the car is rust proof and after 5 years your car will start falling apart - brake parts.

I liked a black car as it is warmer and looks more professional in an SUV and sedan.  Sports car needs color.

Regarding business most men wear darker suits in the USA and Russia.

Black leather coats are usual for men in Russia and USA.

Regarding women who knows my wife and her friends always were wearing colorful clothes in Ukraine so have no idea the other women do not. 

[Mars]

. . . Plus, it may indicate that I enjoy life. But how can I enjoy it when life is so hard to all of us?'

As usual, Lily has the answer.  Clothing color reflects the mood of the person, at least in their current environment.

[threeships]

As usual, Lily has the answer.  Clothing color reflects the mood of the person, at least in their current environment.

Yes,  that is what I purport in my post up stream.

[Chicagoguy]

I took a flowered shirt over there one time and my date voted it down big time.
Also, I seldom see yellow cars and few bright cars except for real sports cars.

[kievstar]

Chicagoguy, in your avatar your nicely dressed in dark colors.  Flower shirts are more for the beach.  I see your wife (mine does too) is slowly changing you. 

Most of the cars I imported into Ukraine tended to be black.  For luxury cars that tends to be the norm or is it? http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/469625/a_recent_report_from_dupont_claims.html

[RussianWind]

Black leather coats are usual for men in Russia and USA.

Usual?
I saw them only in Hollywood movies when they show the Russian mafia 

[dogspot]

As usual, Lily has the answer.  Clothing color reflects the mood of the person, at least in their current environment.

"I wear black on the outside because black is how I feel on the inside." - Morrissey (1986)