It's hard to imagine how D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers rush through Paris and beyond without hats with huge feathers. For generations, the plume has adorned shacos and helmets worn by American bands and drum corps. Fashionistas and women of fashion decorated all sorts of hats and other headdresses with huge feathers. So what is a plume and what is its history?
Historical background
The word "plume" comes from the French plumage (plumage) and is used to designate the decoration of a headdress. A trimmed feather plume is called a crest, often it has a decorative purpose. It has served a variety of purposes in military culture over the years. It is known that such plumes, worn on helmets, which almost hid the face of a soldier, indicated his loy alty. Some gave them military commanders, while others were used as regalia or the designation of special military units.
Military plume appeared thanks to fashionlate 1600s. Men in those days were like peacocks and wore conspicuous things in bright colors. By the 1960s, most school bands had uniforms and regalia that included a hat and plume. The design styles of the American marching band nibs were based on those worn by military personnel and were heavily influenced by European styles dating back to the Napoleonic era.
Initially there were only four plume styles and only a few colors. The sizes varied from 10 cm to 20 cm in height. With the advent of professional drumming corps and changing trends in the music industry, fashion designers have introduced new plume styles.
Eagle feathers
When most people think of an American Indian headdress, the first thing that comes to mind is the eagle feather crown. For centuries, Native Americans have viewed the eagle as their connection to the Creator of all life and have used its feathers for religious and aesthetic purposes.
A crown of 12 white feathers with black tips was considered ideal. Catching eagles was a dangerous part of the hunt that required great skill. Among some tribes, only certain men were tasked with killing birds.
