Bologna fabric: Italian greetings from the USSR

Bologna fabric has a unique place in Soviet fashion history. During the Soviet era, this material—named after the Italian city of Bologna—found its way into many people’s wardrobes and came to represent both style and functionality.

Bologna fabric was first created in Italy and was soon adopted by the USSR due to its distinctive features. It was perfect for outerwear, especially during the rainy seasons, because it was lightweight, durable, and water-resistant. The fabric quickly became a mainstay in Soviet closets as its popularity skyrocketed.

Bologna fabric, which combined foreign innovation with local needs, became an important component of Soviet culture despite its foreign origins. This article traces the migration of Bologna fabric from Italy to the Soviet Union, emphasizing the influence it had on daily life and fashion at that time.

History of the fabric, manufacturing process, composition

First to use the knowledge gained from making this material was the Naro-Fominsk silk factory. Bologna production started to spread to other then-USSR cities over time. Jackets and raincoats (see photo) made of it became less and less rare over time, eventually turning up in every outerwear store.

Bologna base is made of nylon, also known as kapron, and is internally waterproof thanks to a two- or four-layer silicone and polyacrylate coating. To provide a little more information:

1. The first layer is a moisture-proof coating, high-viscosity polyacrylates.
2. The second layer is decorative. The same polyacrylates, but of lower viscosity.
3. Finishing with silicones.

Bologna cloth is an additional choice. More aesthetically pleasing and marginally more costly:

1. The first and second layers are exactly the same as in the previous option.
2. Two more layers are added, in the last one – an additive of metallic powder with a shade repeating the main color of the coating.
3. Finishing with silicones.

We recommend reading a helpful article that describes polyamide as a material and contrasting it with our article’s main character.

Bologna fabric, which was brought over from Italy and was prized for its longevity and water resistance, came to represent Soviet fashion. It was frequently used to create useful, everyday clothing that was resistant to inclement weather. This article explains how Bologna fabric, which combines Italian artistry with Soviet pragmatism, became a popular material in the USSR due to its distinct texture and durability.

Description, main characteristics, pros and cons

Bologna, as we have already explained, is a fabric with a base of nylon or capron. Whenever worn, it rustles a little and is always smooth, shiny, and extremely tightly woven. Even at high densities, it can pass moisture and air slightly on its own; however, when covered in so many layers, it resembles cellophane—nothing can penetrate it or come out.

Bologna jacket fabric withstands acids and bases without hesitation, and bacteria hardly grow on it at all. able to withstand strong winds and rain. Any type of dirt from the street can be easily removed. Cotton, which is extremely light, is twice as heavy. Items composed of this material can be folded up into a tiny bundle, such as a man’s raincoat. Quite robust, but like any synthetic fabric, it will tear at the corner if you unintentionally catch on a nail and pull.

• Bologna – the material has zero vapor permeability. The body does not breathe in clothes made of it, all vapors remain inside.
• When exposed to sunlight, the moisture-proof coating gradually deteriorates.
• Bologna is afraid of frost. The coating simply breaks apart from wrinkling at subzero temperatures.

Bologna fabric starts at 150 rubles and costs 250 rubles per meter on average.

Crucial! The water-repellent impregnations of bologna are readily corroded by any organic solvent, despite its great resistance to external influences. The location of the bare Kapron will still be there after one drop of white spice, for instance.

We also have an interesting article about neoprene, which is a novel textile market.

Application and care, cost

Naturally, Bologna is not limited to those who created Bologna fashion coats during the USSR’s conscious era (which they wore for photos), jackets, and raincoats. Although they are still sewn today, the fabric is also used to make a lot of other items, with the possible exception of a women’s dress:

• Pants, capes, windbreakers, parks, vests.
• Umbrellas.
• Backpacks and bags of Bologna fabric.
• Tourist equipment.

Bologna clothing doesn’t need to be cleaned specifically. The most important thing is to stay out of the direct sunlight, organic solvents, and frost. Often, a thorough cleaning is not necessary because street dirt can be easily removed with a water stream. You can also use any kind of sponge and detergent (but not bleach). You can let the water out of the jacket by hanging it on a hanger instead of wringing it out.

Additionally, since we’re discussing water protection, we recommend that you read this other article that discusses various waterproof materials to carry on the conversation.

Bologna fabric is more than just a substance; it’s a special fusion of Soviet functionality and Italian artistry. Because of its resilience to weather and longevity, it was an indispensable item in Soviet daily life, providing warmth and shelter in any kind of weather.

Bologna fabric is a nostalgic nod to a period when practicality was paramount, even though it may not be as widely used as it once was. Its legacy lives on in contemporary textiles, demonstrating the timeless quality of well-designed objects.

Bologna cloth is a fascinating chapter in the history of fabric innovation, regardless of your interest in textile history or your simple appreciation of fine materials. It is a timeless piece of fashion history, as evidenced by the influence it continues to have on modern designs.

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