busbies

Busbies are tall fur hats worn as part of ceremonial military dress, most notably in the British Army and some Commonwealth forces. The hat is cylindrical or slightly tapered, constructed from fur pelts such as bear skin or astrakhan, and worn without a visor. Front and sometimes side badges identify the wearer’s regiment, and many busbies feature a plume or hackle that marks unit affiliation.

The busby originated in the 18th century as a formal alternative to earlier headgear for parade use. Its exact shape and materials varied by country and unit, but in general it provided height and a distinctive silhouette for dress occasions. In Britain, the busby has been used by infantry and cavalry regiments at different times; in some regiments it has been largely supplanted by the bearskin for most ceremonial duties, while others retain the busby as a distinctive element of full dress.

In modern service, busbies are primarily associated with ceremonial duties such as parades, state occasions, and military pageantry. They remain a visible symbol of regimental identity in some units of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth nations; in many theatres they are paired with regimental plumes that vary by unit.

See also: bearskin, full dress, shako.