Reversible turbans?

[major bill]

While researching the uniforms of companies that made up the Hampton Legion of South Carolina I found a reference to reversible turbans by the South Carolina Zouave Volunteers.

"The cap has not yet decided on, but most likely to be a red turban, lined on the inside with grey, so as to be used either way."

I have never heard of a turban that could be "used either way". How can a turban really be reversible? Well perhaps they could be reversible, but it does not sound very practical. Also I am less than sure I have seen any red turbans. I wonder if the "turbans" were really fez. This kind of headwear could be lined with grey cloth and thus be reversible.

 

[Klaudly]

I think turban was one of the ideas when the company had not yet determined which headgear to wear.
The first photograph shows a gray forage cap with palmetto. On arrival in Charleston in November 1861, the company was wearing red fez, the officers wearing black caps. I never read testimonials of reversible turbans, so I think the idea of using them was abandoned. It may be that the red fez were lined in gray and overturned for service on the field.

 

[DOswalt]

IIRC, the SC Zouaves had a reversible stocking cap/fez, gray on one side and red on the other.

 

[kholland]

While researching the uniforms of companies that made up the Hampton Legion of South Carolina I found a reference to reversible turbans by the South Carolina Zouave Volunteers.

"The cap has not yet decided on, but most likely to be a red turban, lined on the inside with grey, so as to be used either way."

I have never heard of a turban that could be "used either way". How can a turban really be reversible? Well perhaps they could be reversible, but it does not sound very practical. Also I am less than sure I have seen any red turbans. I wonder if the "turbans" were really fez. This kind of headwear could be lined with grey cloth and thus be reversible.

I have always thought how impractical fezes or, in this case, turbans were when rain and sun were considered. The whole idea of those Zouave uniforms seemed impractical.