TRADITIONAL COSTUMES TURKEY

The earliest sources found in the history of Turkish clothing date back to the miniatures and wall pictures uncovered in Central Asia. Sources of 100 B.C. reveal that woolen and cotton fabric was woven on handlooms but silk came from China.

The Turkish way of living at that time brought about functional clothing styles. As the horse was the common and inevitable form of transport in the daily routine, women's and men's wear resembled each other (unisex). Leather and felt materials had priority due to natural and social conditions. In addition to these materials; shipskin, fur and woolen materials were major constituents in clothes of that period.

The Seljuk Turks emerged from Central Asia, establishing dynasties in Iran and Asia Minor by the eleventh century. Clothes of the Seljuks were produced from materials such as wool, felt, camel's hair, fur, cotton and silk. The varied climate conditions in Anatolia required clothes to be used in all conditions.

The native Seljuk hat, boerk The Seljuk coat, yalma

The traditional Turkish ensemble for either men or women consisted of loose fitting trousers (şalvar, don) and a shirt (gömlek, mintan), topped by a variety of jackets (cebken), vests (yelek), and long coats (entâri, kaftan, üç etek).

Loose Fitting Trousers (Şalvar)

A Shirt (Gömlek, Mintan)

Jackets (Cepken), Vests (Yelek)

Long Coats (Kaftan, Üç Etek)

OTTOMAN EMPIRE PERIOD Ottoman imperial style was not dominated but inspired by other cultures in the course of centuries, such as the Chinese, Mongolian, Persian, Arab, as well as the Byzantine, Hungarian, Italian, and Austrian. The Sultan's court was the melting pot for all of these influences.

Ottoman Male Dress a shirt (gomlek), inner garment (entari), Ottoman male dress of high rank was distinguished by features such as length, colors, and patterns. a shirt (gomlek), inner garment (entari), sash (kusak) metal belt (kemer), baggy trousers (salvar), outer garment (kaftan) high boots (basmak), shoes (mest).

KAFTAN A kaftan is a man's coat usually reaching to the ankles with long sleeves, and which buttons down the front. It can be made of wool, cashmere, silk, or cotton. It is often worn with a sash. The kaftans were worn by the Ottoman sultans. One of the most splendid collections of kaftans displayed at Topkapı Palace in Istanbul.

The Costumes of the Sultans Catma kaftan of Mehmet the Conqueror (1444-1481).

Satin kaftan of Suleyman II (1687-1691).

Satin kaftan of Suleyman II (1687-1691).

Childhood kaftan of Ahmet I 16th century.

Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent adorned in a Kaftan of complex woven fabric .

Sash (Kuşak) or Metal Belt (Kemer)

High Boots (Basmak), and Shoes (Mest)

Traditional Turkish Stockings The stockings were worn in Anatolia until not very long ago. Wool is the raw material of stockings. Their motifs and colors are like a silent language.

19th century Turkish dresses

.                                                                                                                                                                       

YASHMAK A yashmak, yashmac or yasmak is a Turkish type of veil worn by some Muslim women to cover their faces in public.

FEZ The fez was initially a brimless bonnet of red, white, or black with a turban woven around. Later the turban was eliminated, the bonnet shortened, and the color fixed to red.

A Kütahya Bridal Headdress

A Bridal Headress from İzmir-Bademler

BINDALLI At the beginning of the 19th century, dresses known as bindallı made usually of purple or dark red velvet, and embroidered with floral motifs in couched and padded gold work known as dival, were favored as wedding dresses and for other ceremonial occasions.

Traditional Turkish Dresses

Traditional Turkish Clothes

Traditional Turkish Clothes

Women in some villages continue to wear all or parts of their traditional dress, especially for ceremonial events such as weddings. In most villages, the baggy trousers (salvar) are worn by the woman sometimes with a skirt over the top, a long-sleeved blouse or T-shirt, a sweater-vest, and a headscarf. In the urban areas of Turkey, men and women wear typical Western clothing.

Current Traditional Clothing in Turkey

SOME PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE COSTUME WORKSHOP