What does the Turkish national costume look like?

Each country is proud of its history and traditions, including national cuisine, clothing, rituals, etc. Turkey is one of the most ancient states, on the territory of which different nationalities lived, preserving their customs and peculiar attire. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Turkish national costume has undergone changes for a long time. This was influenced by the richest history of the development of the empire and, of course, the cultural heritage of its inhabitants.

Historical sketch

Since the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire has been in its heyday, and from that time on, clothing has gradually been perceived by society as an indicator of status. In appearance, any person could determine the financial status, marital status and religious views. Even the place of work or service was easy to recognize by along. By the way, almost up to the beginning of the 20th century, the Turkish national costume retained its original appearance.

Features of women's clothes

For example, the first wife of the Sultan had a legitimate right to wear only the best and most expensive attire: silk dresses with an impressive neckline, long cuts and a gorgeous belt with jeweled inserts.

Women professing Islam wore outer clothing of a free cut called "feradzha", shirts made of cotton fabric and loose pants. The most important element was the veil that covers the entire head (except the eyes) and shoulders. However, according to some researchers, the person was supposed to cover exclusively young ladies from the wealthy class, while slaves and poor girls were not obliged to do this.

A hat or a fez was put on the head, and later hot and veil entered the fashion. The clothes were sewn mostly from silk and velvet, and as for the flowers, green and blue shades were preferred.

For non-Muslims (Armenian, Hungarian, Greek), a futonella skirt was allowed in the wardrobe, trousers of a free cut of a blue shade and a headscarf.

Men's Clothing

Men, regardless of status and class, wore wide pants, shirt, caftan, jacket or jacket. Also, the upper caftan and sash were added. Pants (or "dzagshin") were worn on the naked body and girded. Later appeared their shortened version to the knees worn by the Turkish military. On top of the pants necessarily wore a shirt with a long sleeve, which was usually made of silk or cotton fabric. The caftans were also long, their hem sometimes tucked and fastened to the waist. As for the janissaries - the military - they preferred caftans without sleeves, so as not to impede movement.

After the 16th century, instead of a caftan, they began to wear a camisole decorated with embroidery and buttons, and a jacket. All this was girdled with a sash, and warriors - with a special belt made of leather and metal.

Serious changes

The Turkish national costume changed noticeably at the beginning of the 18th century. The reason for this was the cultural and trade exchange with the countries of Western Europe. For the fabrication of the ferage now use fabrics of lighter tones and lower density. Chadra also changes - there is no need to cover the face, it can freely hang to the level of the shoulders.

Homemade vestments become more relaxed, fashion includes transparent fabrics and fabrics with floral ornaments, fitted styles. At the end of the 18th century, a new thing appeared in the women's wardrobe - a shawl that was tied to the hips.

The 19th century does not bring significant changes in the outfits. Only the veil is now sewn from a transparent fabric through which decorations are visible. Also in the home attire there are corsets and collars of lace.

Reforms in clothes

Since the Ottoman Empire was always a Muslim power, representatives of the weaker sex were dressed according to Sharia law. In other words, women had to observe modesty and restraint in dresses and hide their body from the views of outsiders. For this purpose, a ferejah was invented-an outer garment (cape) covering the dress, which was worn on leaving the street. A veil was covered in the face, and a headdress under the name of turban was put on the head.

Everything changed after the 1925 reform. It was then that Turkish women were allowed to wear absolutely any outfit, which, in their opinion, was considered fashionable. This right has been enshrined in the Constitution of the country up to the present.

Distinctive elements of Turkish clothes

Turkish national costume (female and male versions) necessarily includes trousers - loose trousers, which are made of fine material, draped and decorated with complex patterns. The difference is that they are wide enough over the entire length and narrow only at the ankle level.

Another mandatory element of the traditional outfit is a long cut shirt. Representatives of the stronger sex, as a rule, tucked his shirt in his pants, and women, on the contrary, wear top of the trousers. In addition to the shirt ladies also wear a dress that looks like a bright caftan. These dresses can be made with both long sleeves and short ones. This outfit "fixes" a special belt - kushak.

What fabrics were made of the Turkish national costume? Male outfits for the most part sewed from muslin, velvet, fur, taffeta, and women's - silk, brocade, etc.

Modern national clothes

It is interesting that in every region of Turkey there are traditions about apparel. For example, in some villages lived only merchants and rich merchants, who could afford clothes from expensive fabrics. And in other villages - poor peasants who do not have extra means.

However, now, despite constant changes, Turkish national costumes, photos of which can be found in our article, have retained their overall original appearance. The first thing that catches your eye is bright colors: blue, bright blue, green, crimson, yellow, orange, etc. Men's clothing is made in darker colors, including brown, dark gray, blue, black. Shirts must be white. As for the belts, you can see on them multicolored stripes, laces of lilac or yellow shade.

Turkish clothes are mostly free cut, but the figure manages to emphasize. Women's outer clothing is often decorated with embroidery of silver or gold threads. It can be national or floral ornaments.

It is noteworthy that modern designers borrowed some elements of the Turkish wardrobe to create their collections in the oriental style. So, firmly in fashion were trousers, elongated tunics, beautiful shawls.

Shoes and accessories

It should be noted that the Turkish national costume for a girl (or woman) necessarily includes a multi-layered scarf. Sometimes young ladies wear several shawls at once, to cover their heads, neck and shoulders from prying eyes. In addition to handkerchiefs, you can see headgear with an additional front part - veil, which covers the face.

To decorate clothes and demonstrate the status in society, the dress is adorned with precious or semiprecious stones, various jewelry. An interesting piece of clothing are socks, high enough to cover your legs. They often have hand embroidery.

Men's hats are a fez or turban. Military costume for men can be recognized by short trousers. Shoes must be leather.

Suits for children

Children's national clothes in their composition are not too different from adults. So, the Turkish national costume for the boy includes trousers, a shirt, belt and waistcoat. Girls, like adult ladies, wear loose pants, a shirt (or, as it is now called, a tunic), an outer robe, a hat. On the cap for beauty, sometimes decorate, for example, small coins. Usually in a children's costume there are no expensive embroideries and rare fabrics, that is, materials are used a little easier. As a rule, dresses for toddlers are made from fabrics of bright colors with colorful ornaments.