Skip to main content

Turkish folk costumes reflect roots from the Balkans, Central Asia

The folk costumes of Anatolia show great variety, but most have two things in common: they consist of layers and they open at the front.
TurkishClothes.jpg

The folk costumes of Anatolia, which originate from the area of the Balkans to Central Asia, show great variety, but most have two things in common: they consist of layers and open at the front, to allow both men and women to lead an active outdoor life.

Fatma Koc, associate professor at the Faculty of Arts and Design at Gazi University in Ankara, told Al-Monitor that for centuries tribes that came from Central Asia to Anatolia continued wearing their traditional attire. “There are two crucial features [of folk costumes] across the region, one of which is that the outfits consist of layers. The other is that they were not sewed up at the front.”

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.