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Turkey: Ottoman fashion - Turkish lady with maid servant, painted by Jean-Étienne Liotard (1742)

Turkey: Ottoman fashion - Turkish lady with maid servant, painted by Jean-Étienne Liotard (1742)

The clothing of Muslims, Christians, Jews, clergy, tradesmen, state and military officials was strictly regulated during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent (1494-1566). Political crises of the 17th century were reflected as chaos in fashion. The excessively luxurious compulsion of consumption and pretentiousness in the 'Period of Tulips' lasted until the 19th century. While the 'sarık' was replaced by the 'fez', many people also began to wear trousers, 'setre' and 'potin'.

During the 'Tanzimat' and 'Meşrutiyet' periods of the 19th century, common people of Ottoman Turkey kept to their traditional clothing styles, presenting a great contrast with the wealthy who wore 'redingot', jackets, waistcoats, boyunbağı (ties), 'mintan', sharp-pointed and high-heeled shoes.

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