16th C. Ottoman Empire

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Ottoman Turkish costuming is known for its elegant lines and bright colors. In Ottoman culture, wealth was displayed in the quality of textiles worn--not necessarily the style of the garment. Turks would buy the most expensive cloth possible (Scarce, 2003). Most garments preserved in the Topkapi Saray Museum are solid colors and very simply cut (Atil, 1980). Many different types of fabric were available to the Ottoman Turks in the sixteenth century. The Ottoman silk industry was well established and produced high quality silk brocades, velvets and satins (Atil, 1980). The most highly prized silk velvets and brocades were imported from Italy, and the Italians wove Turkish patterns specifically for the Ottoman market. Silk, cotton and linen are frequently found in extant pieces.

Men's Clothing

Women's Clothing

Style and Status Exhibit

Entertainment in a palace courtyard. From Sarai Albums Istanbul, c. 1530

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Atil, E. (1987). The age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. Washington D.C.:           Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Art.

Atil, E. (1980). Turkish art. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.

Rogers, J. M. (1986).  The Topkapi Saray Museum: costumes, embroideries and           other textiles. London: Thames and Hudson.

Scarce, J. (2003).  Women's costume of the Near and Middle East. London:             Rutledge Curzon.

Scott, P. (1993).  The book of silk.. London: Thames and Hudson.

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