Turkey is a beautiful country, it has a rich history and diverse culture. The way people dress is an interesting fact about Turkey. It has traditions, climate and modern fashion trends that have influenced dressing in the country. People who are already living in Turkey or those who are planning to visit the country for the first time dress themselves in clothes that are appropriate and comfortable for different situations. In this article, we are aimed to give you insight on how to dress in Turkey whether you walk on the streets, public places, religious sites and other places such as beaches.We have also explained the facts about the Turkish tradition in terms of clothing.
How to Dress in Turkey?
In Turkey, Tourists and local people always make sure that they dress modestly when they visit any religious site or rural areas. Men and Women avoid wearing such clothes that are tight fitting and reveal their body parts.People do not wear shorts or tops that are more skinny and look inappropriate in religious places. However, British travelers should be dressed modestly during visits to the mosques and other religious places in Turkey to show respect to the sacredness of the place. Dress modestly covers their bodies respectfully and it is also important in many religious contexts in the world.
Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country and modest dressing is deeply rooted in its cultural and religious values. Turkish men wear long pants and shirts that cover their arms. Whereas, women wear clothes such as long skirts and dresses including head scarfs or “hijab”, that usually covers their hairs , arms and legs. As the faith community shows respect to the beliefs and practices of their religion, therefore, people living in Turkey and tourists focus on dressing modestly while they visit religious places. When people dress modestly, this creates an atmosphere of solemnity and sacredness of the religious place they have entered.Tourists, when they visit the sacred place, focus usually on spiritual matters rather than physical appearance and aesthetics. In this way, their attention reflects inward as they have covered their parts of the bodies. Moreover, they also connect themselves with their faith as well.
What Turkish people wear when they attend funeral ceremonies:
In Turkey, people also dress modestly on the occasion of wedding ceremonies and funerals, which shows a sense of solemnity and respect for the deceased and sympathy with his/her family members. Here are some common customs that Turkish people take care of while they attend funeral ceremonies:
Men clothing during funeral ceremony:
- Turkish men wear dark-colored suits paired with a white shirt and a dark tie.
- Sometimes, men wear black or dark overcoats during winter seasons.
- Turkish men make sure that they are clean-shaven as a sign of respect.
Women clothing during funeral ceremony:
- Women are dressed in black dresses or skirts with blouses.
- They do not reveal the attire and wear a black headscarf or veil especially if they are Muslim, which shows respect and sympathy with the deceased and their family.
Minimum jewelries and accessories:
- While women attend funeral ceremonies, they do not wear jewelry and accessories.
- Many women are observed to wear symbols of mourning i.e black ribbons or pins
What Turkish People wear on other ceremonies:
Engagements ceremonies:
Engagements are the special ceremonies celebrated in Turkey by the families, and the celebration reflects the upcoming marriage of a couple soon. All the participants dress modestly and show respect for the involvement of families.
Celebrations of Circumcision:
Foreskin that covers the head of a newborn baby boy, is removed, which is known as circumcision. It is one of the cultures in Turkey. Like other parts of the world, families host the celebrations together with guests during this occasion and wear modest dresses by covering their full bodies. Turkish people consider the event of circumcision much more significant.
Eid Celebrations:
While Turkish people celebrate Eid, both men and women usually wear traditional clothes. Men wear “şalvar” like baggy trousers. The şalvar is paired with a “cepken” or a “gömlek” (shirt). Many Turkish men also prefer to wear a traditional Turkish hat which is known as “fes”. Turkish women wear an outfit called “tesettür”. It is a long dress or skirt that is paired with a long sleeve blouse or tunic. Many Turkish women are also seen to wear a “face” which looks like a long outer coat or a “şal” (shawl) for covering their heads as part of their attire. These outfits cover their body appropriately and provide comfort and elegance to the people during gatherings and men performing Eid prayers.
Official Government Events
In Turkey, the government announces holidays on October 29th and August 30th, as these days are considered to be Republic Day and Victory Day. Anzac Day, which is celebrated on April 25th and Martyr’s Day is usually celebrated in the nation on 18th March. Moreover, during the funeral ceremonies of leaders of the country, the government also announces public holiday day. On these public holidays, both Turkish men and women dress modestly by wearing traditional Turkish clothes. During these public holidays, men usually wear dark-colored suits with a tie. However, most Turkish men wear “cepken” or a “gömlek” i.e shirt, and pair it with trousers. On these ceremonial occasions , many Turkish men prefer to wear “fes” which reflects the tradition of Turkey.
Women also wear modest and elegant dresses or long skirts that usually cover their knees and their shoulders. On these governmental occasions, these Turkish women wear a “tesettür” outfit and pair it with a blouse or tunic. Moreover, they also wear “ferace” i.e a long outer coat) that is worn over the dress which adds to their modesty and dignity. It has also been seen that most Turkish women prefer to wear an “şal” i.e shawl to cover their heads while they attend public events.
Swimming and Beachwear for Tourists and Turkish people:
Travelers love to visit beaches and perform outdoor activities such as swimming and sunbathing. Therefore, it is important to wear a dress that is comfortable and designed especially for the warm weather, but travelers should be mindful of local customs and regulations. Here are the dresses applicable for beaches:
Clothes Allowed in Beaches:
- Swimwear: Tourists which include men and women are allowed to wear swimsuits, bikinis, swim trunks, and board shorts while they swim or perform sunbathing.
- One-Piece Swimsuits: Turkish women and tourists are suggested to wear one-piece swimsuits as these dresses provide full coverage of their torso and are generally seen as modest while they walk in the beaches.
- Hats and Sunglasses: Tourists and other people living in Turkey usually wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses to protect themselves against the strong sunlight.
- Sandals: People are suggested to wear footwear that are easy to put on and take off. These foot wears make them convenient while they walk on sandy beaches. Sandals and flip-flops typically contain straps or thongs that grip the footwear to their feet. These sandals also allow wearers to quickly slip them on and off and they do not need to adjust laces or straps. You should purchase these sandals from the nearby shoe market by the name “Rainbow Sandals”. People who visit beaches usually experience loose and soft sand. These sandals help the wearers so that sand will never get trapped inside the footwear. Moreover, these flip-flops or sandals also facilitate its wearers to shake off extra sand that has entered in it or rinse them in water.People who visit the beaches based in Turkey must wear rubber, plastic and leather made sandals that are lightweight and breathable in warm weather.
- Sunscreen: While tourists or people living in Turkey visit beaches, they should bring sunscreen along with themselves so that this will protect their skin from the UV rays of sun.
Clothes Restricted:
It is also important to be aware of dresses that express nudity:
- Excessive Revealing Clothing: It is strictly prohibited for some one to uncloth himself/herself in Turkey especially on beaches. Therefore, all types of microkinis and skimpy thong bikinis are not allowed in Turkey beaches.
- Offensive Clothing: It is also not allowed for any tourist or any Turkish men or women to wear clothes that show disrespect of any religious figure such as prophet or deity which is believed to be highly offensive of that religion.When tourists adhere to these guidelines, they can surely enjoy their time at the beautiful beaches of Izmir and Antalya while showing respect towards local norms which makes sure a comfortable experience for them in the coastal regions of Turkey.
What Clothes Do people wear in the Summer Season in Turkey:
Travelers and other people who are already living in coastal areas of Turkey such as Izmir and Antalya usually experience hot and sunny conditions. Many tourists seek warm climates and beautiful beaches in these popular destinations of the country. June till September are the months in which the temperature of Antalya and Izmir soars and reaches a high maximum 35°C 95°F or even higher sometimes. The weather in these summer months is filled with clear skies and allows the entire city with abundant sunshine throughout the day.
Women’s Summer Attire:
Turkish women and tourists usually wear airy dresses that have bright colors and these dresses are paired with comfortable sandals. Soft maxi dresses and skirts are very popular in the summer season among Turkish women. These soft skirts provide style along with comfort in the heat. Turkish women and tourists who visit Turkey in summers also wear lightweight blouses and shorts.Women also wear sunglasses with wide brimmed beautifully styled hats and colorful scarves. The combination of these summer outfits also add a touch of personality.
Men’s Summer Wardrobe in Turkey:
Men living in Turkey or tourists usually wear lightweight cotton or linen shirts with pastel colors along with light weight trousers during the summer months of June. Men in Turkey love to wear boat shoes and casual sandals on their feet that offer them comfort and style.Turkish men also wear “yaka” i.e collarless shirts or “şalvar” i.e baggy trousers, particularly who live in rural areas such as Cappadocia and Kasaba.
What Clothes People Wear in Winter Season in Turkey:
Travelers and residents who live in coastal areas like Izmir and Antalya live their lives with temperatures set at 5°C (41°F). This cooler temperature brings rainfall and overcast skies as well from December to February each year.
Women’s Winter Attire:
Turkish women and tourists place warm fabrics in their wardrobes for the cooler climate. Men and women wear cozy outfits such as knit sweaters that are paired with jeans or trousers. Every man and woman wears long coats and jackets for outdoor warmth, and they wear boots or closed-toe shoes on their feets. Many women use scarves, gloves and hats with classical patterns to complete their winter look.
Men’s Winter Wardrobe in Turkey:
Travelers and Turkish men prefer to wear wool coats, sweaters and leather jackets that are paired with trousers or jeans. They wear closed shoes or boots that facilitate them with insulation against the cold weather.
Conclusion
In summary, tourists and other people living in Turkey wear appropriate dresses according to particular situations such as traditional dresses are worn during celebration ceremonies such as engagements, weddings, public holidays, religious places and funeral ceremonies. Turkish people also wear clothes meant for beaches but they keep in mind the rules and regulations while ensuring that dresses do not overly reveal their body parts. Turkish people wear warm clothes when the temperature is 5 degrees celsius and wear summer clothes during the months of June and July with temperature ranges from 35 to 40 degrees celsius.
