What Do People Wear in Turkey? A Look at Traditional Clothes

Clothing tells us a lot about a country’s past and present. While people in Turkey today wear modern clothing like jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers just like anywhere else in the world, traditional Turkish clothes still play an important role in festivals, folk dances, and cultural celebrations. These clothes are colorful, meaningful, and full of history.

What People Wear in Turkey Today

In everyday life, kids and adults in Turkey dress just like in Canada, the U.S., or Europe. Most people wear casual clothes—sweatshirts, pants, dresses, coats, and sneakers. There is no special dress code for most people, and you’ll see a mix of styles, especially in big cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

But when there is a cultural festival, national holiday, or a traditional wedding, people sometimes wear clothes from the past to celebrate their heritage.

Traditional Turkish Clothing from the Past

Long ago, before modern fashion became popular, people in different parts of Turkey wore clothes made from cotton, wool, or silk. These clothes were shaped by local weather, the Silk Road trade, and everyday life in farming villages or cities.

Here are a few examples of traditional Turkish clothing:

• Şalvar (shalwar): These are loose pants worn by both men and women. They’re very comfortable and were perfect for farm work or walking long distances.
• Bindallı: A fancy dress worn by women, especially during special events like weddings or henna nights. It has golden embroidery and bright colors.
• Yelek and Cepken: Short jackets worn over shirts, usually with patterns or decorations.
• Başörtüsü (headscarf): Worn by many women, often in colorful and patterned styles. It varies across regions.

In the Ottoman Empire period, people of different social classes had their own styles too. For example, sultans wore special robes, belts, and headdresses like the kavuk—but this was only in palaces hundreds of years ago. Today, you will only see clothes like this in museums, historical TV series, or cultural performances.

Clothing from Different Regions

Turkey has many different regions and traditions, so traditional clothing also varies. For example:

• In the Black Sea Region, women wear layered skirts and colorful scarves during dances.
• In Eastern Anatolia, men might wear patterned vests and sashes in folk performances.
• In Aegean towns, wedding dresses and celebration clothes often include gold coins and embroidery.

These outfits are usually worn during performances, holidays, or school events—not in daily life.

Learn About Turkish Culture with Dinolingo

Learning about clothing is a great way to explore culture! Dinolingo offers Turkish lessons for kids ages 2–14 using fun games, videos, songs, and worksheets. With Dinolingo, kids not only learn Turkish words—they also discover Turkish culture, food, traditions, and celebrations. Available on web, iOS, and Android, Dinolingo gives access to over 50 languages with just one account for the whole family.

Final Thoughts

While traditional Turkish clothes aren’t worn daily anymore, they remain a fun and meaningful part of Turkey’s history. They help us remember the past and celebrate identity. Whether it’s a colorful folk costume or a historical outfit on stage, these clothes continue to bring stories to life for children and families around the world.