The transformation and evolution of women's clothing and fashion from the Ottoman Empire to the Turkish Republic (1909-1930)

Turkish traditions and customs, which shaped women's clothing originating from Central Asia, have evolved and transformed under the influence of various ethnic elements within the Anatolian geography. In other words, just as in many other fields, the Ottoman Empire both influenced and was influenced by the cultures surrounding it in terms of attire over the course of six centuries. With the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the reforms and laws introduced brought significant changes to women's social and economic status, and these transformations inevitably had an impact on women's fashion. In this study, the effects of political, social, and economic events on women's clothing, attire, and accessories are examined through the lens of periodical women's magazines and newspapers, while also drawing upon Ottoman archival documents, secondary sources, and paintings from museums. The Ottoman Empire, a state that encompassed various ethnic groups, beliefs, and cultures across a vast territory, displayed a fashion and fashion perception that varied over time and space. Given these variations, this study focuses primarily on the clothing and fashion perceptions of women living in and around Istanbul, based on the available sources. Keywords: Fashion, Women's Clothing, Ottoman Empire, Republic of Turkey.