A research on the investigation of samples of underwear in Topkapi Palace Museum

The collection of clothes at Topkapi Palace Museum are considered as one of the world's richest collections. What makes the collection special is the fact that most of the items in the collection belong to the members of the dynasty. These items at the museum have been the subject of much research as well. However, there is no research study carried out on underwear among the research on the clothing culture of the Ottoman Empire. This study, which investigated the underwear items at Topkapi Palace Museum, aims to determine the characteristics of the items of underwear, as well as their differences from conventional underwear. As a result, it also aims to contribute to the introduction of cultural values to today's and future generations. The inventory records of the collection at Topkapi Palace Museum were examined and gömlek (shirts used as underwear), don (trousers used as underwear), zıbın and diapers were examined as items of underwear. These products were examined using the clothing examination form, their photos were taken, and their features were determined in terms of pattern, sewing, fabric and decorative features. The research universe comprises the underwear items kept at Topkapı Palace Museum. Whereas the sample of the study consists of the 22 pieces of underwear that were allowed to be examined. Photos of products, product features, and technical and pattern drawings made by the researcher are presented in the research findings section. Specifications of the products are presented and discussed through the tables of frequency and percentage. It was found out that cuts were used in a limited fashion in patterns; parts of the products were combined using hand stitch; and, especially quilting was extensively used as a technique. Silk and woven cotton were used as fabric, while white and cream were the preferred colors. In addition, most of the items were simple in terms of decoration since most of them were found to be men's clothes. Underwear products included in the study as compared with the conventional underwear products, folk costume involved don (trousers used as underwear) and göynek (shirts used as underwear), whereas no items were found among folk costume products similar to zıbın and diapers. It was revealed that the items were similar in terms of pattern, sewing, and fabric, whereas there was variation among the underwear items in terms of decorative properties. In addition, quilting with cotton-pads were not used in folk costume underwear items. Keywords: Clothing, Underwear, Folk Costume, Ottoman Clothing, Topkapi Palace Museum