Women’s Clothing and Change in the Ottoman Empire in the 19th Century

Abstract

Women, one of the fundamental parts of the social structure, are naturally affected by the change and transformation of the social environment in which they live. When we look at the Ottoman Empire in general, each century has brought a unique process of innovation and change. The century in which this process of change and innovation manifested itself most clearly was undoubtedly the 19th century. This change and innovation, which gained momentum with the Tanzimat Period, was not limited to the functioning of the state, bureaucracy and management, but also showed itself in social life. It is possible to observe an important aspect of social change in the clothes of Muslim women. When examining the change in women's clothing in the 19th century, two prominent pieces were the hijab and the veil. In addition to the colorful and ornate abayas that replace the chador, the most striking aspect of the change is the transformation of the veils, which are almost identified with Muslim women, into accessories in the form of thin tulle or their complete removal. In this study, it will be discussed how Ottoman women kept up with the change that took place after the Tanzimat and how they were affected by this change, while at the same time being criticized by other elements of the society and, more importantly, trying to prevent change by the state.