ABSTRACT
The Ottoman Turks who entered Constantinople 150 years after the beginning of their dynasty were accordingly dressed in fashions which represented a tradition of great antiquity extending over a large area. Serious costume studies began as European trade and diplomatic missions to the Ottoman Empire increased from the sixteenth century onwards. This chapter outlines the records for women's costume are not complete. Ottoman Turkish women played no open role in public life so that there were fewer opportunities to observe their costumes. Equipped with such a range of textiles Ottoman Turkish women could afford to be well dressed and had in any case a distinguished tradition from which to develop new fashions. Further developments of the fashions so racily described by Lady Mary may be traced by studying the figures portrayed in the albums of types and characters of the Ottoman Empire painted for European patrons.
