The islanders, from the westernmost Ionian islands to the easternmost Cyprus, used to wear the Vraka, a type of traditional breeches.Īt the rural areas, a popular clothing was the fustanella, a traditional skirt-like garment. Political crises of the 17th century were reflected as chaos in clothes.ĭuring the period, each area had its own different clothing style. The clothing of Muslims, Christians, Jewish communities, clergy, tradesmen state and military officials were strictly regulated during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. The administrators occasionally brought about legal regulations on clothes (see sumptuary laws). Inside the Ottoman empire, Greeks were part of the Rum Millet. Main articles: Ottoman Greece and Ottoman clothing Greek merchant (16th century) by Cesare Vecellio The races in the Hippodrome used four teams: red, white, blue and green and the supporters of these became political factions, taking sides on the great theological issues. The Byzantine love for colour had its sinister side. Lower-class people wore simple tunics but still had the preference for bright colours found in all Byzantine fashions. Taste for the middle and upper classes followed the latest fashions at the Imperial Court.Īs for the colour, purple and tyrian purple ( porphyra) was reserved for the imperial dynasties other colours in various contexts conveyed information as to class and clerical or government rank.

A different border or trimming round the edges was very common, and many single stripes down the body or around the upper arm are seen, often denoting class or rank. The Byzantines liked colour and pattern, and made and exported very richly patterned cloth, especially Byzantine silk, woven and embroidered for the upper classes, and resist-dyed and printed for the lower. The Byzantine dress changed considerably over the thousand years of the Empire, but was essentially conservative.

Costume medieval wedding dress