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Writer's pictureFERYAL BULUT

Ataturk's Fashion Sense: Pioneer of Elegance and Modernity


Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkiye, is known not only for his political leadership but also for his modern and elegant clothing style. has come to the fore. Atatürk's fashion sense, which is a reflection of the modernization process of the Republic, is one of the remarkable issues of today and its period. According to Ataturk, clothing was not just a matter of aesthetics. Clothing was a symbol of modernization and westernization, and therefore, if we look at the fashion sense of Ataturk, who always paid attention to his clothing; We see that it has an iconic style that embraces Western styles and reflects modern Turkiye. In choosing clothes, Ataturk was the most fashionable of the period. He preferred reputable tailors and brands.



Ataturk used to have clothes made especially by famous tailors in London. Ataturk preferred Savile Row, which is considered the pinnacle of tailoring art. Famous tailors of Paris also had an important place in Atatürk's clothing preferences. In the early 20th century, Paris was considered the capital of fashion and Ataturk would place special orders from the tailors there. Ataturk's clothes were generally custom-made, and his suits, jackets and trousers were made from the highest quality fabrics. He would also favor elegant and classic lines when choosing ties and shirts. Ataturk received professional help in his dressing style, and style consultants and tailors played an important role in maintaining his elegant yet modern appearance.


One of the people who helped Atatürk with the preparation and arrangement of his clothes was Quartermaster Mr. Hafız.



Jean Pastré, one of the tailors known for custom tailoring in Paris, also prepared many of Ataturk's official clothes. Ataturk's clothing style, which always attaches importance to looking stylish, is known for its details in elegance.

(In the left Ataturk and Quartermaster Mr. Hafız.)


He usually paired his suits with high-waisted trousers and completed his look with single- or double-breasted jackets.


He preferred white shirts and elegant ties in his daily and formal wear. With the hat revolution, Ataturk pioneered the elimination of the fez and the use of Western-style hats.


Panama and fedora hats are models that Ataturk frequently preferred.


Today, we see that the elegant and unique fashion sense of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who is still an inspiration for many people, is used as a reference in official ceremonies and events. With his sense of fashion, Ataturk became the symbol of elegance and modernity and inspired us by representing the new face of Turkiye. The brands and tailors he used helped to reflect his elegance and style to a significant extent, and also showed us that he was not only a fashion icon, but also his style as a symbol of modernization and westernization.






By Feryal Bulut







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