Turkmen Coat

Clothing and jewelry worn by Turkmen women was a way for them to show their status, and to symbolize their ability to bear healthy children. Traditionally women would wear trousers (balaq), a dress (koynek), a headdress (on some occasions), and sometimes a veil, sash, and coats for both indoors and outdoors. Most clothing was red and/or green. This deep green coat is embellished with multiple detailed borders. Starting from the outer edge, there is a pink silk chain-stitched border, then a 2″ panel of a woven striped silk. The innermost border is the most elaborate; crisp, geometric shapes are created using appliqué red wool, emulating Islamic architectural details. The pocket-like details on the hip are adorned with the same borders and a patch of embroidery in the center. The inside is lined with red silk and an outer border of silk ikat. There is one chest pocket on the inside made of a printed cotton. All sewn details are done by hand, with a very high level of craftsmanship. C