Traditional clothing

Kazakh traditional clothing is an important and integral attribute of Kazakh culture. The main materials from which Kazakh clothes were made were cotton, wool and felt. Also being nomads, Kazakhs often made garments from skins, leather and furs, as they were best suited for the harsh conditions of the steppe.

Boots were used as footwear: in summer the Kazakhs wore light boots made of thin leather, and in winter they wore high boots made of rough leather protecting from the cold. Women's boots were green or red, embroidered with silk and decorated with small patterned plaques.

Men's clothing

The Kazakh men's clothing included a shirt and trousers, a robe (shapan) was worn on top, a hat was worn on the head (in the winter - tymak, and in the summer - kalpak). At the same time, shapan was considered one of the most important elements of men's clothing, showing the status of a man. Shapans could be of various thicknesses and colors.

Women's clothing

Women's traditional costume included a loose-fitting dress with a camisole or shapan robe on top. Usually, women's clothing was sewn from chintz, silk and velvet. A thin felt was also used. During the cold weather, women wore fox or lamb fur coats.

Embroidery was actively used in the decoration of Kazakh outfits, along with beads, felt, silver plaques and various embroidered patches.

"Photo taken from open sources"

Headgear

Saukele is a unique and distinctive headgear that occupies a special place in the traditional Kazakh clothing. Saukele was worn by Kazakh brides and it was the most expensive and beautiful element of a wedding dress. Saukele was cone-shaped, decorated with pearls, corals, turquoise, gems and small coins. At the top of saukele, which was about seventy centimeters high, was a bunch of owl feathers. Saukele was supplemented with special “zhaktau” pendants, they were long and could reach the waist and below.

After the wedding, a married woman's costume was complemented by “kasaba” hat embroidered with elaborate golden patterns. As soon as a woman gave birth to a first child, she began to wear a white “kimeshek” turban.

It was customary for men to wear a felt hat called “kalpak”, as well as a skullcap cap called “takiya”. During the cold weather, men and women wore “boric” fur hat or “tymak” sheepskin headgear.

"Photo taken from open sources"