Albanian Long Vest

When Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to the beginning of the 20th century, many aspects of Turkish culture and dress were adopted by Albanians. In rural areas, men still may wear the fez, a traditional Turkish cap, while women wear embroidered blouses, aprons, vests and jackets in the Turkish style.

The surface of the fitted vest is covered in lateral strips of recurring motifs of boteh and stylized poppy flowers. Metal cord embroidery with dark hued velvet. The edges and backside of the is trimmed in linear geometric embroidery.