Fez

What is a Fez? The Fez, also known as "Fes" or "Tarbusch", is a traditional headwear that was once widespread in the Orient and Balkans, named after the Moroccan city of Fes.

This distinctive hat has the shape of a truncated cone with a flat crown and is typically made of red felt. Attached to the centre of the crown is a long tassel that hangs down the side of the cone, usually in black, blue, or gold.

The exact origin of this headwear is unknown. However, before its establishment in the Ottoman Empire, it was already prevalent along the entire North African coast, with speculation that the Fez originally came from the Greek region. Sultan Mahmud II sought to reform the official traditional attire of the imperial servants towards a more Western orientation. Initially considering the European tricorne hat, his advisors highlighted the Christian symbolism of the Trinity, leading him to reject it for his purpose. Shortly after, a shipment of Fez hats arrived from Tunisia, leading him to adopt this new headwear instead. In 1826, the Fez was officially introduced for the army and soon after for civilian and religious servants.

Even non-Muslim citizens were required to wear it, aiming for visual uniformity among the diverse population of the Ottoman Empire. Even women wore the Fez, albeit in a smaller version without the tassel.

The Fez in its original form is still worn today in Tunisia and Morocco, but it is now almost twice as tall and adorned with longer tassels than the more commonly known Fez.