In Manisa’s Demirci neighbourhood, western Turkey, 77-year-old tailor Yaşar Öztemel is preserving and reviving striped pajama sets, a symbol of Turkish homewear from the 1960s until the late 1980s.
These nostalgic pajamas, which were formerly a common “home uniform” throughout the nation, are receiving greater attention as special orders rise, demonstrating that they are more than simply clothes—they represent an integral aspect of Turkish culture.
Öztemel’s tiny 12-square-meter store on Yağcılar Street preserves the custom, which is well-known from Yeşilçam movies and remembered for its connection to family love.
Öztemel has worked for the company for 60 years, having inherited it from his father and older brother. He continues to sew each striped pajama by hand using an antique sewing machine and traditional techniques, refusing to rely on contemporary ready-to-wear fashion, creating clothing that embodies both workmanship and nostalgia.
Because the inside of the striped pajamas are made of cotton, they are cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Öztemel says, “I try my hardest to maintain the striped pajama tradition.” “I will continue to sew these pajamas by hand as long as I have the strength, preserving both the craft and the cultural memory they carry.”
Yaşar Abi is one of the few master tailors who inherited his profession from his family, according to neighbour Nurullah Baş, who compliments Öztemel’s skill. He sews the pajama sets that were well-known decades ago, paying respect to nostalgia. He continues to receive requests to have these pajamas created from people who are interested in them.
Despite shifts in trend and the prevalence of ready-made apparel, Öztemel’s efforts have made sure that the striped pajama continues to be a cultural icon rather than just a piece of clothing. The resurgence of demand shows that traditional handicraft in Turkey is still valuable, spanning generations and preserving a portion of the nation’s domestic life in the middle of the 20th century.
Source: Daily Sabah
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