The traditional culture of Turkmenistan is especially famous for its crafts – weaving and carpet making. A lot of Turkmen folk garments are typically hand-woven from wool, as Turkmenistan is a country of cattle breeders. Wool has always been available and cheap, besides, it’s warm and comfy to wear, so the locals used both everyday and festive woolen clothing. And one of the most ornate traditional Turkmen garments is a coat called “choga”.
Choga is outerwear for men and women. It is a woven robe, open in the front, loose-fitting, and usually, very decorative. Such Turkmen chogas often are masterpieces, skillfully woven and embroidered, adorned with a decorative border, etc. Sometimes, they’re equipped with one or a few buttons, but most often, they have no fasteners and are worn open.
Here are 2 examples of Central Asian and Indian chogas, a male and a female coat. Both are from The Met Museum.
Women’s choga from Turkmenistan, mid-19th century or earlier. Hand-woven from wool and embellished with hand-embroidery. From The Met
Men’s choga from the Indian subcontinent, about 1803-1856. Similar robes are worn in Central Asia as well. It is hand-woven using double interlocking twill tapestry weave. From The Met
