1/5
Why did diverse members of diverse communities across Central Eurasia all wear a kaftan? The kaftan’s unique combination of design features provided a sartorial language that could articulate mutable social distinctions across cultures and for various social occasions
BH
2/5
Not only could personalizations be sewn into a kaftan at the time of its construction (e.g. fabric or trim placement), but the lapeled front panels were highly significant, allowing for the kaftan to be worn & styled in a variety of ways
BH
3/5
In some settings the styling of the kaftan’s lapels reinforced other indicators of social hierarchy, which happened e.g. at the Sogdian formal banquet (I’ll discuss my article about this occasion tomorrow!); at other occasions it permitted contradictions
BH
4/5
This styling and re-styling of the lapels meant that social hierarchies were not strict, but flexible. Kaftan wearers could change and express their status according to the given social situation
BH
5/5
This unprecedented fashion system meant that locals and foreigners alike could easily navigate the polycentric political landscape of Central Eurasia in the 2nd half of the 1st mil. CE
BH
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