This is something that you probably won't find anywhere else, but is absolutely necessary for any WW1 Ottoman Impression from Gallipoli onward.
Introduced in 1909 to replace the bright red fez, the kabalak became the iconic headgear of Ottoman soldiers during World War I—from the trenches of Gallipoli to the deserts of Sinai and Mesopotamia. Inspired by traditional Caucasian bashlyk hoods, its wrapped olive-khaki folds offered camouflage and heat insulation, while the rear flap shielded the neck from sun and wind. Its brimless design also allowed Muslim troops to pray without removing their cap. As wartime shortages grew, simplified soft-wool field versions like this one replaced rigid wicker-framed models for easier mass production and comfort in the field.
These reproductions are made from 100% wool, and feature a 100% cotton linen lining, exactly like the originals. I can almost guarantee you won't find these reproduced anywhere else, especially accurately, so if you have been looking for one, or are putting together a Ottoman Impression, it would be a good idea to snag one.
ORDERING: These are a pre-order item, and take approximately 12-16 weeks to get to you. Yes, that's a while, but these are all hand-made by a professional tailor using premium materials and require a lot of time (and fabric really) to make correctly. They are 100% worth the wait, and often arrive sooner than the allotted time, but please allow for that amount of time.
The base price is for the hat itself as shown in the 4th picture. Unwrapped as-issued. Wrapping these is a very tedious process to do, and requires the hat to be "blocked" and sewn a certain way to maintain the "look". I offer blocking/sewing services for an extra fee as it's labor intensive and takes a few days. If you want the "look" right out of the box that will hold its shape, then the fee is worth it, but if you want to figure out how to wrap it yourself, you can save a few bucks.
