Habit of a Grecian Woman of the Island of Metylene in 1581

by Thomas Jefferys

This exceedingly rare engraving of 1757 by Thomas Jefferys, based upon observations from the late 16th century, presents a unique perspective on the “Habit of a Grecian Woman” from the island of Mytilene (Lesbos).

This engraving is a representation of the unique clothing style worn by a woman of the Aegean region during the time of the Ottoman Empire and as described in 1581 in Jefferys’ classic work, A Collection of the Dresses of Different Nations.

The clothing style can be understood for its intricate layers and elegant construction: The Headdress, The Outer Garment and The Silhouette. This image is not only an illustration of a fashion, but of a culture of the Greek Diaspora.