The fez, also called tarboosh, is a felt headdress in the shape of a short cylindrical peakless hat, usually red, and sometimes with a tassel attached to the top. The name "Fez" refers to the Moroccan city of Fez, where the dye to colour the hat was extracted from crimson berries.

What does a fez hat represent?

Symbolism. The fez was a symbol not only of Ottoman affiliation but also of religious adherence to Islam. It was also the main headdress for Christians and Jews during the Ottoman Empire. Jewish men wore the Fez and referred to it by the Arabic name "Tarboush", especially Arab-Jews (mostly Syrian and Palestinian).

Why are fez hats banned?

Fez hats were banned in Turkey by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1925 because of the fez's connection to the past and the Ottoman Empire. This change was one of his many reforms aiming to establish Turkey as a modern, secular nation that was more aligned with Western ideals than Eastern ones.