"The ladies at Constantinople used to be extremely surprised to see me go always with my bosom uncovered," she noted.

"It was in vain that I told them that everybody did the same thing among us, and alleged everything I could in defence of it.

They could never be reconciled to so immodest a custom, as they thought it; and one of them, after I had been defending it to my utmost, said: 'Oh, my Sultana, you can never defend the manners of your country, even with all your wit; but I see that you are in pain for them, and shall, therefore, press it no further.'" Lady Mary was proud of her appearance in her Turkish clothes, and has given a minute description of them: "The first piece of my dress is a pair of drawers, very full, that reach to my shoes, and conceal the legs more modestly than your petticoats.
They are of a thin rose-coloured damask, brocaded with silver flowers, my shoes are of white kid leather, embroidered with gold.

Over this hangs my smock, of a fine white silk gauze, edged with embroidery.

This smock has wide sleeves, hanging half way down the arm, and is closed at the neck with a diamond button; but the shape and colour of the bosom very well to be distinguished through it.