Newsletters
For the past 50 years, Nureddin Ortacal has been a striking figure in central Türkiye, known for his impeccably coordinated, colorful outfits.
The Nevsehir resident has earned the nickname “the colorful mustache man” for his distinctive style, carefully matching his shirts, pants, belts and shoes.
Ortacal, who was born in Nevsehir’s Hacibektas district, discovered his passion for vibrant clothing as a teenager when a red shirt-and-pants ensemble he wore drew admiration from others.
Since then, he has remained devoted to bold, harmonious colors, favoring shades of red, yellow, white, turquoise, and blue.
He often has single-color outfits custom-made by his tailor and even commissions bespoke shoes and belts to complete his look.
“Since I was 13, I’ve worn colorful clothes. It’s just a passion,” Ortacal told Anadolu Agency. “Even if someone gave me jeans and a T-shirt, I couldn’t wear them. It has to be colorful.”
Ortacal said that dressing in bright colors gives him confidence and joy, and he has no plans to change his signature style.
He enjoys the attention from family, friends, and strangers, sometimes stopping for photos while out walking.
“I’ve been dressing like this for 50 years,” he said.
“Wearing colorful clothes makes me happy. When I enter a room, people notice me. Feeling their gaze, I stroke my mustache. It’s priceless. My mustache used to be one and a half meters long, but I cut it in 1992 when I started working in road construction.”
Even during his construction work, Ortacal would change into his suits after work, saying, “Once I wear them, any weariness disappears.”
Metin Sertbakan, his tailor for 21 years, says Ortacal’s vibrant personality has inspired some younger customers to adopt bolder colors in their own wardrobes.
“Uncle Nureddin is one of the most colorful people in Nevsehir,” Sertbakan said.
“Among my customers, his style is unique. We love him, and so does the city.”
1 min read
