Supposedly chaste new uniforms for Turkish Airlines (THY) cabin attendants have triggered mirth and horror in the cyberworld.

They have also sharpened debate about creeping conservatism under the mildly Islamist Justice and Development (AK) government.

With its embrace of overt piety and family values, AK is more like America's religious right than Iran's mullahs. But secularists feel beleaguered.

THY's ankle-length caftans for women and silver-brocade coats for men seem impractical. Dilek Hanif, who designed them, insisted they were "just several among many other proposed models". THY backed her claims with photos of more sensible gear.