{"id":3206,"date":"2016-05-26T15:31:29","date_gmt":"2016-05-26T15:31:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelcake.site\/?p=3206"},"modified":"2025-04-28T18:19:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T18:19:07","slug":"what-to-wear-in-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelcake.net\/en\/what-to-wear-in-iran\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Wear in Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preparing for my trip to Iran turned out to be more interesting than expected \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and not just because of the itinerary.
How do you dress in a country where showing your hair in public is illegal?
Despite having done serious research, I still felt unsure about the outfits stuffed into my backpack. I crossed my fingers they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153decent enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and figured I could always buy something more appropriate if necessary.<\/p>\n

I traveled in Iran at the end of autumn. With temperatures dropping significantly, covering up didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel unnatural \u00e2\u20ac\u201d though your experience might be different if you visit during the warmer seasons.<\/p>\n

I\"Iran<\/a><\/p>\n

Enjoying the Iranian autumn scenery<\/p>\n

Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a short and practical guide on what to wear in Iran:<\/p>\n

MEN<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As so often is the case, the dress code for men is easy: everyday<\/strong> streetwear, no shorts or flip-flops<\/strong>. That’s basically it\u00c2\u00a0
Long-sleeved cotton or linen shirts work perfectly: roll up the sleeves when it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hot, look relatively classy, and blend in with the sharp-dressed locals. Iranian men care about their appearance, and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll want to keep up.<\/p>\n

\"Iran<\/a>
when it comes to dressing culturally appropriate, men always have it easier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

WOMEN<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is where it gets a bit more complex.<\/p>\n

HEADSCARF (hijab)<\/strong><\/p>\n

By law, women must cover their hair in public \u00e2\u20ac\u201d in the hotel lobby, in restaurants, basically everywhere except in private spaces like your room or a friend’s house.
There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no rule about color: bright, dark, neutral \u00e2\u20ac\u201d anything goes.
Most women opt for pastel or dark tones, often plain or with a subtle pattern.
Tip for a noob:<\/strong> Avoid silk scarves; they slip like crazy. Go for cotton-based scarves \u00e2\u20ac\u201d much more hijab-amateur-proof.<\/p>\n

\"loosely<\/a>
wearing loosely wrapped headscarf. I quite enjoyed not having to brush my hair every day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Note:<\/em> In the cities, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll notice many Iranian women wear their headscarves far back, showing lots of hair \u00e2\u20ac\u201d a quiet form of resistance. As a visitor, you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be judged as harshly, but I still recommend covering most of your hair, but if a few loose strands peek out, that will be just fine.<\/p>\n

MANTEAU (Coat or Overcoat)
\n<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>
The manteau \u00e2\u20ac\u201d a lightweight coat that covers your clothing and hides your figure \u00e2\u20ac\u201d is your new best friend.
No need to panic-buy a manteau: a trench coat, loose parka, oversized cardigan or cloak<\/strong> will do.
The key is to make sure it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s long enough to cover your hips and bum<\/strong>. Tight-fitting clothing is a no-go for outer layers, but underneath your manteau, you can pretty much wear whatever you like.<\/p>\n

\"MANTEAU<\/a>
my old trusty parka as a manteau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"not<\/a>
baggy pants and oversized lengthy sweater revealing zero curves<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Make sure to:<\/p>\n