If you are reading this article before your Iran trip, it means you are an educated professional traveler who reads about customs and social norms before traveling to a new country. Here is a guide about the hijab in Iran.
The new Islamic rules after the revolution in 1979 impelled women to have Hijab outdoors. The form and the face of this phenomenon have been refashioned but the core proposition is the one Islam has defined centuries ago.
Foreign tourists are expected to dress like Iranian inhabitants and respect the rules like they do in any other country they visit.
The article below guides you to have a clearer idea about the hijab and what to pack before you get on your plane to Iran.
You might also be interested in the article: Dress code in Iran
The main form of hijab in Iran
The idea is to cover the whole hair, arms, and hands up to the wrist and legs to the ankle. In the past, women used to wear Chador to cover up the whole body except the face, with a large piece of cloth. Nowadays, women still wear a black chador in the streets. This is more common and customary in religious cities such as Qom, Mashhad, Yazd, and Isfahan.
Today, the popular form of hijab for people is to have long trousers, knee-length manteau, and a headscarf.
Young girls in Iran
Also, read solo travel in Iran
What to wear in summer
Spring and summer are the colorful seasons of the year. There are uncountable options to choose to wear in hot seasons in Iran. Due to the high temperature, it is recommended to put on a layer of cotton clothes. For instance, a long sleeve loose shirt and a long skirt or a long dress would be great. Moreover, wide-leg and palazzo trousers come out into the market during the summer.
Many foreign tourists wonder if it is OK to wear colorful, floral or paisley clothes in Iran. The answer is a big fat YES!
It is absolutely fine to wear any color you like, with any patterns you fancy. The hijab is about covering the body; there is no limitation on the design.
Iranian women’s hijab
The other frequently asked question is if there will be a problem if they wear sandals in Iran; Definitely Not.
It is pretty common to wear any kind of sandals in summer. In general, your shoes are not going to make you any trouble here!
Also, read Traveling to Iran in summer
What to wear in Winter
Winter fashion is already compatible with the hijab. The only thing to add is a headscarf or a hat that covers the hair fully.
Hijab in Iran
Hijab for Children and Babies
Oh no— that’s not gonna happen. Basically Islam says that girls should start wearing the hijab from the age of 9. However, in Iran, girls usually do so almost when their body gets mature like a woman. If you are traveling with your young daughter, you can pack her some long jeans and loose T-shirts or shirts. Hijab rules are less strict for young people.
Do not miss out our article about 7 Persian myths that are holding you back from travelling to Iran
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Iranian women
Hijab for men
Yes, that’s right! Men also need to follow a dress code when traveling to Iran.
Short trousers and tank tops are not socially accepted here. However, shoes, Tshirts, shirts, and trousers in any color would be fine for male foreign tourists in Iran. Keep in mind that in beach cities the atmosphere is different; are the rules mentioned above are taken less seriously there.
Is it ok to show a little hair with a hijab?
Iranian girls
The Islamic rules say no, but in the real daily life of Iranians you will see a different thing. It is no problem to show a little hair when you have your scarf on.
Also, read 7 Necessary tips to consider before travelling to Iran
Can I loose my headscarf?
You do not have to tighten your scarf and make yourself uncomfortable. It is acceptable to loose your scarf as long as you manage to keep it on your head.
Hijab in Iran
Can I lose my headscarf?
Nope. As long as you are spending time outdoors you need to keep the headscarf on and keep your arms and legs covered.
If you have any specific questions about the dress code in Iran, feel free to contact 1stQuest support team at [email protected]
Well, thanks, for this complete guide, I want to travel to Iran next month.
Hi, I’m quite confused. I am aware that women should cover the majority of their hair with headscarves in Iran and your blog deals with the subject comprehensively. I also note from videos and news reports from Iran over the years that all women are obliged to follow these religious rules. Yet when I watch IRAN INTERNATIONAL overseas TV channel in France I regularly see atttractive Iranian newsreaders and reporters in the TV studios without any headscarves and showing their hair as you would see in the likes on France 24, BBC, CNN, SKY etc in the West.
It seems like “double standard” to me to perhaps portray to foreign viewers a more enlightened and liberal Iran which, plainly, is incorrect.
Perhaps to us in the West you can explain how on overseas Iranian TV its OK to show your hair but in the street its a no no ?
Hi Gordon, Once you get out of the borders, you are not obliged to toe the line! Hijab is obligatory in Iran not for Iranians!
Hello
Yes, it is true, as an Iranian who supports the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I must clear your doubts and remind you that these networks are anti-Iran and intend to destroy and divide our country, they are not the right source to follow. . These are not Iranian news and they make things look upside down, please don’t listen to them
Hi I have a few questions.
First off, the website mentioned that shorts are not allowed in Iran and that skirts are. Is there a certain length that a skirt has to be? (ex. ankle length)
Second, the website also mentioned that it is perfectly ok for a woman to walk around Iran with hair showing. But when I look at someone like Mahsa Amini, who was killed in 2022 at the age of 22 due to police brutality because she wasn’t wearing her Hijab correctly (she had hair showing from her Hijab), I get confused.