CLOTHING

CLOTHING

It’s a country and its own amazing fabrics and styles. You can easily claim that Iranians are one of the most professional nations in setting their outfit.

Perhaps having your body covered could be the most visible mark of Iran’s Islamic leanings. Although normal, Western style of clothing is acceptable in private homes, when it comes to the public the whole story changes! Women are required to cover everything but their face, hands and feet outside.

The most usual outfit consists of a head scarf (roo-sari)to conceal the head and neck, a formless, knee-length coat known as (manteau) and a long dress or pair of pants.

The dress code can be daunting during your preparation, but roo-saris, manteaus and chādors can be bought cheaply in Iran. Watch or ask friendly Iranian women for guidance and marvel at how young women are pushing the boundaries of modesty with colourful head scarves that cover only a fraction of their hair and figure-hugging manteaus that reveal every curve of their bodies.

Men have a slightly easier time of things. Short-sleeved shirts and t-shirts are acceptable for daily wear. But less than a t-shirt is only approved at the beach.

Visiting holy sites:

Although most tourists normally come from an alternative religion or culture but your trip would be unfinished if don’t get to Iran’s amazing mosques or holy shrines, many travellers are daunted by the prospect of walking into the foreign world of a mosque. Don’t let these fears stop you, Iranians are welcoming and will understand any mistake made by ignorance.

Some mosques, and most holy shrines, require women to be wearing a chādor before entering the complex. If you don’t have one, there are sometimes kiosks by the door that lend or hire chādors. It is better for men to wear long-sleeved shirts inside a mosque or shrine, though this is not mandatory.

Shoes must be taken off within prayer areas of a mosque or shrine (avoid walking with shoes on any carpets on the ground). Busier mosques have free shoe repositories where you trade your shoes for a token. Also try to avoid mosques on the holy day of Friday and don’t photograph a mosque while prayers are taking place.