Travelling to Iran: What to Wear?
Having a clothing strategy for Iran is as important as having flights booked or some sort of accommodation pre-arranged.
It’s just one of the main parts of the planning process. Coming from a non-Islamic country, it can feel daunting to try to nail the right technique of covering yourself up in a proper way.
In this post I’m going to share the strategy that I used for my 2 week trip around Iran. I did quite a lot of research with books (like Lonely Planet - they always know), online resources and other female bloggers’ posts. And in the end, I tested it out!
TravelGeekery is no fashion blog. No pretty poses in the newest fashion trends. But when it comes to travel, we often know what we’re doing! The response to my post about What to Wear in Morocco has been tremendous. So I hope you’ll like this one too :)
Main pieces of clothing for a summer trip to Iran
You might have noticed there’s no post about packing tips here on TravelGeekery. It’s for a reason! I’m still fighting with it myself. Unfortunately I’m hardwired with the mindset that If I don’t need it, I’ll pack it anyway, what if I'll need it?
But getting there! And the trip to Iran was a great test to my skills.
I chose the following pieces to take on the trip with me:
- 2x long-sleeved T-shirt (of which one was thermo-regulating)
- 2x loose pants
- 1x pair of leggings
- 1x loose long dress
- 1x loose knee-long dress
- 2x tunic
- 3x scarf
- 2 pairs of shoes: sporty trekking sandals & Tom’s
Of these staples, I created over 10 different combinations. Enough to last 2 weeks. Not that you need a different outfit each day, though! I could have easily gotten by with removing (at least) the following items: 1 scarf, leggings, 1 tunic and perhaps even the knee-long dress.
Iran-bound flight - how to dress?
You're quite free to choose. But out of respect, you should be wearing Iran appropriate clothes already on the flight there. However, it's enough to put the headscarf on only once you land in Iran.
What needs to be covered in Iran
Generally speaking: no hair, no cleavage, no shoulders or upper arms, no legs above the ankles.
Leggings are ok as long as you have a tunic/dress/shirt covering you up at least to your mid-thighs. If you follow these simple rules, you’ll be fine.
Men have it simpler – they just shouldn’t show their legs and upper arms.
There are, however, many subtle details when it comes to women’s clothing:
Hair: In Tehran and in big cities in the North the rules are slightly more relaxed. You must have the scarf basically just on the top of the head. Your hair can get out in front.
Arms: In most places it’s fine to have lower arms exposed. Just in the more conservative South I recommend that you opt for having your entire arms covered.
Legs: It’s ok if your pants are a tiny bit above the ankles, but don’t let them travel more!
Feet: Good news! You can have your feet exposed! Use this privilege to the fullest, as that’s the only body part that can fully breathe.
Overall, you as a foreigner, are doing enough just by trying. And don’t worry if you don’t get everything right. The friendly locals will most likely warn you before the moral police does.
Did locals stare at me? You bet! But not because I’d wear something inappropriate, more so just because I stood out. And who’s not curious about foreigners in less touristy places? I would be!
Dealing with heat in Iran
Ok, it’s really hot in Iran in summer (except the mountain peaks). And you might not be used to wearing so much in such heat.
Your secret weapon? Airy fabrics! The baggier the better. Linen, cotton, … all the materials that can breathe are you friend. Stay away from polyester.
Still not enough? Bring with you a refreshing water spray. It works like charm.
How Iranians dress
Iranian ladies typically wear long pants and a tunic or a coat called ‘manteau’ reaching to mid-thighs or knees. And a scarf, of course.
They also usually rely on darker shades of clothing. Elderly ladies do pure black, younger generation throws in more colors. You can often see women with heavy makeup on, as if compensating for the inability to show their hair.
Iranian women are so beautiful! You’ll see also quite a few who’ll wear floral dresses with matching scarves. It’s the nomadic tribe members who wear colorful clothes like that.
Little girls do not have to have their hair covered. They start some time between the age of 9 and 14, so their outfits can vary greatly.
As for men, you’ll again see all kinds of outfits, but the most typical are long pants plus a T-shirt or a button down shirt. They are usually dressed very well. Most of the young Iranian men we met had PhD degrees and wore fitting button downs.
Don’t let the clothing rules bother you too much and just go explore this amazing country! You won’t believe how beautiful it is and how friendly the locals are. See my other post that I wrote about the country and its people. I was really mesmerized.
And here's a link straight to the Iran edition of Lonely Planet guidebook for you to check out.
Another good resource I found is a local girl's guide to dressing up for Iran - see it here.
You'll have to get ready for a few more things than only clothing. See a full list of Iran tips here.
Have you been to Iran or are you planning to go? Have you already been to an Islamic country where you had to cover up? Let me know in the comments!
Lovely pinners, here are some pins for you :)
Hi there!
Loved this whole post! I'm heading to Iran late June this year and am having a really hard time finding what to wear! I'll only be there for a week but am really worried about the heat as I suffer from heat stroke quite badly!
I've spoken to a few of my Iranian friends about what I should wear. I'm planning on wearing leggings with super long button up 3/4 shirts and sandals. They said this should be fine but I would love your opinion. The shirt in particular that I own is this one https://www.prettylittlething.com.au/leni-nude-shirt-dress.html
It comes to just above my knees on me and is very very loose fitting. Would this be okay to wear?
Thanks!
Hello Emily! I think the length is just on the border of being acceptable. Meaning you'll be ok in Tehran if you wear non transparent leggings. But if you plan to travel e.g. to the South, I'd suggest a longer tunic.
Also, if you have a spare pair of loose pants (actually black loose pants that are tight on the angles seem to be a trend now!), it would be even better.
Enjoy Iran! :)
Hi, I want to say that your post is incredibly accurate, I'm half iranian and have been visiting since I was 9months old (I'm 30 with 2 children and a husband now) and things have changed so much in the last 20years. The only thing I will mention is that Iranian women have been wearing heavy makeup for decades, and is nothing to do with compensating due to dress code (we just love makeup) during the Shahs time my Aunts also wore very heavy makeup along with their mini skirts :), we are visiting again this year with my children and you have given me a few extra places to add to my trip so thank you
Hello Maryam, thanks for the input! Ok, that's interesting to hear how it's with the makeup :) Do you wear heavy one too? I found the local women so beautiful!
Enjoy all your upcoming trips to Iran!
Thank you so much for your post
Iam Iranian and I deeply love my country
Unfortunately world knows Iran in different way which is not true but you are respect the difference.
My country has a wonderful places to see, come here ❤️❤️❤️
Hello Minoo, glad to see all the patriotic feelings most Iranians have :) I can't wait to return to Iran, hopefully in a few years!
Many greetings from Prague.
Great post Veronica, so helpful. I am going to Iran this October and plan to wear linen tunics. They are pink, blue and gold so hope that won't be too bright. Love the idea of the harem pants, I have something similar I can take. From what I read, the temperature will be quite variable in October so I plan to layer under the tunics if I need more warmth rather than bring a heavy sweater. Does that sound reasonable? Also - I love the printed top you are wearing in the first photo, can you share your source? Thanks.
Thank you, Laura! Yes, that sounds like a good idea to layer up under the tunics. In case the weather surprises you, you can always cheaply buy a manteau locally.
About the printed top - you mean the one in front of the tower in Tehran, right? That's a handpainted piece originally from Venezuela, I bought it on a private event in Prague. I just checked the label, but there's no brand. Sorry!
Enjoy Iran :)
Great post!
I'm so excited that you described everything so honestly and truthdully. I was thinking to myself my country is a real crap! But you made me think more real and at least be proud of the good things we have( included mostly in your other post about travelling to Iran ). We welcome all forigners to our homeland ( even the people from israel if it was not banned by our disrespectful regime ). We need tourism.(Just think about how we have survived since the revolution with a few tourists and not living way too bad!) And not only for economic reasons, nothing excites iranians more than meeting niceforigners( as you may have noticed). Maybe the lack of bars and clubs is a pain, but everything in Iran is underground. We listen to newest techno and house music and party well. But these parties take place at personal properties. We do alcohol and weed ( if you are into it though ) and party as hatd as it gets deep under the ground. Feel free to have another trip in Iran and this time explore Tehran more. (I can be there if ypu ever need help. I'm not a guide but I can help you as a translator and as a friend for free). At last I thank you again for telling the truth and I'm so happy that you had a nice time in our land.
Thank you, Dadgar. Next time I'll visit I'll need to spend more time in Tehran, I heard so much about what's going on in parties and cafes and other places, but wasn't able to experience that yet.
Thanks for reading and commenting, many greetings from Prague!
Very interesting text about my country
i enjoyed it
Hi im a iranian and i here to answer a question . I read your post and coments and i want explain why iranian have hijab its have a short answer : most of iranian beleif they beutifuly shuld just be for her husband and they dont let to other man see her body and enjoy . good luck
Dear Elia
I'm Iranian myself and I have to say your comment is just your personal point of view and not necessarily correct.
Iranian women have to have more coverage just because of the law, which everyone including Muslims and non-Muslims have to obey. It is basically so unfair and not right!
hi dear Elia. I should say that not "most of iranian" believe in what you said. Actually most of them are just obeying the law (as it is mandatory).
Thank you, I am discovering to how dress in Iran and your blog was assume
Also I found this video which an Iranian girl explain how to dress properly in Iran. I don't think we should worry about dressing in Iran too much. before I was worried a little
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvR1JgOipWg
For those who are going to visit amazing Iran:
I'm a young woman living in Iran.You DON'T HAVE TO WORRY that much about wt to wear!I personally have always worn florals and realllly bright colors,but always modest and never faced problems!!That's a matter of culture:in some cities people have a more conservative dress code but won't force you to be like them!
In Iran,we pick and choose religion!Maybe we can call it freedom.Islam is more strict with men than women!But unfortunately in Iran we do it the other way!
Islam requires a woman to be modest and not show too much skin to show a man that she is such a precious creature he can't even look at without marrying ,loving,taking responsibilities and providing her with financial rewards like Mihr and too many other ones that most men in Iran ignore! But requires a man to both cover his body and eyes.Men are not allowed to show too much skin!Men are not allowed to gaze at women and you know what a torture it is for a man!so it Is freedom:women cover cz they know men are amazed at their bodies and long to touch ,and men don't look at women to leave them free bcz they know women long to show !So as you see, in Islam ,men and women should cooperate to provide freedom for each other.Just few people do it in the world that's why we see discrimination and rape!We break the rules of the world ,yet we expect it to be a nice place!In Iran we ignore the idea of covering for a man and mostly focus on women!so that Is NOT Islam's fault,that is our fault:we pick and choose!
Hi Veronika - this is a useful and timely post for me! I head to Iran shortly for a two week tour. I’m so excited to go!! Dressing respectfully for the culture has been one of my main concerns, especially in the hot weather. I’m an Aussie, so I’m pretty used to the heat. Good to know that sandals are OK. I’m mainly thinking loose, flowing pants and long tops. Thanks!
Hello Linda, yes, great, you'll be absolutely fine like that! Thanks for reading and enjoy Iran :)