Dress code in Iran

[aaron]

Is there anyone here that has visited (or resides in) Iran? Apparently the country has a struggling tourist industry because it is plagued with the image of being unsafe.

But another issue that is apparently putting tourists off is the strict dress code for women. Should travelers just accept that that's the way it is if they want to visit, or should Iran make efforts to be more inviting to foreign visitors if they want tourism to grow, even though that might threaten Islamic morals?

Aaron
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[bartoha]

no problems at all, long shorts an that is all

see: <web address removed>

[aaron]

This wasn't an invitation to advertise, bartoha...! Please read the forum rules on advertising before posting again.

Thank you

Aaron
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[hellotheer]

As a woman, you have to cover your hair when in public, and also not wear tight clothes. As a man, you should cover your body sufficiently.
In hot temperatures this can turn out to be quite annoying.

Otherwise, it is not difficult to adhere to the rules.

[Shandy]

two of my collegues (of the previous company I worked for) have visited Iran. Women need to take a passport picture for the visa with a scarf on. Needleass to say that this was already much cause for humour in the office.

Both enjoyed their trips immensly. They did have to wear pants (jeans or any other not too tight pants). Generally one nees to wear loose clothing and close shoes. The locals actually don't actually abide by these rules and often wear open shoes, have hair sticking out etc. But it is advisable tor tourists not to do that. Iranians are very hospitalble and friendly. Things we get to see on TV are not as they appear. i.e. demonstations are usually staged.
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[wildnomad]

I've travelled through Iran a few times and as a female you do have to abide by the local laws and cover your head. To be honest, as a traveller you adapt to the rules of a country and adhere to the local dress codes anyway, so I suspect that it's a fairly ignorant traveller that would refuse to travel there because of it. In terms of safety, Iran is an incredibly safe place as crime rates are low (except for the trading of prohibited items on the black market) and nearly everywhere is safe to walk around on your own.
Nat

[volkersche]

i think Iran is quite conservative with that scarf things
and Iranian woman will be sentenced to death by stoning for adultery while adultery is not even a crime in many countries
but if you follow the no-revealing-clothes rule, it'll be fun

[Rita.G]

I dont mind dressing modestly in a country if thats the custom (no short skirts or low cut tops) but I dont like being forced to cover up completely and while I wouldnt rule it out, that kind of attitude twoard women would discourage me from visiting. But thats my choice, I think the real question should be should they relax the strict dress code for the women who live their and dont have a choice not tourists who can put up with it for a week or two on thier holiday.

[yellow01]

You wear that is like you, do'not worry about dress code . You need to wear that is your realy choice.

[aaron]

[edgardbaron]

Everyone above has mentioned some vital things that you shouldn’t ignore. Iranians are generally friendly but you got to abide by their rules to gain that hospitality.

[StephanG]

A female friend of mine visited recently and was pleasantly surprised by the local hospitality. I think she was very abiding to the rules, but surely we should do that everywhere we go.

[Copper]

Iran is a Muslim country but not as of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In KSA Islamic wear is very important, women can't be reveal to anyone but in Iran is a little way differed to this. Shirts,Pants for men is ok. Women has to cover themselves but not to cover their face. Iran is a well moderate e country.

[petermueller]

Be that as it may, but the image Iran sends to the Western World is just the opposite. They don´t seem to care even a bit about international pressure to give controllers access to their nuclear sites, they keep hitting the war drums against Israel and the leading candidate for June´s presidential election seems to be a hardliner, not a positive prospect for a supposedly moderate country. (Sounds like a tirade against the "bad" Iranians, but that´s not intended, just what you hear of Iran when you listen to our media )