you can wear jeans or trousers but you must not wear shorts in the Islamic republic. Of course, they are okay to wear in private places. T-shirts are fine but you are not allowed to wear sleeveless vests in Iran. Just stick to shirts and T-shirts.
The experts recalled that under the current version of Iran's Islamic Penal Code, any act deemed “offensive” to public decency is punishable by 10 days to two months in prison or 74 lashes. Women seen in public without a veil could be sentenced to between 10 days and two months in prison or a fine.
There are fewer rules for men, but you should avoid shorts - wear jeans or trousers. T shirts are fine, but you should avoid sleeveless vests and stick to t shirts or shirts. Iranian men dress smartly, more often than not in shirts.
The hijab remains the official law in Iran. But these days, all around the country, many women are going about their business hair uncovered. It's a vivid reminder of the public uproar and anti-government protests that erupted after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, was killed in police custody in September.
Such acts of civil disobedience have increased in Iran, where the country's "hijab and chastity" law requires women and girls over the age of 9 to wear a headscarf in public, since the death of a young woman in the custody of the morality police on September 16.
Until the age of six or seven, girls have colourful skirts, blouses and sometimes a little pastel scarf. From the age of 7 to about 12, most girls wear a white or black chador or hijab. When girls are around 13-15 years old it's often time for a burka. Women over the age of 60 sometimes don't bother with a burka.
Cheek kissing in Iran is relatively common between friends and family. Cheek kissing between individuals of the same sex is considered normal. However, cheek kissing between male and female in public is considered to be a punishable crime by the government, but it is known to occur among some young Iranians.
Iranian Women and Dress Code for Women in Iran. Women in Iran must always wear a long coat/tunic over their regular clothes and are required to cover their heads with a scarf. It's the law, and not only for women. Men should wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts too.
Women in Iran must cover their hair, but there are a variety of head-coverings that they wear. As a tourist, a shawl or headscarf would suffice, and there are different manners to put it on.
The issuance of permission to marry an Iranian woman with a foreign national has been delegated to the Ministry of the Interior of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In practice, this means that Iranian women must have the right to marry non-Iranian Muslims.
Iran's penal code calls for 74 lashes each for “publishing falsehoods” and “insulting agents carrying out their duties.” Flogging is considered a “lenient” punishment for crimes like adultery, where death by stoning is a possible sentence, or theft, which can lead to the amputation of limbs.
There is a consensus among Islamic religious scholars that covering the head is either required or preferred, though some Muslim scholars and activists argue that it is not required. In practice, most Muslim women choose to wear it.
Tips about safety in Iran as a solo female traveler
Iran is a safe country and there are many reasons to visit Iran. In fact, you will likely feel as secure walking around at night as you do in many other European cities. Of course, as with anywhere, take care of your belongings and know how to avoid pickpockets.
For some women, though, it isn't quite so simple. Iran may have fielded a national women's cycling team for many years now, but take to the streets on two wheels and life can quickly get complicated. Especially since leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a fatwa in 2016 explicitly banning women from cycling in public.
Iran's hijab law mandates that women and girls over 9 cover their hair, and that they hide the curves of their bodies under long, loose robes. Many women still adhere to the rule in public, some by choice and others from fear.
Dress codes
Islamic codes of behaviour and dress are strictly enforced. In any public place women must cover their heads with a headscarf, wear trousers (or a floor length skirt), and a long-sleeved tunic or coat that reaches to mid-thigh or knee. Men should wear long trousers and long-sleeve shirts.
Article 638 of the Islamic Penal Code of Iran provides the following: Anyone who explicitly violates any religious taboo in public beside [sic] being punished for the act should also be imprisoned from ten days to two months, or should be flogged (74 lashes).
Iranians called the baths Hammam or Garm-Abeh. In these baths, activities such as washing the body, rubbing, massage, body hair removal, cupping, strengthening the hair with herbal medicines, etc.
The legal aspect in Iran
In Iran, a man can marry permanently up to four women, with the consent of the previous wives.
It is rude to put your feet on the table. Burping and sniffing in front of others is considered rude. One should not touch people of the opposite gender unless they are very close family or friends.
What is known as an 'inappropriate behavior of couples in public', including kissing, hugging, etc., is severely restricted in Iran. In fact, holding hands and giving hugs are a less restricted in public than kissing. Moreover, greeting people can be different in different cultures.
The punishment for being seen in public without a headscarf includes arrest, a prison sentence, flogging or a fine – all this for the “crime” of exercising their right to choose what to wear.
in Muslim contexts
❖ Setting the minimum age of marriage at 18 is 'un-Islamic' because it goes against the practice of the Prophet Muhammad, who married Aishah when she was six years old, and consummated the marriage when she reached puberty at the age of nine.
Unlike many other forms of livestock, pigs are omnivorous scavengers, eating virtually anything they come across, including carrion and refuse, which was deemed unclean. Furthermore, a Middle Eastern society keeping large stocks of pigs could destroy their ecosystem.
Iran - Level 4: Do Not Travel
Country Summary: U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Iran have been kidnapped, arrested, and detained on spurious charges.