Thread: Adventure Divas - Iran : The Cover Up

The image that many associate with typical Iranian dress is that of the full chador — where any appearance in public is under a shroud of black. Generally this means the woman is more traditional in her representation of proper hejab.


There is some room for interpretation... and always a way to show your independence, even if it's just from ankle to toe.


Both of these women are acceptably veiled, but black is considered more respectful.


This woman is a
well-to-do professional who dresses fashionably, but within the rules.


School girls are inevitably uniformed, frequently in lighter colors. This hood-like headcovering is called a maghnaeh. It has the advantage of not slipping — and of course, showing less hair than a scarf.


Scarfs do slip (and all that evil hair shows), and you have to re-tie them. And they slip again... and again. It's an annoying inevitability of the garb.


If you are interested in making a fashion statement in Iran, you start with the feet


Attitude. Hejab can't discourage a determination for style.


Hand-holding in public is forbidden. Uh huh. Right.


Not long ago it was against the law to wear backpacks — too "western." Now they're everywhere... and there's no going back.


Headscarfs are required for little girls at the age of nine, and become an accepted part — more or less — of what they wear, as well as a suggestion of who they are. What it means to be a good Muslim woman is subtly debated with each woman's representation of proper hejab. What is the undisputed truth here is that the women of Iran are more than their veils; they are happy, comfortable, strong and accomplished.