Want to look stylish while keeping things modest? It can be tough to find the right balance, but you’re not alone.
You deserve to feel confident in what you wear. We know it can be hard to mix modern fashion with modesty, but we’re here to help!
In this article, you’ll learn about:
- How Iranian women’s fashion has changed over time
- Ways to combine modesty with modern styles
- Simple tips for creating a fashionable, respectful wardrobe
Keep reading to discover how you can look great while staying true to your values. Imagine feeling stylish and confident every day.
By the end, you’ll know how to mix tradition and fashion with ease.
Let’s get started!
1. Iranian Women’s Fashion in the Qajar Era
Women’s Attire:
In the Qajar period, women’s clothing looked similar to what was worn in the Zand era. They wore long-sleeved dresses with slits, wide skirts with lace, and gold or silver belts.
Things changed during Naser al-Din Shah’s reign. After visiting Russia, he saw ballerinas wearing tight pants. He liked this style and changed the clothing of women in his harem. Soon, upper-class women started following this trend.
New clothing styles included:
- Shaliteh – A short, layered skirt like a ballet tutu, worn over loose trousers.
- Jubbeh & Chador – Long robes that kept a modest look.
- Corsets & European Fashion – Rich women wore tight bodices to shape their waists.
Even with these changes, traditional outdoor clothing—such as the chador, face veil, and chador-e-zan—remained common until the Constitutional Revolution.
Head Coverings:
Many women covered their hair with embroidered scarves. Some royal women wore European-style hats, showing the growing influence of Western fashion.
Makeup & Accessories:
- Women liked dark eyebrows, rosy cheeks, and kohl-lined eyes. These trends made their faces stand out.
- Gold jewelry, pearls, and decorated headdresses were popular, showing beauty and wealth.
2. Iranian Women’s Fashion in the Pahlavi Era
During the time of Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Shah, women’s clothing changed a lot. French designers had a big influence on these changes.
Reza Shah’s Dress Reforms (1930s):
- The veil (chador and hijab) was banned to make women look more modern.
- Women were encouraged to wear Western-style skirts, blouses, and suits.
- The chador became smaller, and the chador-e-zan was no longer worn.
- Traditional pants were replaced with long socks.
- Dresses became one-piece garments.
- Reza Shah made a rule that everyone had to wear Qajar-style clothing, suits, and the Pahlavi hat.
Mohammad Reza Shah’s Era (1941–1979):
- Women had more freedom in choosing clothes and followed fashion trends from around the world.
- Mini skirts, sleeveless dresses, high heels, and modern hairstyles became popular in cities.
- Many Iranian designers made Western-style clothes.
- The government tried to remove veils through cultural campaigns.
- Women in cities wore modern clothes, while women in rural areas still wore traditional outfits.
See Also Iranian Fashion
3. Iranian Women’s Fashion in the Post-Revolution Era
The 1979 Islamic Revolution changed Iranian fashion for women. New rules were made for clothing based on Islamic modesty. This also changed women’s roles and status in society.
Mandatory Hijab (1980s-1990s):
- Women had to cover their hair and wear loose clothes.
- The Chador stayed as the main choice for many religious women.
- The Manteau (a long coat) became a formal outfit for many women, especially in the 1980s.
- During this time, the focus was more on fixing social and economic problems than on fashion. This made the dress code more conservative.
2000s & Beyond – Modern Modest Fashion:
- Women started wearing looser hijabs, colorful scarves, and stylish manteaus.
- Fashion mixed Islamic rules with modern styles and accessories.
- The street style grew as Iranian women found smart ways to be modest and fashionable at the same time.
4. Iranian Women’s Fashion in the Contemporary Era
Casual & Streetwear: Many women wear loose jeans, oversized shirts, sneakers, and pastel-colored hijabs. This look is both comfortable and trendy.
Chic & Elegant: For a more refined style, women opt for long trench-style manteaus, silk scarves, and simple jewelry. These outfits are stylish but still modest.
Luxury Fashion: Iranian designers create fashionable clothing that also respects modesty. Their designs mix Persian traditions with global fashion trends.
Social Media Influence: Despite the restrictions, many Iranian women use Instagram and TikTok to share their fashion styles. These platforms help them connect with people around the world and express themselves freely.
The Influence of Mahsa Amini Protests: The protests started after Mahsa Amini died in a Tehran hospital. Anger grew at her funeral, and protests spread to 16 provinces. Even with internet shutdowns, protests continued. Social media helped spread the word.
The hashtag #MahsaAmini was shared in 52 million tweets worldwide. The protests were bigger than those in 2009, 2017, and 2019. Schoolgirls also joined in. Some thought the hijab law might change, but the government said it was just a “distraction.”
Iranian Women’s Fashion: A Recap
Iranian Women’s Fashion mixes modesty with modern trends, showing the country’s cultural roots and fresh influences.
Designers and women find new ways to blend tradition with style, adding Persian elements to everyday wear.
This combination helps shape Iranian fashion and makes it a growing part of the global fashion scene.