Traditional Clothes in Iran

As a multi-ethnic and multicultural society, Iran has a diverse population dispersed in different parts of Iran, Even though the majority of Iranian are Persian, various ethnic groups exist in the country with their language, tradition, costumes, and clothes. Due to the diversity of Iranian ethnicity, Iranian wear embroidered designs and colorful patterns.

Traveling to Iran presents you with a wide range of clothes belonging to different cities or cultures. These clothes show the glorious Persian heritage, an immense beauty that penetrates your soul. Clothing is a vital issue from the ancient era until now in the contemporary lifestyle. Religious beliefs have significant effects on choosing the type of clothes, especially in the villages of Iran.

Traditional dress is a good reflection of history and costume which still worn among different ethics. Although after the revolution of Iran, women are forced to wear loose-fitting dresses along with a head covering, A variety of clothes is seen especially in villages, and a significant number of Iranian women are eager to follow fashion mainly in big cities like Tehran. Which are not like traditional clothes in Iran. Sophisticated and fabulous garments are a part of dressing among Iranian women. As if they dream of being seen as beautiful and charming to fulfill their desires.

Iranian girls laughing, while sitting in a park and having fun. wearing jeans, sunglasses, head covering and gown.
Let’s have a review on some of Iranian clothes to immerse in the exotic beauty of dressing in Iran:

Kurds
The essential feature of clothes in Kurdistan, the western province in Iran, is the colorful clothes from top to bottom. The dress consists of colorful designs, usually a long skirt or gown. Over which a vest or jacket is worn with bright pants and belts or colorful shoes embroidered with stones or beads.

Kurd women dancing next to each other in traditional, colorful dresses.
Jewelry is very common and all women put on accessories regardless to age.

Dowry is an old culture in Iran that is still popular among Iranian people. Old women wear expensive jewelry which their husband’s family has given to them. these gifts present the glory and pride of an old woman.

In Kurdish tribes, even though old women prefer to put on dark clothes in comparison to younger ones, Younger women wear bright colored traditional gowns and dresses

Men wear plain shirts and mostly vests or jackets over their shirts. Baggy pants as traditional clothing for men. Men usually tie a large belt around the waist to make their clothes more attractive. Kurdish people choose different kinds of clothes not only in everyday life but also in parties, ceremonies or even weddings.

Kurd men in traditional clothes of shirt, jacket and a large belt in Kurdistan, Iran.
North of Iran
Now it is a time of catching a glimpse at the culture of north of Iran. One of best tourist attractions in Iran. A region that is beautiful in four seasons. In the spring you absorb the aroma of blossoms in different colors. Mild breeze touches your skin as you dream of staying for a long time at the beaches of the Caspian Sea. In autumn immerse in the incredible beauty of colorful trees and pleasant mind breeze.

As you are enjoying the nature, women and men pass their restless days in paddy fields with traditional clothes suitable for the job.

Gilan is a famous province in the north of Iran named as a green province.

Women do not like to wear dark clothes just because of the scenic beauty of nature.

It is interesting to mention that even in a funeral ceremony, women are not willing to wear black clothes and to show their sorrow they prefer to put on ragged customs.

The main clothes of Gilak women are Chadorkamar, Shaliteh, skirt, trouser, coat, robe (Kutah-Tuman), scarf, Lachak and short skin (Gerd-e Tuman). (The last one used with traditional wide trousers narrowing of the ankle).

A Gilak family in Traditional clothing. consists of colorful, long skirts for women and head covering.
“Lachak” is another cool clothes that are a headdress like a hat, worn by older women.

Persian Gulf
The people on shores of the Persian Gulf wear distinctive types of dress concerning three provinces named; Khuzestan, Hormozgan, and Bushehr.

Women’s clothing consists of dress, head covering, trousers and shoes. They wear a common head covering of black scarf of thin silk wrapped around the head.They usually fasten the top with a metal pin.

It is common between women to cover their face, which is entirely different from the culture of people in the north, but it is still one of the traditional clothes in Iran.

Women in traditional clothing of head and face covering in Iran, near Persian Gulf
Women occasionally dye their hands using Hannah, which is a similarity between Persian and Arab culture.

Newly wed girl hand with diamond ring and hannah design
Men put on a small white or colored cap, over which a 2-meter-long cloth wrapped around the body. Older men prefer to wear white. On the other hand, young men usually put on colored ones. Wearing different kinds of shoes such as Harza, Malaki and Jufi is very common.

An Arabian old man with traditional clothing and colored cap resting on rugs in Iran.