Clothing for women riding through Iran
 

Can anyone out there offer advice on what clothing to wear as a woman riding through Iran? I'm aware of the strict 'keeping your head covered at all times' rules, but is there an easy way to manage this when you're pulling a helmet on and off? Any other rules I should know about?

Thanks!

Mo

Mo,

The only way is with a full chador, not just a head covering, and you put your helmet on top of it. Hot but absolutely required.

The Duvals sent this on their entry to Iran:
"Carol changed into her garb and immediately complained about the heat. What a fashion statement she made. Not the normal black covering but a plum (pale) gown with gold buttons and a black and white head piece bought in Tunis earlier in the year. The
men all turned their heads and the women looked on in envy I'm sure."

No problems otherwise, just be careful and remember they are VERY serious about the rules.

The lighter coloured one that Carol bought is wise as it would be cooler than the black, which is all you can get in Iran or neighboring countries.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Grant -

Thanks for the speedy reply. Yes, that's what I thought. I've spoken to a couple of women (non-riders) who've been to Iran who said the restrictions are non-negotiable. I just can't imagine all of this going on with a helmet on top - fashion statement indeed! Good to know that pale colours are acceptable. I thought black might be the only option. We're starting off in Bangladesh, where women are much less restricted, so I'll buy a fetching beige number there and hope for the best.

mo

Hi,

Since you asked <g> here's a pic of Carol in Bam in her flash purple number:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/new...Chador-Bam.jpg

Anyone else with pics of women travellers with chador, preferably on motorcycles, please send them in, I think a lot of women travellers would like to see what they are getting into!

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Re: female riders in Iran

I have been trying to find out information on suitable headgear to wear when riding through Iran and was finally put in touch with an Iranian woman who told me that the most important thing is to cover your hair - ie you can wear a short head-covering - no need for the full 'tent'. Also, these now come in various fashionable colours all of which are acceptable. I was also told that as long as I put the head covering on as soon as I take the motorcycle helmet off then this will be acceptable too. I haven't got there yet so can't verify all this but thought I'd pass on this info because it sure sounds better than riding around in the baking heat wearing a black sheet.

We've also been asking around and have recieved conflicting advice. Iranians that we meet [outside Iran] claim that a chador is not necesary, just loosely covered body and head scarf when off the bike to cover hair. Dave and Mo above who are there at present find it stricter. Could this be that Eastern Iran is stricter. Most of the Iranians we have spoken to including the Iranian consul in Wellington are from Tehran. Comments?

Hi
a couple I know rode thru Iran last year - she wore her bike gear then put on a chador once dismounted. she was then able to remove the bike gear while covering her modesty with the chador.
enjoy your trip
Chris

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ChrisC

Hello Mo,
we posted some replies on the "Females riding overland from India to Europe"-section.
You'll enjoy Iran, unlikely though it might seem from a distance.
Having a man in your company might however be a barrier to get in touch with Iranians (men and women), but if you take the chance to wander about alone sometimes, it will certainly get you in touch with the women.

Iris and Trui

I am currently riding through Iran and initially was just wrapping a scarf round my head once I took the helmet off but got stared at a lot and annoyed with it falling off and finally came up with this solution.

Bought a fitted scarf (available in any scarf shop - and there's lots) that you kind of pull over your head like a hood as well as a long thin black coat to my ankles similar to what Iranian woman wear. Total cost was 28 dollars (but I'm sure you could do it for less if you shopped about)

You can wear the scarf easily under your helmet and just put the coat on once you step of the bike. Or even wear the coat under your leathers.

At times I have just worn the hood and my jeans and a jumper and not had any hassle (ie bike maintenance in hotel courtyard) but different parts of Iran have different levels of strictness.