{
  "id": 20161527,
  "title": "Iranian women defy restrictions to embrace clothing freedom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/iranian-women-defy-restrictions-to-embrace-clothing-freedom",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T11:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/style-beauty/2026-11-15-iranian-women-defy-restrictions-to-embrace-clothing-freedom/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Tehran's central market, Pariya Senyari operates a shop that caters to Iranian women's evolving fashion preferences. Traditionally, her store catered to women adhering to the strict dress code established following Iran's Islamic Revolution, which includes head coverings and long coats. However, Senyari has adapted her inventory to cater to younger customers who are now more inclined towards wearing less restrictive clothing, despite legal restrictions. She explained, \"We can't force this new generation to wear headscarves anymore—they want to be free.\"\n\nThe transformation in women's clothing has been more pronounced since 2022 protests in response to the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating dress code rules. Political and economic pressures, stemming from conflicts with the United States and Israel and rising living costs, have further contributed to this shift. Women's streetwear in Tehran now goes beyond avoiding the headscarf, including crop tops, sleeveless shirts, ripped jeans, and short skirts.\n\nHowever, Senyari notes that these freedoms have not yet been reflected in her shop's display, stating, \"We can't stock ripped jeans or put very short skirts on our mannequins. We hope that somehow these limitations will eventually be lifted.\" Despite the evolving norms, compulsory hijab rules remain in force, facing significant resistance from conservative factions. On Tuesday, Iran claimed to have arrested several individuals in Tehran for promoting the abandonment of the hijab and public nudity, following a call by judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei to address what he called \"abnormal behavior\" on Iranian streets.\n\nThe ultraconservative Kayhan newspaper recently described the removal of headscarves as a \"destructive weapon\" used by Iran's enemies during the ongoing Middle East war. Lawmaker Hassan Ali Akhlaghi Amiri dismissed claims of hijab law abandonment as \"entirely false\" and called for enforcing the rules. Niyusha, a 57-year-old jewelry store worker, observed that authorities seem to be giving people more freedom temporarily to avoid mass protests, similar to the 2022 unrest. She added, \"The authorities have given people a little more freedom for now, so that people don't make a fuss, stay in their place and say, 'Everything is fine, everything is great.'\"\n\nNiyusha currently avoids the headscarf in areas where it is not expected, but she remains cautious when in locations where hijab rules are expected. She told AFP, \"Right now, for example, I'm not wearing one here because I see other women without hijabs. If I go somewhere where I see that I have to observe the hijab rules, I have to comply. You never know—they might suddenly stop you and harass you over something trivial.\"\n\nAlireza, a 42-year-old clothing shop owner with 29 years of experience, has expanded his inventory to include shirts and shorter coats but still retains long topcoats. He noted, \"Some still wear topcoats because they hold more conservative Islamic beliefs; it really depends on individual taste and convictions. And while he does not mind restrictions being eased, he believes Islamic hijab and proper standards of modesty need to be observed, and that people should refrain from wearing revealing outfits.\" In northern Tehran, Maryam, a 38-year-old designer who sells clothing online, remarked that it's now easier to wear what one likes, but she remains vigilant about how she presents her work on Instagram. She posts photographs of revealing evening gowns, short skirts, and tight trousers in carousel form, avoiding showing the models' faces and writing her posts in English to minimize local suspicion. She expressed her apprehension, stating, \"Of course, I am afraid that they (authorities) would question me. These kinds of restrictions still exist. We can't be certain that everything is completely fine now.\"",
  "summary": "Women in Tehran are increasingly going without headscarves and wearing more revealing clothes, but shopkeepers and designers remain wary as Iran’s compulsory hijab rules stay in force",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Iranian women defy restrictions to embrace clothing freedom",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/iranian-women-defy-restrictions-to-embrace-clothing-freedom",
        "published": "2026-11-13T05:42:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}