Historical records for cloth-making in Iran go as far back as 6,000 BC. The ancient Persians stood out with a variety of colorful and flowing clothes.
Irans wore a number of unique clothes like the Chaqchur, the Kaftan, and the Kandys, which influenced fashion both in and outside Iran.
A form of belt worn by Persians called the Kamarband became known as the cummerbund in the Wester world, while Persian practices in antiquity are said to have inspired the Hijab.
Leather boots have a long-standing tradition in Iranian culture and are used frequently by both men and women.
Reforms by the Iranian monarchy in the 1930s, including the banning of veils, led to the widespread adoption of Western clothes in the country until the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Even with head coverings made compulsory after the Revolution, Iranian women still found ways to dress fashionably, from colorful headscarves to ethnically inspired dress outfits.
The strict Hijab law was a critical factor in fueling mass protests in Iran, and since 2024 the government has taken a softer stance on compulsory head coverings in public.
The tides are turning slowly, and Iranian women can now be seen in the streets of Tehran sans Hijab, ushering in a new era for fashion in the country.