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When I go off on my travels I'm very much a comfort over style sort of girl. I have a drawer full of my travelling gear from zip off trousers, waterproofs, fleeces, walking boots to well worn t-shirts. A couple of weeks before I'm due to leave I'll have a look at what I've got, replace what I need to replace and that's me done.
However, due to the strict moral code of Iran flinging a few old faithful's into a backpack and hoping for the best just wasn't an option. I've been really stressing over what to wear. After all I've invited myself to their country so I need to abide by the rules. The rules are actually quite simple - for women the only parts of the body that can be exposed are your face, hands and feet. Not only that but the clothing you wear cannot show the shape of your body. I also have to cover my hair at all times - although I think I can take it off in the shower! This form of dressing is known as hejab, a term that means modest dressing. There are signs in public places showing officially acceptable versions of hejab from the chador (literally a tent) to manteau (a shapeless coat or coat dress) to rusari, which is a scarf that covers the hair, neck and décolletage. Whilst I'm not banking on getting arrested the gasht ershad (morality police) can fine me for not wearing the appropriate clothing - well at least I won't have to worry about having a bad hair day!
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