Older men and those from traditional backgrounds often wear loose, baggy trousers made of cool cotton fabric called shalvâr kordi (Kurdish trousers), especially in the summer, or striped pajama bottoms tucked inside their socks under their outdoor trousers in the winter for more warmth. These pajama bottoms then double as indoor trousers. Women’s indoor clothing follows fashions similar to those in the West when no nâmahrams are present: T-shirts, slacks, denim jeans, with younger women generally favoring pants rather than skirts. In the presence of nâmahrams, women who wear chadors outdoors will most likely wear a patterned chador over whatever they are wearing. Women who observe the hijab rules but do not wear a chador will most likely change into a loose, long-sleeved top and long skirt, or loose slacks and scarf.
When a nâmahram man is about to enter a room or any other space where women may have removed their hijab, he will announce his arrival with yâllâh, yâllâh (an invocation of God’s name) so that the women can replace their scarves or chadors before he comes in, and he will wait for permission to enter. This permission is often expressed as befarmâ’id (at your orders).
If you would like to have an outfit made by a tailor, get a friend’s or a host’s recommendation for a good tailor. You should expect to pay a deposit when you place your order and to wait for a few days until your garment is ready. At several points in the process, for example, when the fabric is cut, at the first fitting, and when the garment is ready, you may hear the wish mobârak bâshe (may it be blessed). The answer to this wish is salâmat bâshid (may you be healthy), or simply mersi’ or kheili mamnun (thank you very much). The same phrases are used when you buy something new.
Chador: An Essential Identity Characteristic for Women in Persia
