Breaking News: Pregnant Woman Fined For Wearing Hat
In some places, it’s not just the fashion police you have to worry about for wearing socks with your sandals. You could end up with a hefty fine or jail time for breaking real fashion laws that are enforced. From noisy footwear to sexist dress codes, these are the weirdest fashion laws around the world.
1. No Hats If You’re Pregnant
In Madagascar, you’re breaking the law if you adorn a hat while you’re pregnant. You’ll have to seek shade another way if you’re an expecting mother or you’ll be fined. You can’t eat eels either but that’s probably not something a pregnant woman is craving.
2. Cowboy Boots Are For Cowboys
In Blythe City, California you must prove you’re a real cowboy without having a standoff but by owning at least two cows. If you want to wear cowboy boots with your dress think again. Unless you’re a cow owner, the law states you’re not worthy of the western boots.
3. No Noisy Flip-Flops
From shirtless driving to footwear, several driving laws in Spain ban specific fashion choices. The noisy footwear law has to be one of the oddest. For safety reasons, you’re not allowed to wear noisy shoes like flip-flops while you’re driving in case you get distracted by the noise.
4. No Heels At The Ruins
Greece is home to incredible ancient ruins and it’s illegal to walk around many of them in high heels. It’s a fair law to obey, they don’t want sharp shoes damaging the monuments that are thousands of years old.
5. Don’t Forget Your Knickers
We hope this law isn’t checked often or frankly, at all, but it’s illegal to go commando in Thailand. Don’t get spotted in public without wearing any underwear or you could be dealing with an embarrassing fine.
6. Please Forget Your Knickers
In Scotland, the opposite rule applies to underpants. It’s not exactly a law but it’s Scottish tradition to wear nothing underneath your kilt. A lot of men let their bare skin feel the breezes flow under their airy garments. However, shorts are preferred by dancers and sportsmen for obvious reasons.
7. No Camouflage In The Caribbean
Most countries in the Caribbean prohibit civilians from wearing military-like clothing with disrupting patterns. Don’t go wearing your camouflage bikini on the beach, you may get arrested.
Jessica Radanavong on Unsplash
8. Leave Your Shining Armor At Home
In the British parliaments, the law still states that you can’t wear any form of armor. This law may have made sense a thousand years ago but don’t head to court courthouse in your polished knight suit if you don’t want any trouble.
9. Winnie The Pooh Has A Scandalous Outfit
Most people don’t think of Pooh Bear as a threat to fashion, but the Polish think otherwise. The scandalous bear is banned from schools and playgrounds because he is considered inappropriately dressed with only a shirt on. His bad influence might encourage kids to skip wearing pants.
10. Lace Lingerie Is Forbidden
Whether the law was put in place to protect women’s skin or not, lace undergarments are banned in Belarus and Kazakhstan. The itchy fabric must not be sewn into your lingerie and underwear must contain at least 60% cotton.
11. Bathrobes Aren’t For Driving
We wish we could wear our fluffy robes all day long but California authorities won’t like it if you’re caught driving a vehicle while wearing your bathrobe. Don’t forget to swap your housecoat for your jacket if you need sleeves for the car or you might get fined.
12. If You Can See Through It, You Can’t Wear It
Rhode Island welcomes Hollywood celebrities but not if their clothes are transparent. The state does not like sheer outfits that show a lot of skin. Steer clear of clothing made from mesh, tulle, or lace if you don’t want to break the law.
13. No Cleavage Allowed
Women in Castellammare di Stabia, Itlay have a very reserved fashion law to obey if they don’t want a fine. What defines “too much cleavage” is uncertain but it seems like you’d better cover up your chest or head to the beaches in Amalfi instead.
José Luis Photographer on Pexels
14. Speedos Only
For bizarre hygiene reasons, France has forbidden men to wear loose-fitting swim trunks in many public pools. It’s a bit of a harsh rule for a shy guy, but if you want a dip in the pool, you must be wearing your tightest Speedo.
15. No Blue Jeans
In North Korea, locals are banned from wearing blue jeans. What did poor denim do to deserve this silly law? It’s unsafe for women to wear trousers in general, they could be fined if authorities think their pants are too tight.
16. Sorry Men, No Makeup!
Sudan has several harsh rules about appearances and the no makeup law is one of them. Men are not allowed to wear makeup. A man caught wearing eyeshadow could be arrested, even if it’s at his own private party.
17. Keep It Classy In Harrods
Harrods, the poshest shop in London, will judge your clothes. Security may ask you to leave if you don’t obey their dress code. You must wear conservative, clean clothing that doesn’t show too much skin or is considered too casual for their taste. Forget about wearing ripped jeans or a tracksuit if you don’t want to be escorted out of Harrods.
18. Bikinis Are For Beaches
In many beach destinations across Europe, if you’re wearing a bikini away from the beach you could earn yourself a hefty fine. You must cover up your swimsuit if you plan on strolling down the street in places like Spain, Croatia, and the Maldives.
19. The Modest Ancient City
Vatican City is the heart of the Catholic church which can explain its strict dress code. Visitors must cover their shoulders and knees at the very least. You won’t be allowed inside the tiny country wearing a mini skirt, tank top, or shorts no matter how hot it is outside.
20. Cover Your Tattoos
In Japan, many public pools, gyms, beaches, and bathhouses won’t allow you to show any inked skin. If you adorn tatts all over your limbs, you may have to consider swimming in a onesie. Some places have bandages or skin-colored stickers you can cover your ink with.
