Known as the world’s most secretive state, North Korea’s laws are pretty terrible. ‘Terrible’ would be an understatement as it takes away the fundamental rights of its people and forces some bizarre totalitarian rules on them. Recently, North Korea banned residents from wearing tight pants, as part of a broader crackdown on foreign pop culture.
Reuters
While human rights violations happening in North Korea have always made news, another addition to the list is fashion bans or restrictions made by the ruling party. Here are some of the styles banned in the country because they are deemed as symbols of a capitalistic lifestyle.
1. Tight Pants and Skinny Jeans
Unsplash
North Korea is banning residents from wearing tight and skinny pants, as part of a broader crackdown on foreign pop culture. Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un has issued a fashion decree after increasing numbers of young people were spotted wearing skinny jeans.
Kim Jong-un’s regime has long railed against Western influences affecting its socialist way of life.
2. No long hair for unmarried women
CNN/Getty Images
In North Korea, Married women are instructed to keep their tresses short, while single ladies are allowed to let loose with longer, curlier locks.
3. Leather Trench coat
AP
According to RFA, Authorities in North Korea have reportedly banned people from wearing leather trench coats, saying that it is disrespectful to emulate the fashion choices of the country’s leader Kim Jong Un.
4. Branded T-shirts
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Branded clothing including T-shirts is banned in North Korea as it’s a sign of western culture influx, hence it’s banned in the country.
5. Spikes, mullets and dyed hair
Kim Jong-un is in a self-proclaimed war against capitalism. As a result, he took the decision and banned spikes, mullets and dyed hair to keep the western influence out of the country.
6. Horn-rimmed glasses
Reuters
The favourite glasses of Kim Jong-un are banned in the country so that no citizen can wear glasses similar to him.
7. Ripped Jeans
Like Skinny and tight jeans, authorities of North Korea also banned ripped jeans as it followed western culture.
8. Mao-style suit
AP
After Horn-rimmed glasses, the North Korean leader also banned the modern Chinese suits which is the trademark style of Jong Mai.
9. Nose piercings
For women in North Korea, nose and lip piercings are forbidden in the country.
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