The Taliban have issued a warning to Afghans after a growing fashion trend inspired by the British show Peaky Blinders, calling the outfits “un-Islamic” and a violation of Afghan cultural norms.

This unusual trend had captured the attention of many young Afghans who enjoyed recreating the British 1920s gangster look—featuring tailored suits, long coats, and the iconic flat cap. Photos and videos posted online showed groups of men posing in Peaky Blinders-themed outfits, which quickly went viral.

However, the Taliban authorities strongly disapproved. The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice stated that such Western fashion contradicts their interpretation of Islamic principles and threatens Afghan cultural purity. According to officials, promoting foreign styles encourages moral decline and weakens traditional identity.

The warning is part of a broader set of restrictions the Taliban have imposed since returning to power, covering clothing, grooming, public behaviour, and media content. Afghan youth—already facing limited opportunities and severe restrictions—now find even fashion expression being tightly controlled.

Despite the risks, the Peaky Blinders trend highlights how global media influences Afghan youth, reflecting generational differences in culture, expression, and personal freedom. While public resistance is unlikely due to fear, many young Afghans quietly continue to express themselves in small, subtle ways, hoping for more freedom in the

future.