Wearing a knee-length dress is so common many may be surprised that a photo of a young woman wearing one has sparked local outrage and global curiosity.

But the photographs were snapped in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, where there are severe rules for women that include keeping one's whole body, hair and often face covered.

Thousands of people are theorising about why the woman is baring her legs. Credit:Hayat Ensafi

The young woman is barelegged, wearing only socks. Afghani journalist Hayat Ensafi who took the photos said the woman was walking very quickly and did not speak to him when he tried to engage her in conversation.

"The whole city of Kabul is shocked," Ensafi told The BBC.