What is a man protecting his wife from exactly? If a man can’t even let his wife dress a certain way, that seems abusive.
In Islam, a women has to obey her husband but the husband should be merciful and understanding. If your husband tells you to cover up and be modest, you are obliged to obey him.
The Quran and Sunnah indicate that the husband has a confirmed right over his wife, and that she is commanded to obey him, treat him well and put obedience to him above obedience to her parents and brothers. Indeed, he is her paradise and her hell. For example, Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means”
[al-Nisa’ 4:34]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible for a woman to fast when her husband is present except with his permission, or to allow anyone in his house without his permission.”
Narrated by al-Bukhari, 4899.
Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) said, commenting on this hadeeth: Since it is obligatory for a woman to obey her husband with regard to his satisfying his desire, it is more appropriate that it be obligatory for her to obey him in that which is more important than that, namely raising their children, guiding the family, and other rights and duties.
From Adaab al-Zafaaf, p. 282
Ibn Hibbaan narrated that Abu Hurayrah said:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If a woman prays her five (daily prayers), fasts her month (Ramadan), guards her chastity and obeys her husband, it will be said to her: ‘Enter Paradise from whichever of the gates of Paradise you wish.’” Classed as saheeh by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 660.
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/431...omes-before-obeying-ones-parents-and-siblings